X-Men: The Last Stand is a 2006 superhero film directed by Brett Ratner, starring Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammer, James Marsden, Rebecca Romjin, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, Vinnie Jones, Patrick Stewart, and Dania Ramirez.  Serving as the sequel to 2003’s X2: X-Men United and the third installment in the X-Men film series, the plot revolves around a “mutant cure” that causes serious repercussions among mutants and humans, and on the resurrection of Jean Grey.

Positives:

• Good performances
• Good use of CGI, make up, and practical effects
• Phenomenal score
• Great characters

Negatives:

• Convoluted plot
• Too many characters
• Forgettable characters
• Messy script

Plot:  The story is interesting and some elements even compelling, however it does suffer from the execution. The cure storyline is a good premise as well as the dark Phoenix storyline. Both provide a global threat while at the same time having a personal stake. However this is where the film does feel a bit convoluted. A better story line that would have worked for the film would be a cure being introduced to the meeting affliction and the Omegas rising up to stop it. And then as a sequel or a follow-up have the dark Phoenix Saga. (2 out of 5)

Characters:  The film does feature a great cast of characters both old and new however there is definitely an over saturation of characters. Most get little to no screen time dialogue or have any significant moments that make them totally forgettable. The Omegas are completely forgettable. Angel is a waste of character. Magneto really shouldn’t have been in the movie because he overshadows some of the new characters who could have did just the same thing. Rogue shouldn’t have been in the movie either as she contributed nothing.  (2 out of 5)

Cast:  Terrific performances by Janssen and Jackman. Great performances by Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, Dania Ramirez, and Ellen Page.  Anna Paquin is good but literally has nothing to do. The supporting cast do a good job. (3 out of 5)

Visuals:  The film does have a great job visually.  The character and clothing designs look really cool.  The CGI is definitely on point.  The most impressive sequences visually are the scenes with the Dark Phoenix. (3 out of 5)

Score:  The score is just absolutely beautiful,  John Powell delivers a powerful and emotionally impactful soundtrack. (5 out of 5)

The Writing: The overall script is decent but it does have a lot of problems. The action scenes is good but lackluster. An example of this is the final battle between the X-Men and Brotherhood but the entire sequence feel like they’re fighting regular humans. Hardly any kind of display of any mutant abilities, violence, or anything hardcore. (2 out of 5)

The Verdict:  In the end, X-Men: The Last Stand is a decent film though it has its share of issue.  Despite too many characters and subplots that convolute the plot, the film does have good performances, good characters, a good plot, and a phenomenal score.  X-Men: The Last Stand gets 3 out of 5.