So, the third (and final?) X-Men movie sees Jean Grey return to the world, butoopsCharles Xavier forgot to mention that Grey has a split personality and a powerful psychotic alter-ego exists inside her head! Thankfully, when Jean resurfaces she takes a moment to kill her former boyfriend, the utterly pointless Scott Summers (Cyclops).

All this takes place amid the discovery of a cure for the Mutant X gene which promises a normal life for mutants. Its met with a mixed reaction - some mutants are glad of the prospect of a cure while others (Magnetos crowd) see the potential extermination of the mutant race and choose to fight against it.

The movie remains fast-paced throughout, and its abundant in shocks and comic moments throughout: Mystique getting shot with the Mutant cure and losing her abilities, Phoenix (Jean Greys alter-ego) disintegrating one of the X-Men in a tense battle, and getting frisky with Wolverine (the bit where she whips his belt off using her psychic powers was a hoot).

One of the set-pieces was completely over the top though: the bit where Magneto raises the Golden Gate bridge and floats it across to Alcatraz Island. In the name of God, why? In X-Men II, Magneto conjures floating discs from atoms of liquid metal! Plus, he has Phoenix in tow with her devastating psychic powers. Surely between them they could have thought up better transportation?

The Acting

As usual, Wolverine and Magneto get their share of the best lines. Ian McKellen is at his wicked best as Magneto, especially turning his back on a newly human Mystique (whod sacrificed herself to protect him moments earlier) and cunningly convincing Jean Grey to join his rebellion. Hugh Jackman makes the transformation from mild-mannered Aussie to the gruff, blade-fisted Wolverine with ease, and just about steals the show. Wolverine is always the best thing about an X-Men movie.

Kudos should also go to newcomers Vinnie Jones (as rock-headed Juggernaut) and Kelsey Grammer (as Dr. Hugh McCoy). Who would have pictured Frasier as the ol blue furball?

On the down side, Halle Berry as Storm is a waste of space. Its hard to tell if Storms character is at fault, or if the the finger should be pointed at Halle Berrys acting, but three movies down and Storm has yet to play a central role. Shes almost as expendable as Cyclops was. A new hairdo does not the superhero make!

(Oh, why exactly do all the bad mutants dress like junkies? Talk about stereotyping)

X-Men: The Verdict

Its hard to put your finger on it, but X-Men: The Last Stand is slightly different to its predecessors. Perhaps its the departure of director Bryan Singer, perhaps the storyline is too busy, not enough effort on character development.

Whatever your opinion, this is still a comic book translation, so suspend your disbelief for a couple of hours and enjoy the ride. As one reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes said: The Last Stand is as good if not better than X2.

If theres a morality message, its lost in the dizzying special effects and fast pace of the movie. Its definitely worth a visit to the cinema, so dont believe the nay-sayers!