It's 4:57am and I've just returned home from work after previewing 'X-Men III - The Last Stand' and have to say that it's absolutely brilliant!

***WARNING*** Possible spoilers ahead....





















The final chapter in (this) 'X-Men' trilogy, 'The Last Stand' sees a "cure" for mutancy being created, and politics stepping in and attempting to sway public opinion doesn't help matters any. This new 'cure for the mutant disease' threatens to alter the course of history, and for the first time in their lives mutants are faced with their first very real choice: retain their uniqueness, though it isolates and alienates them from society at large, or forsake their powers and become 'human'. It is time for them to take a stand for what they believe in, it is time to choose a side. The polar viewpoints of mutant leaders Xavier, (who preaches tolerance with a view to social integration), and Magneto, (who believes mutants are the next level of human evolution and it is nothing more than a case of survival of the fittest), are put to the ultimate test - triggering an apocalyptic showdown: a war to end all wars.

Ian McKellen as 'Magneto' is uniformly excellent as ever, (his two big action set pieces are nothing short of jaw dropping) and he turns in a sublime and faultless performance that is only heightened by the nuances in his characters subtle restraint. Patrick Stewart also reprises his role as 'Charles Xavier', adding a dash of assertive decorum to proceedings. (I can only hope I look that good when I hit his age!)

Thankfully, 'Collossus' gets a little more screentime this time around (and by God, is Daniel Cudmore EVER a hot piece of manflesh!) as does 'Iceman' played by the gorgeous Shawn Ashmore - there's something in His performance that shows great promise as an actor, I can only hope he lands some decent meaty roles after these films (oh, and he's absolutely beautiful eye candy too - man, those eyes just make me melt! definately my dream guy these two look damned fine in their leather uniforms too, I have to say! lol

I have to take my hat off to Kelsey Grammar too, when I heard he'd signed on as 'Beast' (or 'Hank' as they've taken to calling him in the movie) he's actually very bloody good indeed, so kudos to him for giving a performance that not only didn't suck, but was actually impressive. Also, Vinnie Jones turns in a surprisingly horny performance as 'Juggernaut' clad in not much more than a leather harness and a heavy iron collar...yummy

So, to summise:
Where 'X-Men' was good, and 'X-Men II' was a far superior monster - 'X-Men III - The Last Stand' ticks every box, then ticks it again for good measure - just wait until you get a load of the return of Jean Grey as 'The Dark Phoenix', i'll say no more about that...

Those of us who have grown up with the comics may have to grin and bear some of the ommisions (and additions from spin-off comics) here and there (and there are some surprise deaths along the way too) but those things aside, this is without a doubt my movie of the year so far (that is until Brandon Routh bats everything in His path out of the ballpark with His performance in 'Superman Returns'!)

Finally, I'm glad some 'new blood' in the form of Brett Ratner stepped in to direct this film instead of Bryan Singer, (who ironically stepped down to helm the film i'm chomping at the bit about previously mentioned above!) Brett just seems to have gone straight for the jugular with this film whereas the problem with the previous two seemed to be a lot of exposition that held the films back - although to be fair, it did look like they'd learnt from the first film with the sequel). it pretty much throws you in the deep end from the off, and by the second reel you're left gasping for breath. Oh, and this may not be the last you see of 'X-Men', as the head of Fox Tom Rothman has confirmed 'X-Men IV' already earlier this year, along with rumours abounding already of a 'Wolverine prequel' movie seperate from the franchise...

I give this 5 out of 5

Go see this, kick back, and enjoy.
BC

PS: I'd advise you to remain seated until the credits have finished, it's short but well worth that little extra bum-numbing...that's all i'll say


Gratuitous man candy:

I'm looking forward to checking it out this weekend. I didn't need any incentive to see the flick, however any film with Dania Ramirez fighting Halle Berry is worth seeing.



Dania Ramirez at Cannes







[Edited 5/25/06 1:46am]