Movie Review: X-MEN: THE LAST STAND Author: Bill Ramey Friday, May 26, 2005 U.S. Release Date: May 26, 2006 Distributor: Fox Director: Bret Ratner Writing Credits: Simon Kinberg, Zak Penn Cast: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammer, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, et al MPAA Rating: PG-13 OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.x-menthelaststand.com TRAILERS: www.apple.com./trailers I’m a “DC Guy.” For all you readers who have been with me for a while, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you are new to this site, let me explain. As a kid, I read the comic books published by DC Comics, so “my” characters were Superman and of course, The Batman. Except for Spider-Man, I really never read the Marvel titles. Got that? OK, cool. However, I LOVE films based on comic books with one caveat -- they have to be respectful to the character and, well, good. Doesn’t matter from which comic book company they are from, I simply dig these films as long as they meet my standards. A comic book film that sucks is not a good thing. For example, BATMAN AND ROBIN. See what I’m saying here? Of late, there have been some really good comic book based films. The SPIDER-MAN films; BATMAN BEGINS; and, the first two X-MEN flicks. Good stuff there which kicked up the quality and expectations of films based on super heroes. No longer were they “just from the funny books,” to borrow a line once heard by producer Michael Uslan as he shopped BATMAN to the studios. The one thing that the films mentioned above have in common is continuity in directorship. Sam Raimi has helmed all the SPIDER-MAN films and is currently filming #3. Chris Nolan gave us the great BATMAN BEGINS and is prepping for #2. And Brian Singer helmed the first two X-films -- until he bolted for The Man of Steel in the upcoming SUPERMAN RETURNS. So Bret Ratner, who ironically was once attached to direct SUPERMAN, has taken over the X-reins with the latest mutant adventure X-MEN: THE LAST STAND. I’ve never pretended to be a “big time” reviewer -- y’all know that. Some of my reviews have been and will continue to be a bit unorthodox. Like this one for X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (which it really isn’t the “last stand” as alluded to with the ending). Here’s today’s first unorthodox part of this review, I’m giving the grade first: B- OK, are you still with me? Good! This is going to be a “cut through the BS review” for you all if that’s alright. Style over substance and “popcorn” movie are the first things that come to mind when I think of this film. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. This movie will please the Average Joe movie-goer no doubt. Lots of bang for the buck so to speak. On the other hand, I’m not sure it’ll please all the X-Men fans out there. As a comic book/superhero fan in general (Remember, I’m a “DC Guy”), I dug it. I simply believe that many fans of this particular comic book will feel as if this film sells short what the X-Men are all about. Trust me. As a Batman fan, I feel your pain. THE LAST STAND is definitely rushed. There is little, if any, character development. As a result, it’s hard to care and invest in any of the characters in the film. It makes one wonder if the suits at Fox had let this thing breathe a bit and get the chance to grow, it could have been one hell of a comic book film. For example, I found myself really wanting to care about Kelsey Grammer’s Dr. Hank McCoy, AKA “Beast.” And you do, to a certain extent, but you know so little about him. I wanted to know more about Kitty Pryde, Archangel, Iceman, and hell, even Juggernaut. I want to say that the film has little heart, but that’s not totally true. Thanks to the returning cast -- Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Patrick Stewart’s Prof. X, Famke Jannsen (who is, my friends, HOT as hell in this flick!) -- you are able to open up a can of care. Heck, I even found myself feeling sorry for Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) and Eric Lensherr (Ian McKellan). I guess I should bore you with a bit of the plot -- which I’m sure you are already know. That’s why I’m now committed to giving you these “unorthodox” reviews. Why in the hell should I tell you what you already know. You just want to know if it’s worth your $6 bucks -- give or take. There has been a cure developed for the mutants. They now have the chance to be “normal,” if they wish. According to the government, it’s completely voluntary. For some, it’s an easy choice due to the mutant gene they have -- you‘ll see what I‘m talking about. Others have no desire to partake in this “healing cocktail.” As a result, a war breaks out between Prof. Xavier’s X-Men who preach tolerance, and Magneto’s band of mutants who are more aggressive. Respectively, the mutant versions of the great Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcom X, if you will. The wildcard in all of this is Jean Gray, who had returned from the dead after the events of X-MEN 2. It seems that “The Phoenix” has now emerged (The reason for this is quite well explained) and on which mutant side will she, uh, side? So there does it boys and girls. It’d be unfair if I told y’all anymore. I will say I miss Bryan Singer’s touch on this film, but new director Bret Ratner surprised me just a bit (I’m no big Ratner fan -- thank God he didn’t do SUPERMAN). My only “spoiler” here is that this certainly IS NOT “the last stand.” Trust me. Oh, yeah, I give it a B- if you didn't remember. - Bill Ramey "Jett" is the founder and editor-in-chief of ON-FILM.NET and BATMAN-ON-FILM.COM.