I heard rumors a couple of weeks ago that the new X-Men film would be the last one. Hogwash, I thought, as the franchise has been growing in popularity, with X-Men II being one of, if not the best comic book film adaptation of all time.

The premise behind The Last Stand is that a pharmaceutical company has created a "cure" that suppresses the gene that allows a person to develop a genetic mutation, if their "x" gene was present. The President sees this as a cure while Magneto believes that mutants are just fine the way they are, and are, in fact, the next step in human evolution. Another battle is brewing with the Department of Homeland Security ramping up and the familiar lingo associated with the war on terror and Bin Laden being bandied about. Magneto becomes the world's most wanted man, er, mutant.

While this is happening, a very powerful X-Man from the first film reappears, but isn't quite herself. With a dual personality, Professor Xavier seeks to control her carefully, lest her darker, wilder, personality take over. When calm, she seems indifferent and otherwordly. When she loses her cool, she takes on an undead look, particularly in her eyes, before turning everyone around her to dust.

The President's cabinet now includes mutant Dr. Hank McCoy (Kelsey Grammer) — Beast in the comic book series — who is in charge of the Department of Mutant Affairs.

Once again, Hugh Jackman is Wolverine, the grizzly, but loyal Canadian with unbreakable metal bones and the ability to heal injuries. He's still the most prominent character in the film for me. Patrick Stewart also does a fine job as Professor Charles Xavier, but it's Ian McKellen, magnetic as the charasmatic leader of anti-mutant rebellion, Magneto, who is the most riveting actor in the film.