I watched X-Men: The Last Stand and I liked it. 3/5
–
The X-Men trilogy deserved a triumphant send-off, but X-Men: The Last Stand stumbles as much as it soars. Directed by Brett Ratner, the third installment attempts to juggle two massive storylines—the Phoenix Saga and a controversial mutant cure—with mixed results. While the action and spectacle deliver occasional thrills, the movie’s overcrowded narrative, baffling character decisions, and tonal inconsistencies hold it back from achieving greatness.
Still, for all its flaws, there’s enough here to make it a decent—if disappointing—finale to a groundbreaking trilogy.
A Story That’s Too Crowded for Its Own Good
Let’s start with the story, or should I say stories, because The Last Stand tries to tackle far too many at once. The introduction of a “cure” for mutant abilities is an intriguing concept with real emotional weight, touching on themes of identity, acceptance, and societal pressure. But instead of giving this storyline the focus it deserves, the film splits its attention between the cure and the Dark Phoenix Saga—a storyline fans had been clamoring to see fully realized on screen.
Unfortunately, the Phoenix Saga feels rushed and underdeveloped. Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), resurrected after her sacrifice in X2: X-Men United, becomes a destructive, morally ambiguous force. While Janssen gives an eerie and commanding performance, the script doesn’t give her much to work with, leaving Jean more of a plot device than a fully fleshed-out character.
Meanwhile, the cure storyline fares slightly better but is still hampered by its lack of focus. Rogue’s (Anna Paquin) struggle with her powers and Magneto’s (Ian McKellen) crusade against humanity should have provided ample drama, but the film doesn’t give these arcs enough room to breathe. Instead, it piles on new characters and subplots, creating a bloated, unfocused narrative.
Character Decisions That Hurt the Film
One of the most frustrating aspects of The Last Stand is how it sidelines or outright disrespects key characters. Cyclops (James Marsden), one of the franchise’s core figures, is killed off-screen early in the film, robbing his death of any emotional impact. Rogue, a fan favorite, is similarly sidelined, spending much of the film grappling with her decision to take the cure, only for her storyline to end on a flat note.
Even Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), who gets the lion’s share of screen time, feels like a diminished version of the character. His role as the emotional anchor for Jean’s story is compelling in theory, but the rushed pacing prevents it from landing with the weight it should.
Magneto and Professor X (Patrick Stewart) fare slightly better. Stewart brings gravitas to Xavier’s complicated relationship with Jean, while McKellen is magnetic (pun intended) as always, even when saddled with some of the film’s clunkier dialogue.
Action and Cheese in Equal Measure
If there’s one area where The Last Stand doesn’t hold back, it’s the action. The set pieces are large-scale and often thrilling, particularly the climactic battle at Alcatraz. Watching Magneto unleash his powers on the Golden Gate Bridge is undeniably cool, and the final showdown between mutants and the government forces delivers some genuine spectacle.
But for every great action moment, there’s a groan-worthy line of dialogue or an ill-advised attempt at humor that undercuts the film’s dramatic tension. The infamous “I’m the Juggernaut, bitch!” line is the most glaring example. It’s a meme-worthy moment, sure, but it feels out of place in a movie that’s otherwise dealing with serious themes like prejudice, loyalty, and identity.
Missed Potential and a Decent Finish
Despite its flaws, The Last Stand isn’t without merit. The film’s exploration of the mutant cure raises thought-provoking questions, even if it doesn’t fully explore them. Kelsey Grammer’s portrayal of Beast is a highlight, adding both gravitas and charm to the proceedings. And for all its narrative chaos, the movie still manages to deliver some emotional beats, particularly in its quieter moments.
The film’s ending, while divisive, does provide a sense of closure for some characters. Magneto’s diminished powers and Wolverine’s tragic confrontation with Jean carry an emotional weight that lingers beyond the credits.
Conclusion: A Decent, If Disappointing Finale
X-Men: The Last Stand is a movie with good intentions and plenty of ambition, but it ultimately crumbles under the weight of its own expectations. By trying to juggle too many storylines and sidelining key characters, it sacrifices the emotional depth and narrative cohesion that made X-Men and X2 so memorable.
That said, it’s not a total loss. The action delivers, the performances are strong, and there are enough moments of intrigue and excitement to make it worth watching—especially for die-hard fans. It’s just a shame that this film, which could have been a game-changing conclusion, ended up feeling more like a missed opportunity.