X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Brett Ratner

Writers (WGA):

Simon Kinberg (written by) &
Zak Penn (written by)

Release Date:

26 May 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Take a Stand

Plot:

When a cure is found to treat mutations, lines are drawn amongst the X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier, and the Brotherhood, a band of powerful mutants organized under Xavier's former ally, Magneto.

Plot Keywords:

Mutant | X Men | Battle | Outrage | Surprise After End Credits

Awards:

4 wins & 29 nominations

Cast

Hugh Jackman	...	Logan / Wolverine
Halle Berry	...	Ororo Munroe / Storm
Ian McKellen	...	Eric Lehnsherr / Magneto
Patrick Stewart	...	Professor Charles Xavier
Famke Janssen	...	Jean Grey / Phoenix
Anna Paquin	...	Marie / Rogue
Kelsey Grammer	...	Dr. Henry 'Hank' McCoy / Beast
James Marsden	...	Scott Summers / Cyclops
Rebecca Romijn	...	Raven Darkholme / Mystique
Shawn Ashmore	...	Bobby Drake / Iceman
Aaron Stanford	...	John Allerdyce / Pyro
Vinnie Jones	...	Cain Marko / Juggernaut
Ellen Page	...	Kitty Pryde
Daniel Cudmore	...	Peter Rasputin / Colossus
Ben Foster	...	Warren Worthington III / Angel

Also Known As:

X-Men 3 (Singapore: English title) (USA) (working title)
X3 (International: English title) (informal short title) (USA) (promotional abbreviation)
X-men - L'engagement ultime (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence, some sexual content and language.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

Canada | USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES | Dolby Digital EX | SDDS

Certification:

Finland:K-11 | UK:12A | Denmark:11 | Norway:11 | Sweden:11 | Germany:12 | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | New Zealand:M | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Brazil:12 | Ireland:12A | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42477) | Hungary:16 | India:A | Netherlands:12 | Malaysia:U | Chile:Y7 | Italy:T | Hong Kong:IIA | Iceland:12 | South Africa:10M | South Korea:12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | France:U

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Mike Vogel was up for the role of Angel, but could not take the part because scheduling conflicted with Poseidon (2006).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Magneto drops the bridge, Magneto then flies above the bridge to avoid the impact. The Impact is hard enough to crush several buildings on the island, but apparently none of the Brotherhood or the cars on the bridge seem to have been disturbed by falling 100 feet to the ground below.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Eric Lensherr: I still don't know why *I'm* here. Couldn't you just make them say yes?
Prof. Charles Xavier: Yes, I could, but it's not my way. And I would expect you, of all people would understand my feelings about the misuse of power.
Eric Lensherr: Ah, "power corrupts" and all that. Yes, I know, Charles. When are you going to stop lecturing me?
Prof. Charles Xavier: When you start listening. And you're here because I need you.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Heroes Unmasked: When Worlds Collide (#2.4)" (2008)

So you don't want to be a mutant...

Who wouldn't want the ability to walk through walls or fly away into the sky? Who wouldn't want to be able to lift cars hundreds of feet into the air or turn a cloudy day into a gorgeous sunny afternoon? For some this is a dream come true. For others than can't function without destroying their natural way of life, it is a curse. The premise for the latest installment of the X-Men saga is just that.

X-Men: The Last Stand goes deeper into the mutant versus human controversy. All of the favorites are back with the addition of some needed support. The main focus of this film is the introduction of a vaccine that can rid a mutant of its powers. It is called, "The Cure". Magneto, played once again by Ian McKellan, gathers his Brotherhood for a war on the mankind once more. His eyes are fixed on the one person who holds the answer, a small, innocent child with a gift so powerful, Magneto will risk everything for it.

Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) upon hearing gathers his group of X-Men to stop the menacing Magneto. He is short a few of his troops from the last film. Cyclops is still lamenting over the loss of his dear Dr. Jean Grey. When he can't take it anymore, he drives out to where he last saw her. Her voice has driven him to the edge until she appears. Who he meets isn't Jean, but her true self; Phoenix. She is Jean's alter ego, the most powerful mutant Charles or Magneto ever encountered.

Director Brett Ratner of Rush Hour fame delivers an action packed, special effects driven adventure. His style is unlike that of the previous X-Men films. His version is more along the lines of a regular action flick. A lot of explosions, stunts galore, and a so-so script. What made the other films enjoyable was the emphasis on the characters. This film has almost too many to include. Although some weren't present and some don't make it, there are too many side stories going on than are needed.

The mutants are always a blast to watch. Hugh Jackman returns to his old guns, relying on witty remarks and vicious attacks on unsuspecting victims. Somehow it doesn't get old. Kelsey Grammar is introduced as Dr. Hank McCoy, better known as Beast, a blue skinned, blue haired genius who wants nothing more than this war to cease. Also introduced is Angel, who sadly doesn't play too much of a role. On the other side of the battle is Juggernaut (Vinnie Jones). A one man wrecking crew whose momentum is unstoppable to the strongest of obstructions. Beside him is Callisto, a speedy little devil whose impact is virtually just filler. There is more emphasis on characters like Kitty, the girl who can walk through walls, and Collossus, a metal strongman, and less emphasis on Rogue and Mystique.

Without these characters in play, the film is special effects driven. Impressive CGI graphics and and intelligent use of the mutants powers go a long way in the making of this film. Characters like Storm (Halle Berry) rely solely on the effects provided by Ratner and his team or visual effects artists.

As far as summer blockbusters go, this film isn't one to be trifled with. It presents a lot of aspects that a blockbuster should have: a lot of big name actors, reliable story lines, stunning effects, and most importantly, an appeal to a large audience. The movie might be a little bit mature for children, but comic book fans and fans of the films will thoroughly enjoy this. The only remaining question left is; will there be another?