"The filmmakers have turbocharged the franchise for this closing chapter of the trilogy, escalating the effects and the enormity of the issue. And on their terms, the film works very well indeed." Andrew L Urban URBAN CINEFILE "Perhaps the most disheartening thing about the development of X3 is that it may be the end. Titled X-Men: The Last Stand, Fox execs have been fairly adamant that this will be the last movie in the X-Men saga. Whether or not X3 does well please, please don’t make this the franchise’s last stand." Joshua Tyler CINEMABLEND.COM

"In the beautiful body stakes, Hugh Jackman impresses again as Wolverine, and Halle Berry is mysteriously exotic as the weather-controlling Storm. Ellen Page as Kitty, who can walk through walls is a welcome addition, and the scene when Vinnie Jones' massive Juggernaut crashes through the walls through which tiny Kitty has already morphed, is a wonderful comic touch." Louise Keller URBAN CINEFILE "Building on the massive success of X2, perhaps one of the finest superhero films to date, and combining it with one of the X-Men's most exciting and challenging storylines - that of a mutant cure - was a recipe for success that was ever so nearly impossible to get wrong." Joe Utichi FILM FOCUS

Synopsis

The mutants are about to face their greatest threat ever. For the first time, mutants have a choice: retain their uniqueness, though it isolates and alienates them, or give up their powers to fit in. The choice to give up their powers comes in the form of a cure. Once injected there is no turning back. The opposing viewpoints of the two mutant leaders Charles Xavier [who preaches tolerance], and Magneto [who believes in the survival of the fittest], are put to the ultimate test, triggering the war to end all wars, not just between the intolerant humans but between the two opposing mutant forces. Magneto believes he has the upper hand. The ressurection of Dr Jean Grey [Pheonix] with powers five times stronger than his own is now his to control. Now all he needs to do is eliminate the young boy who has provided the government with a cure. A cure they intend use to normalize the population.

The Inside Story If you enjoyed the first two editions in the "X-Men" story I'm sure you will get your monies worth with the final story in the 'mutant' trilogy, "X-Men The Last Stand". "This film is richer from start to finish," says Patrick Stewart. "It’ll get you worked up, and it should! It has an intriguing hook that gets you involved immediately and emotionally with the characters." That's an assessment I whole-heartedly agree with. Central to the 'final' story in the trilogy of "X-Men" tales is 'the cure'. Speaking from experience, Halle Berry says, "The cure is the real villain of the story. It’s an issue I’ve struggled with my entire life. When I was a child, I felt that if only I could change myself, my life would be better. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to terms with what utter nonsense that is, and this movie adds light to that dark subject." In a big brother move, the goverment offers mutants the opportunity to normalize their lives. When it comes to the followers of Magneto and Professor Charles Xavier there may be no choice. "Magneto says to his followers,'Nobody is going to cure us; we are the cure!'" relates Ian McKellen. On a personal note, McKellan, who is in a 'gay' releationship says the idea of a 'cure' is detesting. In relation to his character Magneto it is a loathesome idea. "It’s abhorrent to me, as it would be if a person said I need curing of my sexuality, or if someone said that black people could take a pill that would 'cure' them of being black." Australian actor and star of "X-MEN 3: The Last Stand" Hugh Jackman sees another side to the use of a 'cure'. "Look at Rogue, for example. Her abilities [to absorb the powers of other mutants, which can result in death] are amazing, yet she lives a very lonely life. She can never touch anyone, have a physical relationship, or have children. As politically abhorrent as the cure is, it’s also understandable that someone like her would consider taking it." But there are always exceptions to the rule. Take the case of 'The Beast' played by former "Frazier" star, four time EMMY Award winner [1994, 1995, 1998 & 2004], Kelsey Grammer. "Unlike the other X-Men, Beast’s mutation isn’t hidden," Grammer says. "So it’s not surprising that he may explore, however briefly, the idea of being a 'regular guy'. He realizes, of course, that being 'regular' is not his destiny. He’s a very brave soul, because true bravery means seizing your fate and doing good with it. And that’s exactly what Beast does." It's that emotion theme which sets "X-Men" apart for many comic book readers. It has remained at the heart of the films. "Nobody had really tried to bring a significant level of emotion to comics before the 'X-Men' comics in the seventies," says 'X-Men' comics enthusiast and screenwriter Zak Penn. "We owed it to the franchise to recapture that kind of strong emotion. The only way to do that is to make the audience feel that this universe is real, to let them know that both good and bad things can happen." His co-screenwriter for 'X-Men 3' admits he too is an 'X-Men' comics enthusiast. "One of the most important things about the comics was that readers became emotionally attached to the characters," says Simon Kinberg. "From issue to issue, they didn’t come back just for the stories; they returned for the characters." The third story in the trilogy has a new director in Brett Ratner. He understood the integrity in maintaining the strength of the characters. "The audiences care about these characters, and it was important to me to stay true to who they are," TONY Award winner Ratner explained. "My goal was to take what worked in the first two films, but make it more emotional and resolve some character arcs." Twenty Six year old Ratner, who helmed the hugely successful "Rush Hour I & II", gained a lot of respect from cast members Halle Berry and Hugh Jackman. "Brett is respectful of and staying true to the vision of 'X-Men' and 'X2' but at the same time he’s taking the franchise to a new level, adding more emotion and deepening the relationships," says Jackman. Berry gives kudos to Ratner, Penn and Kinberg " for clarifying Storm’s responsibilities, point of view and potential. I knew Brett was instrumental in making that happen," says Berry. "He’s really been a supporter of finding a consistent voice for Storm." Fourty years ago famed comic duo Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created the 'X-Men'. Both never ever envisaged their characters would become Hollywood legends. "I wanted to give the X-Men interesting personalities, and make them empathetic and believable," Lee recalls. "When we started Marvel, we always tried to get characters that were relatable; they had to seem like real people, even though they had incredible powers. We thought that extra depth was important. It never occurred to me that someday these little stories we were doing could become such magnificent movies." When it came to getting the actors back together for 'The Last Stand' producer Lauren Shuler Donner ["Free Willy", "You've Got Mail", and "She's the Man"] says there was never any doubting that they would be there. "It was key to the story and character relationships," Donner notes, "and important to the fans who love these films." Fellow producer Avi Arad ["Blade I, II & III", "Spider-Man I & II" and "Fantastic Four"] agrees. "All these actors coming back says a lot about their love of the script and the 'X-Men’ films'. The cast made these movies what they are, and it was critical to get them back for this film." Returning for the 'final' story is Famke Janssen whose character Phoenix was 'killed-off' in 'X-2'. Her role in 'X-3' is as the deadly, super powerful, Dark Phoenix. "What Jean does in this film is very different from what she does in the first two films, says Janssen. "It’s a big change that comics fans have long been anticipating, and which the films’ audiences will be shocked by. In the first films, there are inklings that something is wrong with Jean. Moments where her powers seem more than she can handle." This is just one of the many twists in the 'final' edition. Rogue is torn between remaining a mutant and the option of living a normal life. "With the cure, she has an option," says Paquin. "She can either be cured and change her life forever, or accept who she is and continue living with the feelings of isolation that accompany her mutation." There's Angel, played by Ben Foster in the film. "Angel’s actions point out how much young people want to fit in, to be liked, and to be like everyone else," he said. Angel is introduced to the audiences as a young boy in conflict. It is a poignant and heart wrenching moment. Director Ratner says "Foster really put across Angel’s torment and complexity. Ben worked out harder than anyone I'd ever seen. He really transformed himself." Another new cast member is Vinnie Jones who plays the unstoppable strongman 'Juggernaut'. "Juggernaut is a mercenary, a fighting machine," says Jones. "He’s a member of the Brotherhood but doesn’t necessarily share Magneto’s intense interest in abolishing the cure. He just lives for battles." Add to these Dania Ramirez as Callisto [whose highly attuned senses allow her to locate and assess the power of other mutants]; Eric Dane as Multiple Man [who can create exact physical replicas of himself]; Cameron Bright as the power dampener Leech and Shohreh Aghdashloo as geneticist Dr Kavita Rao and you'll realize that you're in for an exciting 'final' edition. Finally I can't help but mention one very spectacular segment involving 'The Golden Gate Bridge'. If there was nothing else worth seeing in 'X-Men 3' I'd go along just to see how far SPX and CGI have come. One can only be full of praise for the work of both stunt co-ordinator Simon Crane ["Saving Private Ryan", "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" and "The Island"] and Academy Award® winning visual effects supervisor John Bruno ["Ghost Busters", "The Abyss" and "Titanic"]. Cast & Crew Bytes "X-MEN 3: The Last Stand" stars .......
Hugh Jackman ["Swordfish", "Kate & Leopold", "X-Men I & II" and "Van Helsing"]; Patrick Stewart ["Conspiracy Theory", "Star Trek: Insurrection", "Star Trek: Nemesis" and "X-Men I & II"]; Ian McKellen ["The Promise", "Scandal", "Gods and Monsters" and "Emile"]; Halle Berry ["The Last Boy Scout", "Swordfish", "Monster's Ball" and "Gothika"]; Famke Janssen ["Love & Sex", "Made", "Eulogy" and "Hide and Seek"]; Rebecca Romijn ["Rollerball", "Femme Fatale", "The Punisher" and "Godsend"]; Daniel Cudmore ["Are We There Yet?" and "Alone in the Dark"]; Vinnie Jones ["Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels", "Swordfish", "Mean Machine" and "She's the Man"]; James Marsden ["Disturbing Behaviour", "Gossip", "Zoolander" and "The Notebook"]; Ben Foster ["Kounterfeit", "Get Over It!", "The Punisher" and "Hostage"]; Academy Award ® winner Anna Paquin ["The Piano", "Finding Forrester", "25th Hour" and "The Squid and the Whale"] and sixteen time EMMY Award nominee Kelsey Grammer ["Down Periscope", "New Jersey Turnpikes", "The Big Empty" and "Even Money"] as Dr Hank McCoy/Beast. "X-MEN 3: The Last Stand" was .......
directed by Brett Ratner ["Rush Hour I & II", "The Family Man", "Red Dragon" and "After The Sunset"]; written by Simon Kinberg ["XXX3 The Next Level" and "Mr & Mrs Smith"] and Zak Penn ["Last Action Hero", "Behind Enemy Lines", "X-Men 2" and "Elektra"]; costume design by Judianna Makovsky ["Six Degrees Of Seperation", "Lolita", "Seabiscuit" and "National Treasure"]; production design by Edward Verreaux ["Contact", "Jurassic Park III", "The Scorpion King" and "Starsky & Hutch"]; set decoration by Elizabeth Wilcox ["Double Jeopardy", "Along Came A Spider", "Snow Dogs" and "Fantastic Four"]; original music by John Powell ["Face/Off", "I Am Sam", "The Italian Job", "The Bourne Supremacy", "Robots" and "Ice Age: The Meltdown"]. The Verdict "If you enjoyed the first two editions in the "X-Men" story you'll get your monies worth with "X-Men The Last Stand". The character of Dr Jean Grey is revived in spectacular style, Magneto and Prof Charles Xavier still have opposing views on the future of those who possess special powers, there's some refreshing new characters including Vinnie Jones in the role of 'Juggernaut' and a winged mutant called Angel. As for those SFX and CGI images, well they really are outstanding. Special Note: Do not leave until the final credits are over because there is an additional segment right at the very end which will provide a real shock. "X-Men The Last Stand" is highly recommended not only to 'mutant' lovers but anyone who is looking for a fresh, fun time at the cinema." Who's Who?

Patrick Stewart Hugh Jackman Ian McKellen Halle Berry Famke Janssen Anna Paquin Kelsey Grammer Rebecca Romijn Shawn Ashmore Ellen Page Ben Foster Aaron Stanford James Marsden Olivia Williams Daniel Cudmore Vinnie Jones Dania Ramirez Eric Dane Mei Melançon Omahyra Mota Haley Ramm Cameron Bright Michael Murphy

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Professor Charles Xavier Logan/Wolverine Eric Lensherr/Magneto Ororo Munroe/Storm Dr Jean Grey/Phoenix Marie/Rogue Dr Hank McCoy/Beast Raven Darkholme/Mystique Bobby Drake/Iceman Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat Warren Worthington III/Angel John Allerdyce/Pyro Scott Summers/Cyclops Dr Moira MacTaggart Piotr Rasputin/Colossus Cain Marko/Juggernaut Callisto Jamie Madrox/Multiple Man Elizabeth Braddock/Psylocke Philippa Sontag/Arclight Dr Kavita Rao Leech Warren Worthington Sr

The Crew Directed by Brett Ratner Written by Simon Kinberg & Zak Penn Screenplay by Simon Kinberg & Zak Penn Produced by Avi Arad/Lauren Shuler Donner/Ralph Winter Original Music by John Powell Cinematography by Philippe Rousselot & Dante Spinotti Film Editing by Mark Goldblatt/Mark Helfrich/Julia Wong Casting by Heike Brandstatter/Coreen Mayrs/Richard Pagano Production Design by Edward Verreaux Set Decoration by Elizabeth Wilcox Costume Design by Judianna Makovsky Co-costume designer Lisa Tomczeszyn Run Time 104 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2006 - Twentieth Century Fox - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2006 - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved