Stellar final act to the previous two movies (X-Men - The Last Stand (DVD))

Member Name: Dando83

Product:	X-Men - The Last Stand (DVD)
Date:	06/06/06 (117 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb cast returns, cool new mutants will have fan boys drooling

Disadvantages: Short running time, advisable to watch previous two movies

I'm going address what seems to be the predominant gripe about the film first -- the short running time and fast editing doesn't leave any opportunity for character development especially of the new mutants we haven't seen before.

I won't lie to you, this is true. The editing is super slick and we don't learn much about any of the characters save for Jean Grey (red-headed Famke Janssen). You saw her die in the last movie didn't you? Or as Magneto would say "Are you sure you saw what you saw?" If I've spoiled this plot point for you I apologise.

Is this a bad thing? Movie critics looking at this as a standalone movie would say yes. If you've not seen the other X-movies, you'll think this is a brainless action pic not worthy of your attention. You'll be screaming "Bring back Bryan Singer (he was replaced by Rush Hour's Brett Ratner).

But I suggest that for viewers of the previous two films, or for comic fans, this is the ultimate third act to the flawless setup of X-Men and X2. This is the mutant war that Professor X and Magneto have prepared for. In fact, if you were to watch all the film in a not-so-long 5 hour marathon, the story would make perfect sense.

And that's the end of that common critique. Now for the good points.

NEW MUTANTS
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Tertiary character Kitty Pryde (the little girl who walks through walls) becomes a mini X-Man. You may notice that the actress who played her (Ellen Page) has changed from the last flick. Look for a heart-breaking love triangle set up with her, Iceman and Rogue.

Beast has been translated perfectly from the comics as a super-smart furry gorilla-man who's the mutant Ambassador to the White House. Kelsey Grammar playing Dr. Fraser Crane in a monkey suit is exactly what this role needed. Look for his wild side during the mutant showdown toward the film's ending.

Multiple Man never really gets developed...but he's freakin cool.

Juggernaut as played by Vinnie Jones will get the most laughs from British audiences. The character has a sordid history in the comics and it is a shame we don't see more of him here, but he's only a supportive character.

Pyro (Aaron Stanford) we know reasonably well from from X2, but he breaks out as Magneto's new right-hand man of villainy. He's got cool new gizmos that make him even more dangerous. Look for fire versus ice showdown.

Brave and proud Angel appears in this one. He's played by Ben Foster who's eager to show off his new pecs. Look for him as a central character to the "cure". If I did have to pick a character I would have like to see more of, it'd be this one.

Jean Grey comes back in a big bold new way. Best character of the film. The subplot with her has to take into account dozens of comic book stories. A job well done here.

EFFECTS
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Super powers are over the top this time!

Storm's piddly little lightning bolts and wind from the first films are replaced with total weather control. Along with Halle Berry's new hairdo in this role, Storm is so much cooler to watch.

Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) gets to prance around in the forest this time. Great fight scenes, and great homage to his comic book regeneration powers near the film's finale

Jean Grey's rebirth (hint hint) is awesome. I won't spoil it for you. You'll be amazed at what she can do.

Magneto (Ian McKellan)lifted cars and ball bearings in the other two movies. He now can make mince meat of them. Oh yeah, he can lift the San Fransisco Bay Bridge as well. But don't tell them I told you.

If you believe in Angels, there may be a treat here too for you. My son loves the "flying man".

STORY
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Yeah, they put a story in there too. The main plot involves the supposed cure found for mutancy. Of course our heroes and villains are alarmed at the possibility of it being forced upon them. Do they support the cure or destroy it? Follow the government doing their best to keep tabs on Magneto and his cronies as he attempts to make his unhappiness known over this new scientific miracle.

This story sets up the great mutant war with the X-Men taking up sides against the Brotherhood of Mutants. Magneto has recruited the most dangerous bunch he can to try to "dissuade" the drug company from further developing their cure. This time, he's even managed to get a few ex X-Men on his team.

The final battle (the Last Stand) between the two groups is obviously near the end of the film. Don't blink or you could miss a trick. I have to say that as a fan boy, this seems ripped right out of the comics.

MY OPINION
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If you've seen the other flics or are a fan, this is a great movie that cuts out all the fluff that would get in the way of a mutant showdown. I will watch it again in the theatre, it's that cool.

If you've not watched the other movies... rent them, then watch the Last Stand. You'll like it a lot more and you won't be confused.

DOOYOO
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Why do you insist on having a VHS category as a way to review movies in the cinema? Fans, this film should NOT be available on VHS yet. Please don't watch a pirated version of it.

Also, when I buy the DVD version in a few months, my fellow Dooyoo'ers will flame me for trying to review it a second time. The categories for movies need some jiggery poking.

Summary: Short and sweet. Be sure to watch X-Men and X2 before though.