X-Men: The Last Stand

X-Men: The Last Stand is the third of three films based on the popular comic book series about mutant superheroes. The first two films built effectively on the mythology established in the comic book story. They featured a varied array of characters. The important characters continue from one film to the next, but other characters--some of them mutants, some of them humans--drift in and out of the films. This allowed for considerable flexibility in character and plot development. We don't find such flexibility in the Superman, Batman, and Spiderman films, which focus on a single superhero. The X-Men films as well as the comic book series explore interesting themes such as genetic engineering, government’s involvement in the private lives of individuals, and the persecution of minority groups. There is a clear analogy established in the films between the mutants, who are threatened with persecution by the government, and Nazi Germany's persecution of Jews and others. Although I have a fondness for the Superman films, especially the first two, and the more recent Superman Returns, there are limitations to what the Superman mythology can allow in a film. The plot lines are fairly narrow in the Superman films, but that's not the case with the X-Men movies. There are conflicts among the mutants, conflicts between mutants and non-mutants, and a variety of opportunities for interesting developments.

The first two films featured such good actors as Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen. They are present in the third film, but they're not exploited effectively. Several characters who gave the first two films interest are killed fairly early. We have the addition of a new character, Dr. Hank McCoy ("Beast"), portrayed by Kelsey Grammer, of all people. He plays the United States Secretary of Mutants. When I saw his bright blue face and bright blue hair, I knew we were in for trouble. The nature of his mutant powers is not quite clear. They have something to do with roaring like a lion and engaging in acrobatics as he kicks and punches his victims. He occasionally sounds like his TV character Frasier, which provides some slight comic relief. Special effects were brought to bear in a mighty way on Kelsey Grammer, who is past the age of action heroism.

The proliferation of special effects in this film may be intended to compensate for the shallow plot and characterization. The intelligence, the interesting characterizations, the humanity of the various superheroes in the first two films are absent here. Everyone seems to be going through the motions. The plot centers on the discovery of a "cure" for the mutants. The cure is first made available on a voluntary basis, but eventually is used as a weapon: instead of shooting bullets at the mutants, U. S. soldiers shoot needles full of serum that "cure" their targets. The cure precipitates the final battle alluded to in the title. The persecution theme of the second film was more interesting, and the analogy it allowed one to draw with present-day situations was apt. A final scene in the film, after the credits end, sets up a possible sequel. I hope a sequel doesn't happen. The series has run out of steam.