--- title: "X-Men: The Last Stand: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/x-men-the-last-stand/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/x-men-the-last-stand" critics_score: 63 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): what the critics said Critics' score 63 from 11 reviews: 4 positive, 5 mixed, 2 negative. The reviews lean towards qualified approval, with enthusiasm for the spectacle tempered by doubts about how well the sequel holds together. Praise centres on energetic action, the ensemble’s brief character moments and Famke Janssen’s Phoenix, whose scenes Total Film finds charged with emotion. Even some disappointed critics find flashes of invention in the use of mutant powers. The spread is wide, and critics disagree about the storytelling as much as the spectacle. Eye for Film praises the considered storylines and moral dilemmas, while The Guardian finds that the large cast does not overwhelm the central plot. Elsewhere, reservations cluster around crowded plotting, thin characterisation and diminished emotional weight compared with the earlier films. The AV Club also finds the action short of flair, underlining how sharply the same set-pieces divide those who find this entertaining from those who find it perfunctory. ## Little White Lies — Matt Bochenski Rating 1/4/1. 12 May 2006. The critic calls the film a frustrating, insulting failure and says it does the X-Men no justice. He singles out Phoenix’s few scenes of unleashed power as among the film’s best, against slapdash filmmaking and continuity errors. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/x-men-the-last-stand) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 76/100 (inferred from the text). 26 May 2006. Bradshaw finds the film lively, likeable and occasionally affecting, making it a satisfying summer blockbuster. He praises its ability to give the large cast of X-Men small, memorable moments without losing the plot’s central drive. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2006/may/26/1) ## Empire — Dan Jolin Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 20 May 2006. Jolin finds the sequel enjoyable but less focused and polished than X2, with Singer’s absence noticeable but not fatal. He especially praises the energetic set-pieces and fan-service, while criticizing the crowded structure and some clunky writing. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/x-men-last-stand-review/) ## Screen Daily — Nick Hunt Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2006. The accessible page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is hidden behind the sign-in prompt. No praise or complaint is visible in the available text. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/x-men-the-last-stand/4027406.article) ## Time Out — Ben Walters Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2006. The available metadata does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It describes the comic-book concept as adaptable, but provides no specific praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/x-men-the-last-stand-1) ## The AV Club — Nathan Rabin Rating C+. 24 May 2006. Rabin finds the film a flat, uninspired sequel that falls far short of its predecessors. He criticizes Ratner’s workmanlike direction and the lack of panache in the action setpieces. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/x-men-the-last-stand-1798201755) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 3/5. 26 May 2006. The review calls it a plodding blockbuster that still has enough story, emotion and spectacle to please most fans. It praises Famke Janssen’s electrifying, tragic Phoenix, whose scenes crackle with energy. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/x-men-the-last-stand-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Rating 1.5/4. 23 May 2006. Schager calls the film an underwhelming, overstuffed flameout that favors spectacle over substance. He singles out the Golden Gate Bridge’s crash onto Alcatraz as a majestic image, while criticizing the thin script and underdeveloped characters. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/x-men-the-last-stand/) ## Variety — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 22 May 2006. Festival review. Chang finds the sequel rushed and emotionally diminished, though its action eventually gets the job done. He singles out the Alcatraz climax’s inventive use of mutant powers, while noting the film lacks the earlier installments’ atmosphere and weight. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2006/film/awards/x-men-the-last-stand-1200516077/) ## Eye for Film — Chris Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 May 2006. The critic is awed by the film and considers it a high-quality entry in the comic-book genre. They praise its well-considered storylines and moral dilemmas, along with the ensemble performances and special effects. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/x-men-the-last-stand-film-review-by-chris) ## The Skinny — Keir Hind Rating ★★★★. 15 June 2006. Hind finds the film eminently entertaining, though unlikely to win over viewers who disliked its predecessors. He praises its astonishing action and shocking surprises. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/x-men-the-last-stand-film_review) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/x-men-the-last-stand.md