X-Men: The Last Stand - Film Review
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X-Men: The Last Stand, released in 2006, is the third instalment in the original
X-Men trilogy. Directed by Brett Ratner, the film explores complex themes such as the ethics of genetic manipulation, the consequences of power, and the struggle for acceptance in a world that fears difference. Despite its ambitious narrative, the film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike.
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The film opens with flashbacks:
20 Years Ago: Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (Ian McKellen) visit a young Jean Grey (Haley Ramm), whose immense telekinetic and telepathic powers are evident even as a child. Xavier offers to help her control her abilities.
10 Years Ago: A young Warren Worthington III/Angel (Camden Boyd) is shown desperately trying to cut off his wings to hide his mutation from his father, Warren Worthington II (Michael Murphy). This establishes the emotional conflict around the “cure” for mutants.
In the present, a pharmaceutical company announces the discovery of a “cure” for mutation, derived from the DNA of a mutant boy named Jimmy/Leech (Cameron Bright), whose ability suppresses the powers of other mutants. The cure is offered as voluntary, but its existence divides the mutant community.
* Rogue (Anna Paquin), who struggles with her inability to touch others due to her power, considers taking the cure.
* Magneto sees the cure as a weapon against mutants and begins recruiting a Brotherhood of Mutants to fight back.
Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), who sacrificed herself in
X2: X-Men United, is discovered alive by Cyclops (James Marsden) at Alkali Lake. However, she is no longer the same; her immense power, previously suppressed by mental barriers created by Xavier, has transformed her into the Dark Phoenix.
* Cyclops is killed off-screen when Jean’s unstable powers overwhelm him.
* The X-Men find Jean and bring her back to the X-Mansion, but Xavier warns that her Dark Phoenix persona is dangerous and uncontrollable.
Magneto learns of Jean’s return and recruits her to his cause, manipulating her rage and instability. She joins the Brotherhood, amplifying Magneto’s threat.
The X-Men; Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry), Beast (Kelsey Grammer), Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) and Colossus (Daniel Cudmore) face off against Magneto’s Brotherhood in a final battle. Key moments include:
* Beast uses the cure on Magneto, stripping him of his powers.
* Jean unleashes the full force of the Dark Phoenix, killing both enemies and allies indiscriminately. Her destructive power devastates the battlefield.
Wolverine, mostly immune to Jean’s powers due to his healing factor, approaches her as she begs him to stop her. In a heartbreaking moment, Wolverine tells her he loves her before fatally stabbing her to end her suffering and save everyone else.
The film concludes the original trilogy with themes of sacrifice, identity, and the moral complexities of trying to “fix” what makes someone different. Some of the key characters of the movie include;
Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart): The leader of the X-Men, Xavier is a telepath who advocates for peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants. He tries to help Jean control her powers but underestimates the strength of the Dark Phoenix.
Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman): A mutant with regenerative healing and retractable claws, Wolverine struggles with his feelings for Jean and his role in stopping her when she becomes a threat.
Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix (Famke Janssen): A powerful mutant with telepathic and telekinetic abilities. Her resurrection unleashes the Dark Phoenix, a destructive force that threatens to consume her and everything around her.
Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (Ian McKellen): A mutant with the ability to manipulate metal, Magneto leads a militant faction opposing the cure. He recruits mutants to his cause, including the unstable Dark Phoenix.
Ororo Munroe/Storm (Halle Berry): A mutant who can control the weather, Storm becomes a central figure in leading the X-Men and opposing Magneto’s plans.
Rogue (Anna Paquin): A young mutant whose touch drains others’ life force and powers. She grapples with the decision to take the cure to live a normal life.
Hank McCoy/Beast (Kelsey Grammer): A mutant with a beastly appearance and enhanced agility. As a government representative, Beast is torn between his human and mutant identities.
Bobby Drake/Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) and John Allerdyce/Pyro (Aaron Stanford): Former friends turned enemies, their rivalry symbolizes the division within the mutant community.
Dr. Kavita Rao (Shohreh Aghdashloo): A scientist involved in developing the mutant cure.
Warren Worthington III/Angel (Ben Foster): A mutant with wings who struggles with his father’s attempts to “cure” him.
X-Men: The Last Stand received mixed reviews upon its release. Roger Ebert praised the film's action sequences and thematic depth, stating,
I liked the action, I liked the absurdity, I liked the incongruous use and misuse of mutant powers. In contrast, Justin Chang of Variety criticised the film for lacking the "pop gravitas" and "emotional weight" of its predecessors. The film holds a 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a divided critical response.
Despite the mixed critical reception,
X-Men: The Last Stand performed well commercially. It grossed approximately $459 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2006. The film's financial success demonstrated the franchise's strong fan base and the enduring appeal of superhero narratives.
Brett Ratner's direction marked a departure from the stylistic approach of the previous films directed by Bryan Singer. Ratner's emphasis on action and spectacle was met with mixed reactions, with some praising the dynamic sequences, while others felt it came at the expense of character development and narrative coherence. The film's production was notably challenging, with script rewrites and tight schedules contributing to a sense of rushed execution.
X-Men: The Last Stand contributed to ongoing discussions about diversity and acceptance, mirroring real-world debates about the ethics of genetic modification and the societal treatment of marginalised groups. The film's portrayal of a "cure" for mutation can be interpreted as a commentary on the pressures faced by individuals to conform to societal norms, resonating with various minority experiences.
X-Men: The Last Stand stands as a complex entry in the X-Men franchise, offering a blend of action, ethical dilemmas, and character exploration. While it achieved commercial success and tackled significant themes, the film's execution left some audiences and critics desiring a more nuanced and cohesive narrative. Its legacy within the franchise is marked by both its ambitious storytelling and the controversies surrounding its production and direction.
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#science_ficton 300001 - 2024-12-27 08:29:38