X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
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The X-Men must confront a deadly mutant cure and the awakening of a dark, godlike force within one of their own.
The story
In the present, Worthington Labs announces an inoculation to suppress the X-gene that gives mutants their abilities and offers the "cure" to any mutant who wants it. The cure interests some mutants, such as Rogue, while others are wary of it. Magneto re-establishes his Brotherhood of Mutants with those who oppose the cure, warning it will be weaponized to exterminate the mutant race. As the X-Men and the Brotherhood prepare for a confrontation over the fate of their kind, the resurrection of Jean Grey leads to the emergence of the Phoenix, a dark alternate personality with godlike destructive potential that threatens both humans and mutants alike.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In the past, Charles Xavier and Magneto meet young Jean Grey to invite her to join their school. In the present, Worthington Labs offers a 'cure' to suppress the X-gene. Magneto forms the Brotherhood to oppose the cure, while the X-Men work to protect mutant interests. After Jean Grey is resurrected, she is consumed by the Phoenix, a destructive force that destroys the X-Mansion and kills Xavier. The X-Men and the Brotherhood eventually clash at Alcatraz to stop the production of the cure. During the battle, Logan must confront the Phoenix. He ultimately stabs Jean to stop her, and she dies in his arms. Following the conflict, mutant rights are obtained, and the X-Men continue their work while Magneto is left seemingly human but with a hint of his powers returning. A post-credits scene reveals a comatose patient who speaks with Xavier's voice.
- First release year
- 2006
- Runtime (minutes)
- 104
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Brett Ratner
- Writers
- Simon Kinberg · writer; Zak Penn · writer
- Cast and characters
- Hugh Jackman · Logan / Wolverine; Halle Berry · Ororo Munroe / Storm; Ian McKellen · Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto; Famke Janssen · Jean Grey / Phoenix; Anna Paquin · Anna Marie/Rogue; Kelsey Grammer · Dr. Henry "Hank" McCoy / Beast; Patrick Stewart · Professor Charles Xavier; Rebecca Romijn · Raven Darkholme / Mystique; James Marsden · Scott Summers / Cyclops; Shawn Ashmore · Bobby Drake / Iceman; Aaron Stanford · John Allerdyce / Pyro; Vinnie Jones · Cain Marko / Juggernaut
- Genres
- superhero; action; science fiction
- Themes
- identity; prejudice; power; sacrifice
- Tone and mood
- action-packed; serious
- Setting
- Modern day, including locations such as the X-Mansion, Alcatraz, and San Francisco.
- Premise and plot tags
- superhero; mutant; rebellion; transformation
- Source material / true-story basis
- Marvel Comics
- Franchise connections
- X-Men
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who noted it was inferior to its predecessors but praised the performances, visual effects, and action sequences.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 58 · scale: 100 · review count: 38
- Production trivia
- It was the most expensive film ever made at the time of its release.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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