X-Men: The Last Stand

-Directed by: Brett Ratner

Starring:
Hugh Jackman, Anna Paquin, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, Famke Janssen.

All good stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end. It's simply how it works. With the likely final installment of one of the most popular franchises in Marvel Comics' foray into feature films, you do get that. Sort of. When I went to go see it quite late last night, I was surrounded by what is really the core audience for the Marvel films, a smattering of readers of the comic book, those who've followed the movies since the beginning, and people who just wanted something to do at midnight. The mix ranged from those who dressed up in costumes, (A Wolverine, Juggernaut, and Jubilee most notably.) to those who were simply excited about the buzz surrounding one of the most anticipated movies of Summer 2006.

The buzz for the movie surrounded a lot of rumors that have been circulating online about this film. Do characters die? Do we see new mutants? Will there be any more X-Men movies? The answers are yes, yes and I don't think so. According to what I've been able to find out, there's no PLAN for another X-Men film but Ian McKellan is among those in talks to do a film based on their character. That being said, director Brett Ratner sets to close up some loose ends. This is where one of my first complaints comes in. Bryan Singer directed the first two films, and thanks to some scheduling issues wasn't able to get on board for this one. I think I'd have liked it better if he would have. Changing directors at the end of a story can, and in this cases does, leave the viewer feeling a little short changed. You can notice a change in the overall feel in the film that just doesn't seem quite right. The film is technically outstanding though. With the arrival of several new mutants, you are drawn more fully into the world the comic books created. You see powers used and misused and the special effects surrounded those moments are amazing. One of the most notable that you've likely seen in commercials is Angel. Played by Ben Foster, Angel possesses massive white wings. When the wings unfurl for the first time, the best word for it is "Wow!". Another is Juggernaut, a man who can break through virtually anything. Played true to the comic book, the Juggernaut is a brutish bully of a mutant who you are left in awe of.

Coming in with a PG-13 movie, The Last Stand does have a LOT of action, along with a bit of coarse language and one fairly non-graphic kissing scene. However, like Spiderman, it's kept gore free which is nice. You see characters hurt but it's not overwhelming and when characters die you are brought into the moment with a nice blend of action and emotion. I caught myself sniffling on more than one occasion because of that. Of course, I also caught myself cheering. That's what the Marvel movies do very well. They remind you that while amazing, the characters are just like us in one special regard. They're very much human.


-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
jennuntch@yahoo.com
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