CinemaDave - 2006 Review of "X Men the Last Stand"

From Aristotle to George Lucas, trilogies have been a
part of community drama. "X-Men The Last Stand" marks the end of
a story line about mutants in American. It is a good movie,
but it lacks the inspirational moments of the previous X-motion pictures.
To appreciate the finer moments of "X-Men the Last
Stand," one should see the original "X-Men" and "X2."

This film takes off where the last movie left off.
Wolverine (High Jackman) is taking on more
administrative duties as a instructor at the "Xavier
School of Gifted Children." Storm (Halle Berry) is
also taken on more responsibilities since Scott (James
Marsden) has been grieving. The job
of the good mutants to to teach morals and ethics to
the students of this special school founded by
Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Eric Lensherr,
alias Magneto (Ian McKellan), a criminal mutant who
can control metal.

When it is announced that Dr.Kavita Rao (Shoreh
Agdashloo) has found a cure for mutants, Magneto
takes offense and seeks to prevent the curing of the mutants.
This upsets the President of the United States (Josef Sommer)
and he begins to investigate this national security issue.
Magento takes further offense. Though a happy mutant,
Professor Xavier seeks a diplomatic solution for the
mutant cure with Dr. Hank McCoy (Kelsey Grammer).
Magento recruits more self obsessed mutants to his
cause and a new cultural war begins in San Francisco.

There is a feeling of finality with "X-Men the Last Stand,"
many of the actors have contracts that expire
and so do their characters. However as the closing credits suggest,
this is not the last "X-Men" movie to be screened. Stay until the end of the
credits to view an important scene for a possible “X-Men 4.”

The new characters (but old favorites to comic book mavens) are endearing.
Kelsey Grammer is perfect as the cultured "Beast," a creature of decisive
action when pushed. The helmeted Juggernaunt (Vinnie Jones)is an
unstoppable force who can only be outwitted by a girl
who can walk through walls, Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page).
Angel (Ben Foster) only has wings, but it annoys his
father (Michael Murphy) enough, that his Daddy bankrolls
the Anti Mutant Vaccine.

Presenting science fiction with a Gene Roddenbery
influence, the "X Men" travels the road of controversy
under the cover of metaphor. Issues of medical
ethics, genetic research, immigration and xenophobia
are explored. As the Master Villian, Magneto is somebody you can
sympathize with at first, but you realize his actions
are only for his own selfish gain. The cause loses
credibility by his terrorist actions against a sickly child.

"X-Men the Last Stand" suffers from the high
expectations that dogged movies like "The Godfather
Part III," "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the
King," and "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the
Sith." At least "X-Men the Last Stand" has some great
character building moment with at least two scenes in
which you can cheer a hero's actions.