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Cure sets stage for showdown in 'X-Men: The Last Stand'
by Eleanor Ringel Gillespie

The "X-Men" movies always deserve an A for effort, and so it is with the third installment, "X-Men: The Last Stand." But this time around, the effort shows a little more. The film is still a lot of mindless fun, but whether it's the switch in directors (Brett "Rush Hour" Ratner takes over for Bryan Singer) or the feeling that a good premise has been rushed (it's a half-hour shorter than its predecessor), "Last Stand" is more satisfying than transporting. Read the full review

TO SUM UP
A "cure" forces mutants to make a choice: Retain their powers, though they isolate and alienate them, or relinquish them and become human. The opposing viewpoints of mutant leaders Charles Xavier, who preaches tolerance, and Magneto, who believes in the survival of the fittest, trigger the war to end all wars.

FILM FACTS ...

20th Century Fox

'X-Men: The Last Stand'

Director: Brett Ratner
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, James Marsden, Shawn Ashmore
Run time: 104 minutes
Release date: May 26, 2005
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence, some sexual content and language.
See showtimes

Sneak peek!
Get an early look at the action with these slides of:
• The movie
• The mutants

Behind the scenes
• As a mutant, Grammer pays blue suede dues
• When the third time isn't the charm: threequels

On the web
Official movie site
View the trailer
Trailers require Quicktime

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READ THE REVIEW

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: B-
"Among the more welcome additions are Kelsey Grammer as well-dressed, all-blue diplomat Hank McCoy, aka Beast, and Ellen Page as Kitty Pryde, who can zip through walls."

Read the full review

Austin American-Statesman: 2 of 5 stars
"Fans are left with what feels like one of those innumerable Star Trek sequels that coast on our fondness for familiar characters while begging the question: How long can they keep this up?"

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The Palm Beach Post: C
"... bound to attract the hard-core comics fans, but even they are likely to admit that this is the least of the three films in the series."