Directed by Brett Ratner
Written by Simon Kinberg, Zak Penn
Starring Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammer, Rebecca Romjin, James Marsden, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, Vinnie Jones, Patrick Stewart, Ben Foster, Dania Ramirez, Ellen Page
Genre: Action / Fantasy / Sci-Fi / Thriller
Country: USA
Runtime: 104 minutes
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for violence

Evaluation: 7/10
by Greg Ferguson





The universe of the X-Men Mutants is the most fascinating of the comic book settings but also the most complex and problematic for the purposes of the cinema. A world where a class of people with potentially harmful super-powers coexists with average humans with relative acceptance and harmony is entirely unrealistic if not absurd for the vast political, religious, and criminal implications alone, yet there's an element of optimism and excitement to it that appeals to those of us who have ever felt the powerlessness of being an outsider. Balancing the fantasy with all of the social intricacies of such a reality is a delicate undertaking but necessary considering the story the creators of the series want to tell, and thanks to the direction of Bryan Singer, the first two films in the franchise handled both aspects quite capably. Having since jumped ship to helm Superman Returns, however, affable Hollywood meathead Brett Ratner (the Rush Hour films, Red Dragon) was enlisted for X-Men: The Last Stand, the third and probably final entry. Longtime fans and followers - myself included - grew concerned over the months following the news of the switch, worried that he would derail the momentum that had been building from the start with his notably less sophisticated approach to filmmaking. Going in, my expectations were pro-actively lowered, and I think this helped me enjoy it for what it was almost inevitably bound to be: an overreaching effort that's stretched thin and too eager to please, yet affectionate enough toward the characters and their lore to inspire goodwill among viewers.

Yes, The Last Stand is a mixed success, boasting a fairly hefty screenplay with a pivotal crisis in the history of Mutancy which centres around the discovery of a young Mutant boy named Leech (Cameron Bright, a dry displeasure who should have availed himself of the opportunity to take pointers from fellow castmate, and former child actor-cum-Oscar winner, Anna Paquin). His power has the unique quality of being able to permanently suppress other Mutants' X-genes, effectively "curing" them of their respective conditions. This prospect appeals at once to those Mutants who would rather blend in with regular people (like teenage misanthrope Rogue, a de-facto Grim Reaper to anyone she touches), and repulses others, who resent their powers being likened to an illness and fear such a cure is the first stage of their eventual eradication. As it turns out, this may not be far from the truth as anti-Mutant politician Warren Worthington II (Michael Murphy) has restricted Leech to a research facility on Alcatraz Island and begun replicating his nullifying agent to secretly arm police with guns that fire off doses of it.

No less important is the timely discovery of Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), thought to be dead at the end of X2 but revived as Phoenix, a subconscious personality of hers that unpredictably unlocks and wields enormous destructive power capable of annihilating people and buildings. (That she resembles an ex-girlfriend of mine was truly terrifying beyond anything you'll see here or in the forthcoming comedy My Super Ex-Girlfriend. I'm sure some of you will understand.) She becomes a key player in the rift that develops in the Mutant community between Dr. Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and with his X-Men, who want to control Jean's psyche and mentally block Phoenix from posing a threat as they continue their activism for Mutant/Human homogeny, and Magneto (Sir Ian McKellen), who assembles a band of followers to wage war against the Alcatraz Island in vehement and resolute protest. In either scenario, the fate of Mutants seems to be sealed, and the question of where will one stand when the end comes is a matter of controversy over defending one's ideals and "by any means necessary" self-preservation tactics. Asked to align myself with one side, I'm not sure I'd have a ready answer.

None part of this wonderful set-up should suggest that Ratner be completely off the hook where this film's merits are concerned, though. In his hands, The Last Stand spends a token amount of time sketching out the many provocative issues the writers raise then sacrifices them wholesale in a mad dash toward the final extravagant action setpiece, after which the plot's several loopholes are sloughed aside like a bachelor's dirty laundry before a third date. Of course, figuring that the film's more contemplative side would be abandoned for the slick cartoonish action was a no-brainer considering his pedigree, so it's really only half a disappointment. I can't be too upset with him. Ratner fumbles with his direction like an over-zealous and unpretentious tyke who hasn't learned how to string a coherent story together yet. We get the basic idea and smile at him for trying, so there's no harm done, but there must come a time soon when we have to stop humouring him for not knowing any better. Otherwise, he'll turn out weird when he grows up.

(X-Men: The Last Stand is currently playing at the Crystal Palace 8 Cinemas, located at 499 Paul St. in Dieppe, and at the Empire 8, Trinity Drive cinema, located at 125 Trinity Drive in Moncton.)