X-WOMAN REBECCA ROMIJN

X-Men: Last Stand: Kerry Hayes

X-Men: The Last Stand

RELEASE DATE May 26

WHY WE CAN'T WAIT An all-star ensemble of skilled thespians (Halle Berry! Hugh Jackman! Ian McKellen!), an intellectually chewy allegorical narrative, deep emotional impact — oh, and comic-book thrills and superheroic action spectacle.

THE PREMISE Each of the mutant heroes must decide whether to take advantage of a new cure that promises to make them normal (and powerless). As usual, an apocalyptic showdown looms.

SOURCE The first two X-Movies, based in turn on the Marvel Comics series

THE BACKSTORY Despite the title, franchise producer Ralph Winter says, ''This is not the last movie. There are a lot more stories. There's a wealth of characters.'' In other words, if some of your favorites die in this installment, there's plenty more where they came from.

BURNING QUESTION Can the work of Rush Hour director Brett Ratner, never a favorite of critics or fanboys, live up to the standards Bryan Singer set in X-Men (2000) and X2: X-Men United (2003)?

COME FOR Wolverine, Storm, Magneto, Professor X — the whole posse of familiar heroes and villains

STAY FOR The newbies, comics fan favorites finally making the leap to the big screen, including blue-skinned Beast (Kelsey Grammer), the majestic-winged Angel (Six Feet Under's Ben Foster), and the gal who can walk through walls, Kitty Pryde (Hard Candy's Ellen Page)