X-Men: The Last Stand More like Last Call
This time around, “Rush Hour” director Brett Ratner has replaced “Usual Suspects” helmer Bryan Singer in the director chair. The film opens with the discovery of a controversial cure for mutants. The result propels Xavier’s (Patrick Stewart) tolerant X-Men into direct conflict with the Magneto’s (Ian McKellen) militant Brotherhood. Meanwhile, the resurrected Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), now wields tremendous powers with a schizophrenic personality.
Much like Mark Steven Johnson’s “Daredevil”, the movie tries to accomplish too much in too little time. The film’s many characters are easily brushed aside by the script’s ambition. X-Men Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page) and Colossus (Daniel Cudmore) are left out in the cold, given more screen time with less dialogue. Angel, played by versatile young actor Ben Foster, hardly has a chance to spread his wings, and even established characters such as Rogue (Anna Paquin) aren’t safe from the dialogue burn.
As expected, the movie is largely centered on fan-favorite Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Jackman doesn’t disappoint in role he was born to play. Halle Berry’s Storm also benefits from a stronger role no longer hindered by an annoying African accent. Any scene featuring McKellen or Stewart gravitates naturally around the two veteran actors, while Kelsey Grammer’s blue-furred Beast manages to still leave an impression thanks to his subtle screen presence.
Ultimately, the biggest question lies in the movie’s suprisingly short run time. Why, after the success of the 133 minute X2, did Ratner and company feel the last installment should only clock in at 104, the same length as the first feature. Ratner’s skill in the director’s chair isn’t as noticably deft as Bryan Singer, but he’s no a slouch either. With that in mind, maybe the cure for this film is still hiding up Ratner’s sleeve, with special edition deleted scenes on the DVD. Whatever the cure may be, this film does little for the mutants or the audience.
