X-Men, created from the Marvel comic of the same name was a massive sci-fi success way back in the 1990s. It introduced us to a world, not too far in the distant future where the "next stage in human evolution" is becoming more and more apparent. Humankind is becoming edgy about a portion of their population with powers that can be both a blessing and a curse.

Some of the mutants are using their powers to protect humankind, others see themselves as persecuted by yesterday's genetic throwbacks. The leader of the more militant band, Magneto, said way back in the first movie: "We are the future, not them. They no longer matter".

Following a successful sequel in the early 2000s (X-Men 2) and the apparent killing off of a major character, Gene Grey, the third film follows immediately on. The government have what appears to be a cure for the mutant X gene, which makes the mutants "normal". Some mutants accept this cure willingly, others take offence to it, claiming that they are not the ones who are ill.

Magneto gathers together a band of mutants to destroy all traces of the cure. Ever the humanitarians, the X-Men fight to protect the humans.

The cast includes many new characters in this movie, including Beast, Angel, Kitty Pride and Juggonaut to name but a few. But we also see the return of other character favourites such as Wolverine, Ice-man, Magneto, Mystique, Storm, Prof X, Rogue and Cyclops.

This film has a different feel to it, than the others did, due most likely to having a new director. This being billed as "The Last Stand", you can come to expect a few casulaties, and some unlikely characters are killed off (in some less than pleasant ways) in this film making for some rather depressing scenes.

But, despite that there is plenty of action and storyline to keep everyone interested throughout the trip. It's not as I would have anticipated it would be, but it was still a great film. One I will need to see again and soon.

see also:
Spider-man 3, Spider-man, Spider-man 2, Iron Man

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photo © 20th Century Fox.