If you had the opportunity to "cure" yourself of a "disease", would you be so bold to do it? If it meant I would no longer be Flatulent Man, then I might consider it. Other mutants are facing a similar question and each of them has to look inward to find their own answer in X-Men: The Last Stand, the third installment in the X-Men movie franchise.

Director Bryan Singer, who helmed the first two movies, passed this one over in favour to do Superman Returns. That left a huge hole in the directorial chair which was quickly filled by Brett Ratner. The question of whether or not Ratner could deliver the goods, in light of Singer's departure, became a source of debate. Many had already deemed the movie a failure because of the change.

Despite the new guiding hand overlooking the film, it would be hard to destroy the X-Men franchise. That is, unless your name is Joel Schumacher. Other than that, it's up for grabs whether the ship sails or sinks.


X-Travaganza

Ratner pulls out all the stops in X-Men: The Last Stand and it shows in this huge undertaking. One thing that he can’t be faulted on is the amount of action he packs within his movies. This one is no exception. But when it is all said and done, when you strip away the battle scenes, the rest of the film is just average at best. Nothing really stands out. Why? Because there are too many cooks in the kitchen.

One of the problems when handling the X-Men is the huge ensemble. It’s hard giving everybody equal time on the screen and actually make it worthwhile. Sir Ian McKellen (Magneto), Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier), Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) and Halle Berry (Storm) really made the most of what they were given.

I had such high hopes that Xavier would finally get to be featured prominently in this movie as he as either been in a coma or in a coma in the last two films. The beginning of the film looked very promising for Professor X but alas, his role was cut too short. Still, he did have a major impact on what transpired especially when it came to the problem named Jean Grey.

And it was evident with comic book fans that Jean Grey didn’t really perish at the end of X2: X-Men United. The anticipation that Phoenix would make an appearance was met with excitement and trepidation at the same time. How would the writers fit Phoenix into this continuity?

Since the comic book dealt with aliens and the godlike Phoenix Force entity, it was certain that introducing that new element to the movie would be confusing and very expensive. So things were quickly established early in the movie that Charles Xavier (Healthy and walking about) and Erik Lehnsherr visited a young mutant named Jean Grey. Her ability was of Class 5 levels, something of a rare distinction in the mutant classification. This was a concern to Xavier and he proceeded to put mental barriers in Jean’s mind. This was done so she would be able to control her abilities, for she had a dual personality forming within her as well that was dangerous—the Phoenix. Unfortunately for everyone, the Phoenix was finally unleashed and the true extent of her power was frightening and very powerful.


The Cure for Mankind’s Sake

Amidst the rising of the Phoenix, a “cure” has been found to eliminate the mutant gene and bringing salvation for the diseased. This sparks a controversy on both sides among the mutant camp as some are ready to live normal lives as regular people, while the rest are offended that they are looked upon as lepers.

Warren Worthington II holds the key to this cure and his company has manufactured this serum for mass distribution. He has done this to mainly cure his own son, Warren Worthington III, of this affliction that has been bestowed upon him since he was a young boy. What the elder Worthington doesn’t realize is the political ramifications and civil unrest that this announcement will lead to if not brought through the right channels.

But how is this key to living a normal life affecting those with mutant powers who see it as a curse? Rogue is tempted by this possibility if it means being with her boyfriend and finally getting to properly touch him without harming him.


Here, There Be Mutants Everywhere

It was obvious from the get-go that everybody and the kitchen sink were going to find screen time in some fashion. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the best solution. Some characters got to shine and some just faded away.

I really didn’t like Professor X’s limited screen time even though he had a huge impact. I felt Patrick Stewart kept getting the bum deal with this gig and was hoping this movie would be a redemption of sorts for him. It almost happened but then it was quickly extinguished. He was so close.

Wolverine will always be prominent because… well, he’s Wolverine. I’m glad Halle Berry Got to do more with Storm and really show her assertive way. This was a Storm who took charge of the group and made her presence known becoming the leader that she is. McKellen is always brilliant as Magneto. I’m glad he was featured in all three movies.

A welcome addition is one of my favourite X-Men characters of all time—the Beast. I was delighted when I first heard that Kelsey Grammer was going to play the loveable furball, and he did a wonderful job in portraying Dr. Henry “Hank” McCoy. It was a great move to have the Beast serve as U.S. Secretary of Mutant Affairs, a liaison to bridge the gap between human and mutants. It was also established that McCoy was a former student (and perhaps one of the original member) of Xavier’s group.

Dr. Hank McCoy: My boy, I've been fighting for mutant rights since before you had claws.
Logan: Did he just call me boy?

It’s too bad other mutants such as Iceman, Rogue, Angel, Shadowcat, and Colossus got limited exposure. Heck, even Cyclops’ appearance was the briefest of anyone. This was the case of throwing in too many characters, despite their function or lack of it in the movie, just to please the fans in some capacity. Unfortunately, it left an unsatisfied taste in the mouth. To have the likes of Psylocke, Multiple Man, Callisto, and even Juggernaut appear and really do nothing spectacular was a waste. This was a time when deconstruction was needed.


X-Tras, X-Tras

The biggest game to these Marvel movies is finding Stan “The Man” Lee’s cameo appearances. He’s the Waldo of these films, at least concerning the movies featuring the characters he’s created. It wasn’t hard to spot him this time as he was in the beginning portraying one of Jean Grey’s neighbours. He was credited as being the “Waterhose Man”. Also, longtime X-Men writer Chris Claremont joins in the fun as another neighbour. He’s dubbed as the “Lawnmower Man”. I wonder if they were supposed to be mutants as well.

Of course, who could miss the “Fastball Special” (that’s when Colossus throws Wolverine into the air), and it happened twice! That one was definitely for the fanboy.

The end of the credits leaves room for a surprise and a potential sequel if anybody decided to tackle the situation. It definitely has potential and will make for an interesting story if done right.

I understand that X-Men: The Last Stand was loosely basing part of the script on Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s successful storyline called “The Dark Phoenix Saga”. Obvious changes were made in order for the story to make sense on the screen. I’m still debating whether it worked well with “the cure” storyline as well. I felt either one of these topics should have been solely addressed for this movie instead of both. The repercussions, however, were staggering. Some mutants died and some lost their powers. This is nothing new in the world of X-Men, nor is it in the comic book realm. As anyone knows (hint: the avid comic book reader) no one stays dead or powerless forever.

That’s the sequel right there... the wrath of the comic book fan.


Other Comic Book Movies
Batman
Batman Returns
Batman Forever
Batman Begins
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
The Batman Superman Movie
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Spider-Man
Superman: The Movie
Superman II
X-Men


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older