The climactic third installment of the blockbuster X-Men motion picture series X Men: The Last Stand offers filmgoers an action-packed roller-coaster ride through a well-conceived science-fiction world that is eerily half-fantasy and half-reality. Remaining true to the tone of the two previous X-Men films, it also offers fascinating metaphors and deep philosophical questions on the issues surrounding gay life in a straight world.

The basic premise of the film's plot concerns the invention of a “cure” for the X-Men's “mutancy”. For the first time mutants have an option: they can either retain their mutant uniqueness and powers (though it isolates and alienates them), or they can surrender their essential natures in order to fit in with human society. The choice throws the two mutant factions into conflict over how to respond.

The film reunites veteran actors Patrick Stewart (as Charles Xavier) and Ian McKellen (as Eric Lensherr/Magneto) for a third time. Although Xavier opposes the “cure”, he seeks a peaceful resolution to the issue. Magneto simply believes in the supremacy of mutants over humans, and vows to eliminate the cure and anyone – mutant or human – who supports it. In The Last Stand, both of their opposing views are put to the ultimate test, as the “cure” issue triggers a nearly apocalyptic, “mother of all battles”. The struggle is not only one of mutant vs. human, but also mutant vs. mutant.

The film's producers have scored a coup in casting Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, Frasier) as Dr. Henry McCoy/Beast. Grammer's past forays into film and Shakespearian stage roles have tended to be somewhat overzealous and hammy. But his portrayal as a highly intelligent mutant politician gifted with superhuman agility and physical prowess is entirely engaging. His take on Beast (one of Marvel Comics most beloved X-Men heroes) almost steals the show.

Grammer's metrosexual presence adds considerable gay verisimilitude to the already substantial queer subculture theme of the X-Men saga. His Dr. Henry McCoy (U.S. Secretary of Mutant Affairs) is a kind of Barney Frank of the future – a politician who looks out for his mutant brethren. In the film, he ultimately must make a crucial decision between choosing allegiance to his country or to his own kind.

“The cure is the real villain of the story”, says Halle Berry (Storm) in the X-Men press release. “It's an issue I've struggled with my entire life. When I was a child, I felt that if only I could change myself, my life would be better. As I've gotten older, I've come to terms with what utter nonsense that is, and this movie adds light to that dark subject."

The “cure” is what enrages Magneto, who seeks to exact revenge on Homo sapiens by igniting a mutant revolution. He seeks out, recruits and trains mutants into his hidden army – the Brotherhood. “Nobody is going to cure us; we are the cure!” becomes their war cry.

Just like his onscreen character, actor Ian McKellen is also repulsed at the thought of individuals needing a “cure” simply for being who they are. As he says in the film's press release – “It's abhorrent to me, as it would be if a person said I need curing of my sexuality, or if someone said that black people could take a pill that would cure them of being black.”

McKellen dives into the character of the vengeful, megalomaniac Magneto with particular relish and bravado. His character may not exactly “chew up” all the scenery - but he sure does bend it, break it and throw it around.

McKellen fans are in for a special treat in The Land Stand. While he is already well known as a master of understated acting onscreen, the plot in this film gives audiences the chance to see him really open up and display his more theatrical, commanding performing capabilities, not to mention his classically trained, stentorian stage voice. His deliciously grand style and presence in the film's final mutant/human battle scene is of operatic, King Lear-like proportions.

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