‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ stands up well

Are mutants blessed with special powers that can aid society, or are they suffering from a treatable medical condition? This question is the central plot point for “X-Men: The Last Stand,” the third film in this very successful series.

Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) has worked for many years to teach young mutants to develop and control their considerable powers. He has done this primarily through the Xavier Academy, which functions as a refuge as well as a school. Xavier’s diplomatic approach seems to have taken hold, as the government has created a Department of Mutant Affairs headed by a mutant who goes by the names Dr. Hank McCoy and Beast (Kelsey Grammer).

This acceptance is soon countered by the news that a “cure” for mutants has been developed. The head of a drug company, Warren Worthington (Michael Murphy), has been searching for a cure since discovering his son Warren III (also known as Angel) is a mutant with bird-like wings. The cure was developed from an antibody produced by a young boy named Leech (Cameron Bright), in whose mere presence mutants lose their power.

The discovery of a cure is the latest indication that society is in fact not tolerant of mutants. Such distrust has caused Xavier’s former colleague Eric Lensherr (Ian McKellen) to turn away from détente and instead pursue a more militant solution. Lensherr is a mutant named Magneto who possesses the power to manipulate anything made of steel or iron. Magneto is aided in his battle by his control of Dr. Jean Grey, a mutant known as Dark Phoenix.

As with the first two X-Men films, the young mutants at Xavier Academy are filled with angst and ambivalence regarding their powers. Many don’t have full control of their powers, and like most teenagers they just want to blend in. That desire is difficult to realize if you freeze or even kill everyone you touch.

The faculty at the academy firmly supports Xavier’s gentler approach, but they are badly outnumbered by Magneto’s forces. Led by Storm (Halle Berry) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), the few remaining students travel to San Francisco, where Magneto is preparing to storm Worthington Labs, headquartered on Alcatraz.

All this provides many opportunities for spectacular special effects, and “X-Men” does not disappoint. The fantastic powers of the mutants are regularly displayed, and virtually every episode is seamless in its execution. The huge climax, which involves destruction of the Golden Gate Bridge, is so realistic it appears to be the result of a massive earthquake caught on film.

Unlike many action films, “X-Men” takes the time to develop its characters and plot. We know what motivates the characters, and we understand their actions. Although the “X-Men” series is pure fantasy, the film is believable on a visceral level. Contrast this with the recent “Mission: Impossible 3,” in which characters are constantly ripping off latex masks until the viewer simply loses interest in the plot.

While the special effects definitely put people in the seats, the movie does receive a certain gravitas from the presence of Stewart and McKellen. Both these fine actors bring substance to roles that might be laughable in lesser hands.

Incidentally, don’t let the title fool you. This is definitely not the last installment of the “X-Men” series, as two more films have been announced: “Wolverine,” starring Hugh Jackman, and “Magneto,” set shortly after World War II and featuring McKellen.

Given what appears to be a record opening weekend, “X-Men” will likely be in theaters for a while. This is a big-budget action film, and the money spent is evident in every frame. If you’re only going to see one big summer film, you can’t go wrong picking this one.