More verdicts on "The Last Stand"

Here are a few more critics’ comments on “X-Men: The Last Stand.” Director Brett Ratner continues to take his lumps, but there are some kind words, too.

“Brett Ratner (taking over from Bryan Singer) and screenwriters Simon Kinberg and Zak Penn, inspired by Marvel’s comic books, have produced a slap-happy special-effects blitz stuffed with way too many characters, way too many cliches, way too many gaffes.” - Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

“Director Brett Ratner has none of the finesse or judgment of Bryan Singer, who made the first two ‘X-Men’ films. Ratner makes a hash of the story and characters his predecessor brought to such complex, sympathetic life, delivering a pumped-up exercise in mayhem, carnage and blunt-force trauma. - Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post

“After three trips to the well, the franchise is definitely showing some of its age, but ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ — reputedly the last in the series (we’ll see) — still manages to be an eye-filling fantasy extravaganza and a big crowd-pleaser.” - William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“A popcorn movie that has just enough subtext to keep it from spinning off into complete silliness, ‘X3’ won’t be sweeping the Oscars next year, but it sure should fill some seats this summer.” - Tom Long, The Detroit News