X-Men: The Last Stand

Stars: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin

Director: Brett Ratner

This thundering third segment of the X-Men saga finds our mutant heroes accepted into society - and even by the government, which has a Department of Mutant Affairs. But chaos looms when a 'cure' is discovered that will 'normalise' the mutants and take away their respective superhuman powers. Incensed, the power-mad Magneto (McKellen) determines to destroy the boy (all-purpose spooky kid Cameron Bright) who is the cure's source.

Only Professor Xavier (Stewart) and his trusty X-Men (Headed by Jackman's steel-clawed Wolverine and Berry's weather-controlling Storm - no standpipes needed with her around) stand in his way.

The late Jean Grey (Janssen) is back, too, but in far from friendly form. There's some mumbo-jumbo - 'The only explanation of Jean's survival is that her powers cocooned her in telepathic energy' - lots of lightning-speed battles, and predictably dull patches outside of the action set pieces. In support, Vinnie Jones contributes another of his inimitable (and mercifully brief) performances. If you stay through the end credits, there's a short key scene immediately after them.

David Quinlan

USA 2006. UK Distributor: 20th Century Fox. Colour by De Luxe.
104 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: 12A.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 0.

Review date: 07 Jun 2006