X-Men: The Last Stand
—1. Overview
—2. Cast and Crew
—3. Photo Pages
—4. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—5. Posters
—6. Production Notes (pdf)
—7. Spiritual Connections
—8. Presentation Downloads
*Note: the following review is spoiler free, but if you really don’t want anything spoiled, just see the movie before you read anything.*
Wow. The X-Men’s last stand delivers exactly what one expects from a summer movie. Once, action films officially marked the beginning of the summer movie season, but now movies with super powered heroes officially herald it's start. If you’ve been disappointed with this year's summer “event� movies so far (Poseidon sank, Da Vinci was a snooze, and although M:i:III was solid, it wasn’t quite “big� enough), try X-Men: The Last Stand; it doesn't disappoint.
When a film has a title like The Last Stand and the hype claims it as the last of a successful franchise, it has to be epic, big, and satisfying. X-Men: The Last Stand delivers on all counts. This is the most action packed of the series, and the action moves the story forward. The action scenes don't just look cool, they are cool. The violence is intense and visceral, and the overall tone of the film is darker than the previous two, befitting a final film. (Take note, Star Trek: Nemesis, this is how to properly end things.)
X-Men fans will be pleased with the slew of new characters and though their screen time is limited by the huge cast, it’s still fun to see them. This final film covers a lot of X-Men history, and let me just warn fans that you may be disappointed with how brief and undeveloped the X-Men mythology is. But with a lore as rich and deep as that of X-Men, it would be difficult in a movie to properly develop those stories. Although most of this film is about as thin as the skin on soup left sitting too long, it’s still enjoyable to watch. In fact, because they didn’t squeeze in a bunch of explanations, the film flows smoothly. And even with its lack of depth, fans and non-fans will get a kick out of this film.
Hugh Jackman's portrayal of Wolverine is definitely a hit. Although I’m not a die hard fan of X-Men, I’ve always enjoyed the comics and cartoons and I think Jackman has done an excellent job of portraying Wolverine. The feral ferocity, the fierce individualism fighting with the need to be a part of team, and the quips and barbs are all there as a fan would want. Of course Patrick Stewart found himself another iconic role as Professor Xavier, and he’s at his best in this film. Not only does he look a lot like the Prof, but in this third film Stewart really becomes the character. Ian McKellen has already had a success this year with his role in The Da Vinci Code (his part was one of the only interesting parts of the film, the rest is a bore), and he continues his success with X-Men. This time I think he, too, finally embodies the character he portrays. The writers finally make Magneto the fearsome, awe inspiring, powerful presence he’s supposed to be. Halle Berry’s Storm finally has something to do in this film, and the rest of the cast put in great performances. Although I wasn’t a huge fan of the make-up, Kelsey Grammer really is the Beast. (By they way, Beast’s fight scenes are really cool).
It's interesting that X-Men was released on the heels of Da Vinci because both films feature a group of people separated from society by differences the society wants to “cure� so they can be set free. In The Da Vinci Code, we’re told that if people knew the “truth� of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, then the oppression of Christians worldwide would finally be lifted. In essence, the truth would be a “cure� for Christianity. In X-Men, the so called “cure� for mutation is also a way to conform them to society. Is the timing of these films a coincidence? Probably. But a war could be coming, and movies like The Da Vinci Code and X-Men suggest that lines are already being drawn. Storm tells Wolverine that time for sitting on the fence is over; “If you’re going to be with us; be one with us.�
—2. Cast and Crew
—3. Photo Pages
—4. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—5. Posters
—6. Production Notes (pdf)
—7. Spiritual Connections
—8. Presentation Downloads
*Note: the following review is spoiler free, but if you really don’t want anything spoiled, just see the movie before you read anything.*
Wow. The X-Men’s last stand delivers exactly what one expects from a summer movie. Once, action films officially marked the beginning of the summer movie season, but now movies with super powered heroes officially herald it's start. If you’ve been disappointed with this year's summer “event� movies so far (Poseidon sank, Da Vinci was a snooze, and although M:i:III was solid, it wasn’t quite “big� enough), try X-Men: The Last Stand; it doesn't disappoint. When a film has a title like The Last Stand and the hype claims it as the last of a successful franchise, it has to be epic, big, and satisfying. X-Men: The Last Stand delivers on all counts. This is the most action packed of the series, and the action moves the story forward. The action scenes don't just look cool, they are cool. The violence is intense and visceral, and the overall tone of the film is darker than the previous two, befitting a final film. (Take note, Star Trek: Nemesis, this is how to properly end things.)
X-Men fans will be pleased with the slew of new characters and though their screen time is limited by the huge cast, it’s still fun to see them. This final film covers a lot of X-Men history, and let me just warn fans that you may be disappointed with how brief and undeveloped the X-Men mythology is. But with a lore as rich and deep as that of X-Men, it would be difficult in a movie to properly develop those stories. Although most of this film is about as thin as the skin on soup left sitting too long, it’s still enjoyable to watch. In fact, because they didn’t squeeze in a bunch of explanations, the film flows smoothly. And even with its lack of depth, fans and non-fans will get a kick out of this film.
Hugh Jackman's portrayal of Wolverine is definitely a hit. Although I’m not a die hard fan of X-Men, I’ve always enjoyed the comics and cartoons and I think Jackman has done an excellent job of portraying Wolverine. The feral ferocity, the fierce individualism fighting with the need to be a part of team, and the quips and barbs are all there as a fan would want. Of course Patrick Stewart found himself another iconic role as Professor Xavier, and he’s at his best in this film. Not only does he look a lot like the Prof, but in this third film Stewart really becomes the character. Ian McKellen has already had a success this year with his role in The Da Vinci Code (his part was one of the only interesting parts of the film, the rest is a bore), and he continues his success with X-Men. This time I think he, too, finally embodies the character he portrays. The writers finally make Magneto the fearsome, awe inspiring, powerful presence he’s supposed to be. Halle Berry’s Storm finally has something to do in this film, and the rest of the cast put in great performances. Although I wasn’t a huge fan of the make-up, Kelsey Grammer really is the Beast. (By they way, Beast’s fight scenes are really cool).
It's interesting that X-Men was released on the heels of Da Vinci because both films feature a group of people separated from society by differences the society wants to “cure� so they can be set free. In The Da Vinci Code, we’re told that if people knew the “truth� of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, then the oppression of Christians worldwide would finally be lifted. In essence, the truth would be a “cure� for Christianity. In X-Men, the so called “cure� for mutation is also a way to conform them to society. Is the timing of these films a coincidence? Probably. But a war could be coming, and movies like The Da Vinci Code and X-Men suggest that lines are already being drawn. Storm tells Wolverine that time for sitting on the fence is over; “If you’re going to be with us; be one with us.�
Like the X-Men, Christians have been transformed (or perhaps you could say mutated by Jesus Christ), and though they stand apart from the world, they still fight to save the world that would persecute and hate them. You might even call Christians the Ex-Men, for Jesus has made them into something new. Jesus brings freedom, redemption and eternal life, making all who accept Him into a new creation, a new person free from the past and free from sin. Soon, however, the choice to accept that mutation might be gone. Regardless of your beliefs, know this: if the battle comes, and a last stand has to be made, it may already be too late to choose sides. It's worth thinking about now. What would you rather be? Man or Ex-Man?
X-Men: The Last Stand is a great comic book film, but it is still just a comic book film. It doesn’t transcend the genre like Superman: The Movie or Batman Begins, and it doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of Spiderman 2; but it’s close. One thing's for sure; it’s a fun, satisfying ride. The type of ride you immediately what to ride again. Summer is officially here.
— Overview
X-Men: The Last Stand is a great comic book film, but it is still just a comic book film. It doesn’t transcend the genre like Superman: The Movie or Batman Begins, and it doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of Spiderman 2; but it’s close. One thing's for sure; it’s a fun, satisfying ride. The type of ride you immediately what to ride again. Summer is officially here.
— Overview
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