| Action 'X'travaganza
X-Men: The Last Stand* * *
Dir: Brett Ratner
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Ian Mckellan
| | | Halle Berry as Storm in a still from X-Men III | Plot: Even though it isn't the movie event of the year (with Da Vinci stealing its thunder), the final installment in the trilogy of the X-men series is no doubt one of the most anticipated films of the year.
Those familiar with the antics of Storm (Halle Berry), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Jean Grey (Famke Janseen) and Cyclops (James Marsden) may need no introduction to the film.
Others may have to do some homework before watching The Last Stand, where a mutant cure divides the nation into groups of those wanting to defend their "special gift" and others yearning to give it up for a mortal life.
Taking you back 20 years, one-time good friends Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), and Magneto (Ian McKellen), discover a level 5 mutant, Jean Grey, and decide to take her under their wings.
Fast-forwarding into the future, things take a turn for the worse, with Xavier adopting the path of teaching and reforming mutants, while Magneto wants to create a revolution to protect mutant rights.
The introduction of newer mutants, Juggernaut (similar to He-man's Ram Man), Angel (winged mutant) and the Beast (played by Fraiser's Kelsey Grammer), and reseurrection of Jeane as Phoenix, the story is taken to another level.
Acting: Even though each character is unique and distinct, there's an established hierarchy right from the first film. You know that Wolverine, Storm and Jeane have more to do than the rest. But that doesn't take the credit away from anyone.
Since the boys and girls are now teenagers, love, jealousy and sacrifice are elements that become an intrinsic plot of the film.
Be it the Cyclops-Jean-Wolverine love triangle, or Rogue's unending desire to touch Iceman, we get to see what's happening to these people behind their magical powers. Hugh Jackman's Wolverine is smarter, with better one-liners and a sharper sense of humour.
Ian Mckellan's Magneto reminds one of his stint as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, especially in the scenes where he creates an army of mutants with a rousing speech. Without giving away spoilers, I can say that Stewart as Xavier doesn't hang around too much to leave a lasting impression.
What's hot: Let's keep the special effects aside for a minute and look at the film. The biggest draw of this final chapter is the plot — lucid, yet complex in its process of presenting the story through a set of interesting characters. The fight sequences are brilliant. Rebecca Romijn is back as Mystique, and how!
What's not: To take the viewers to the brink of climax, Ratner has to do away with some characters. Jean's transformation as Phoenix needed more depth. Xavier's explanation about her split personality and growing power doesn't justify the course she takes.
The mutant cure in the form of a boy caged in a remote prison also needed more explanation than discussions by politicians around a round table.
Bottom line: Even though the production notes state that this may be the final chapter, the end leaves you with more than a glimmer of hope. The Last Stand delivers, because of its cast and Ratner's ability to present a fascinating story, which grips you by the throat and leaves you gasping for more. |
Mr And Mrs Parshuram
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