X-Men: The Last Stand: 104 Minutes, Rating: M Dir: Brett Ratner, Starring: Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Halle Berry, Kelsey Grammer X-Men: The Last Stand is the conclusion to the trilogy of X-Men films based on Marvel comics’ mutant superheroes who fight for tolerance in a future society of discrimination. After Bryan Singer’s excellent first two X-Men films, expectations were high for X-Men: The Last Stand. However, this film is not only a massive let down and awful conclusion to the series, but also an example of much that is wrong with Hollywood cinema. The plot of X-Men: The Last Stand concerns the development of ‘The Cure,’ which is designed to reverse mutation and turn mutants into ‘normal’ human beings. When ‘The Cure’ is turned into a weapon in the humans’ war against the mutants, battle lines are drawn. Professor Charles Xavier’s (Patrick Stewart) team of X-Men desire peace between humans and mutants, while Magneto’s (Sir Ian McKellen) Brotherhood believe mutants are superior to humans and seek to exterminate the unevolved race. Complicating matters is the reincarnation of Jean Grey as The Phoenix (Famke Janssen), the world’s most powerful mutant, who can be used as the ultimate weapon by the side that wins her allegiance. Along for the ride are mutant favourites Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry), Rogue (Anna Paquin) and many more. To the enormous detriment of the X-Men series, Bryan Singer was replaced as director of the third instalment due to his conflicting schedule working on Superman Returns. He has reportedly maintained that he would have directed X-Men: The Last Stand had 20th Century Fox given him more time, however, they chose instead to replace him with Brett Ratner (Rush Hour 1 & 2, Red Dragon). Singer took his entire team including writers, production designer, editor, and cinematographer over to the Superman project. In contrast to Singer’s deliberate storytelling and coherent pacing, Ratner’s X-Men is a complete mess. There is no build-up of tension, long-serving characters are treated with contempt and disappear from the film, the dialogue is often weak and occasionally laughable (though not funny), and the climax is a cacophony of special effects with actors serving only as props. X-Men: The Last Stand’s biggest problem though is its fractured narrative. Ratner seems to forget about the ethical dilemmas of ‘The Cure’ and themes such as discrimination, intolerance and genocide early