The first two films were highly praised due to their tone. However, when director Bryan Singer left the series, many criticized his successor, Brett Ratner. Colin Colvert of the "Star Tribune" felt "Singer's sensitivity to discrimination themes made the first two "X-Men" films surprisingly resonant and soulful for comic-based summer extravaganzas ... Singer is adept at juggling large casts of three-dimensional characters, Ratner makes shallow, unimaginative bang-ups." James Berardinelli felt, ""X-Men: The Last Stand" isn't as taut or satisfying as "X-Men 2", but it's better constructed and better paced than the original "X-Men". The differences in quality between the three are minor, however; despite the change in directors, there seems to be a single vision." David Denby of "The New Yorker" praised "the liquid beauty and the poetic fantasy of Singer's work", but called Ratner's film "a crude synthesizer of comedy and action tropes." Singer's third film in the series, "X-Men: Days of Future Past" was also well received. Alonso Duralde of "The Wrap" felt that "Singer keeps things moving along briskly enough that you can just go along with the ride of Superhero Stuff without getting bogged down". "Spider-Man" director Sam Raimi said he was a fan of the series, particularly Singer's films. Film historian Kim Newman also tonally compared "Batman Begins" to Singer's films. "Logan" was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.