X-Men: The Last Stand

Last Stand Stands Up
Adam Valen Levinson
Freelance Movie Critic
      Simple algebra: X3 is one X more than X2, which is in turn X more than X1. In other words, X-Men: The Last Stand is three times X-ier than the original.
      What does this mean? For starters, more mutants. The range of imaginative, comic book powers is enormous, from the incredible note-taking skills of one student to the awesome, all-encompassing power of the Phoenix. At times, it is overwhelming to have hundreds of mutants showing off their powers, but X3 aims to amaze, and it hits its mark.
      In addition, the same comic book-style dialogue present in the first two installments is loud and clear in this one. Apparently, along with the “x-gene” that provokes the fantastical mutations comes a profundity gene that provokes predictable conversation. Imagine any statement of urgency. Now, repeat it and change some pronouns around (“It’s what we want.” “No, it’s what you want.”). You’ve written the screenplay. But if you don’t let it get to you, it’s not only hilarious, it works. The fanciful, imaginative style of the X-Men franchise is one that is deliberately overdone in a way that is bold and exciting, and more importantly – fun.
      With San Francisco as a backdrop, the self-titled homo superiors take on the military in this final (would they really stop after making almost half a billion with two films?) chapter. The “old friends” compete once again, this time for the partnership of the telekinetic psychic, Dr. Jean Gray. If the cliffhanger in X2 didn’t give it away, the previews for Last Stand did: she’s back. When the government develops a “cure” that will rid mutants of their unique abilities, Magneto (Ian McKellen) unites a band of outcasts that will inspire tolerance by exterminating homo sapiens. A Holocaust survivor attempting to clear space for a master race? Perfect!
      The X-Men must come to terms with their mutantness while genocide (in both directions) threatens to destroy the world. Like the prequels, there are love triangles that strain the characters’ bonds, even among the most noble freaks; X3 manages to hold its ground on an emotional and moral as well as visual level. Thanks to the Phoenix, the story line creates a door to an uncharted territory where normal physical laws do not apply.
      My advice: don’t think too hard (“how can Wolverine move his wrists with his claws retracted?”), it takes away from the adolescent exuberance that makes Marvel movies as exciting as the comic books they come from. Sometimes, as with Spiderman and The Hulk, the movies took themselves too seriously, so the audience did too, looking for the traits that typically make “good” movies. But X-Men 3 has evolved – a movie that can be simultaneously deep, intense and downright silly.
      With Wolverine, a spin-off of the films, starring X-Men’s Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), The Last Stand is certainly not the last we will see of these lovably destructive characters.

———————————

X-Men: The Last Stand
104 Minutes
Release Date: May 26, 2006