X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

As a conclusion to the arcs of the first two films, X-Men: The Last Stand is a serviceable entry that is breezy fun, yet without the depth that has come to be expected from the series. It's actually amazing that the film is as good as it is -- director Brett Ratner might have had some tremendous box office weight under his belt, but most of that was due to his stars rather than his proficiency. That said, he manages to do an admirable job of mimicking previous helmer Bryan Singer's style and feel, which set the franchise apart from its big screen comic contemporaries. The movie's main problems stem from its unfocused script -- a mish-mash of comic mythology that tries to tackle too much in one film, never mind do it in 100 minutes. While some characters are handed a few juicy moments to relish in throughout the picture, there are loads of others that consistently get short-changed, most of whom are new to the franchise. And for such a short film, they sure do tackle a heap of main-character deaths throughout the picture; never mind that Wolverine (once again played to perfection by Hugh Jackman) has practically been defanged as a family-friendly feral hero with a heart of gold. All of this is blanketed under a limited budget and hastened schedule that's terribly apparent in the big final showdown at Alcatraz. So why is the film still worth half a hoot? Part of it has to do with the cast and their continuing fine work, though there is something to be said about the flick's blend of humor and action that will keep it palatable to most audiences. While there might not be too many "wow" moments, the third film is okay enough for summer movie escapism, though nowhere near the bar set by Singer in the two installments leading up to this. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide