X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), directed by Brett Ratner, stars Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, Patrick Stewart, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammer, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn, Elliot Page, Daniel Cudmore, and Ben Foster. This is the final film in Fox’s original X-Men trilogy and follows the titular team as they attempt to stop Magneto (McKellen) once and for all after a new mutant cure creates political strife as well as rumblings of an impending war. When Jean Grey (Janssen) returns with dangerous new powers after her supposed death in X2 (2003), she develops an unhinged alter ego that calls itself “Phoenix.” This sets off a chain of events that sends Wolverine (Jackman) and other X-Men toward an explosive and violent finale. 

This is unfortunately the series’ worst offender in terms of balancing far too many characters. Ben Foster’s Warren Worthington III/Angel is a completely unnecessary character that only seems shoehorned in to give the trailer a few more cool moments. Elliot Page’s Kitty Pride is likewise shoved down the audience’s throat, inexplicably acting as a replacement for Rouge (Paquin) in a majority of the film’s action sequences. This addition of characters we care little about takes away important focus from characters we’ve known since the beginning of the franchise. This includes Rouge, Professor X (Stewart), Mystique (Romijn), and Cyclops (Marsden), the latter of the bunch being confirmed as the series’ main victim in terms of unbalanced focus. Marsden and Romijn have limited roles due to scheduling conflicts, but the film is so compact/concise that their shares of the screen time still feel similar to most of the cast. Cyclops in particular has been disrespected throughout the series and it comes to a head in this film. General audiences may not care, but fans of the X-Men are guaranteed to be insulted and/or disappointed. To top it all off, Famke Janssen gives a particularly lifeless villain performance that feels as if she has given up completely. This is made all the disappointing considering that this film is supposed to close out this story/cast of characters.

Thankfully, the cast still boasts some bright spots. Kelsey Grammer as Beast is an example of perfect comic book casting. Even the practical makeup still looks miles better than any eventual CGI version of the character. Storm (Berry) is also the best she has ever been, improving with each film. She really takes over the role of what Cyclops should have always been and establishes herself as the no-nonsense leader of the team under Professor X. And, to no one’s surprise, Hugh Jackman acts as a strong lead for not only this film but the series as a whole.

Even though these characters are sometimes goofy and irrational, the movie remains entertaining if you just allow yourself to tag along for the ride. It just feels a lot more juvenile than its predecessors, featuring some extremely dated and awkward dialogue. The film is rushed, overstuffed, and cheesy, but ultimately entertaining. It features some of the best sets/locations in the trilogy, leading to some memorable and intense setpieces. This includes an ending that feels quick and convenient but goes out with a bang. There’s a real level of ballsiness here that is almost extinct in properties such as the modern-day MCU. Even though it’s kind of stupid and careless, it feels a little rock & roll. 

Overall, this is a trilogy capper that is a confirmed mess of a film. It features some of the best and worst of the trilogy and takes things in brave directions that only work about half of the time. The behind-the-scenes troubles are prevalent, resulting in a film that feels rushed and overstuffed. The thing is, it still ends up being a somewhat entertaining movie in a guilty-pleasure sense. I can’t really recommend it, but I suppose it’s worth watching for completion’s sake. C+