The final act is a special effects extravaganza, as Magneto and his army wreck havoc on San Francisco, with cars flying and a pretty spectacular sequence involving the Golden Gate Bridge and a huge battle between Magneto's army and the X-Men.

My biggest complaint with the film is the lack of character development. In Singer's films, the characters evolved and were allowed to develop into real people, despite their super-powers. In The Last Stand, their growth is stunted. The characters just don't seem as real as they have in the past. Also, the movie focuses more on Storm than Wolverine, and Halle Berry just doesn't have Hugh Jackman's charisma. Sure, the films aren't just about Wolverine, but he is a powerful presence (although, not as much this time around).

There are some surprises in this film, which I will not give away here, but needless to say, not all X-Men are on hand at the film's conclusion.

Don't get me wrong, the film isn't terrible; it's great summer entertainment, and it will get my recommendation. There are many spectacular special effects sequences. But special effects cannot make a movie; the human element needs to be present. I'm sure there will be lots of debate among the die-hard X-Men fans over the direction Brett Ratner has taken the franchise.

Recommended.