'X-Men' morph from moody to just angry

X-Men: The Last Stand expands on the themes of discrimination and alienation explored in the first two films, and still retains the franchise's signature kick-butt action features.

It also has a couple of emotionally resonant scenes that build on the first two story lines. But it lacks the intriguing moody quality of the previous films. The mutants are more pumped up and angry this time, rather than misunderstood and conflicted.

The main characters return for a third go-round. On the side of good are Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry), Rogue (Anna Paquin), Cyclops (James Marsden) and Jean Grey (Famke Janssen). On the dark side, Ian McKellen reprises his role as the steely Magneto, and Rebecca Romijn returns as Mystique, the shape-shifter.

A new and very blue face is that of Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Henry McCoy/Beast, a hirsute geneticist whose stuffed-shirt performance seems a bit jarring with the rest of the tough X-Men. Another new character, Angel (Ben Foster), plays a barely significant role; his most interesting scene is as a little boy (Cayden Boyd) attempting to saw off his wings.

The conflict between conformity and embracing one's uniqueness is further examined as Angel's doctor father (Michael Murphy) develops a cure for mutations. This kicks off a war between men and mutants. The mutant side is spearheaded by Magneto, who as a child saw his parents dragged off to a concentration camp because they were different from the ruling party.

Magneto and his former friend, the professor, tangle once again. Magneto resents the ruling humans' attempts to control mutants and espouses violence, while the professor favors reasoned calm and understanding. But it is an unexpected battle between the professor and a former student that comes as the big shocker.

Most astonishing visually is a scene in which the Golden Gate Bridge is dramatically dismantled by the powerful Magneto.

Director Brett Ratner seems to have a way of blending eye-popping special effects and ambitious action sequences with drama, but don't expect depth and subtlety. He has a more mainstream sensibility, so this film is slicker with more splashy effects, but you miss the brooding quality of the last two, directed by Bryan Singer.

The ending seems to leave things open for a fourth installment. Perhaps studios should think twice before calling a movie The Last Stand until they decide with certainty that it is indeed the final entry. (In some theaters at midnight tonight. Running time: 1 hour, 44 minutes. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence, some sexual content and language.)