Hugh Jackman returns for his final performance of his iconic Wolverine character in “Logan” and if this is his last outing, he has picked the best of the series for his swan song.
The film takes place in the near future where an aging and broken down Logan makes a living driving a limo near El Paso.
The man who does not age and instantly heals has found his powers are rapidly fading and he has lost much of his will to live and only the fact that he is secretly watching over an aged and dementia riddled Professor X (Patrick Stewart), gives him any purpose in life.
Logan is a very angry and broken individual who wants nothing more than to purchase a boat and escape with the Professor, something that their Albino companion Caliban (Stephan Merchant) has an issue with due to his severe issues with the sun.
It is revealed that there have not been any new mutants born in over 20 years and as such, those that are left are very scarce, and considered a dying breed.
When a woman encounters Logan she insists that she take her and a young girl to a locale, but Logan wants no part of this. His suspicions are raised when a mysterious agent contacts him and tells him that he needs to let them have the girl and woman should they contact him again. Logan finds his fragile world upended when fate forces him, the Professor, and the mysterious girl to run after a deadly encounter with a large squad of troops and police.
It is revealed that the girl is part of a secret experiment that those behind it will stop at nothing to control and as such, Logan is brought into a conflict that he wants no part of.
In a bloody and violent series of confrontations, Logan must find the strength he no longer has to keep those in his care safe against overwhelming odds.
“Logan” is a darker and more violent look into the Marvel world. The film earns an R rating due to the graphic violence which underscores the intensity and danger of the world in which Logan now lives in. Jackman plays the character as a worn down individual who wants nothing more to do with his glory years and simply has grown tired of living in his former shadow.
Stewart is very good in a sympathetic role of seeing the powerful man he once was diminished due to age and mental illness as he and Logan have become pathetic shells of the once great people they were. Forced to live in seclusion and avoiding the very public they fought to save on multiple occasions.
Director James Mangold who also worked on the script clearly understands the characters and wanted to give fans a darker and more intense look into their world.
There are no grand super villains, legions of mutants, massive explosions, and abundances of FX shots to this story. Instead we get a raw and moving human story that is not afraid to let the characters drive the film. While there are plenty of action scenes in the film, they never overshadow the fact that the story is a tale of real people and not the typical comic film where viewers are deluged with constant eye candy. In fact the film actually keeps a very minimalistic approach to the visuals as much of it is set in the desert and other stark landscapes and towns.
The film does drag a bit as it nears the finale, but the payoff is highly satisfying and should delight fans.
The film is also moving in a way that one would not expect from a film in the X-men series and if this is truly the last outing for Jackman, he could not have picked a more perfect film as this is easily the best of the series.
4.5 stars out of 5.
Second Review by
by Joseph K. Saulnier
There’s been a lot of hype leading up to the release of Logan, FOX’s new, and final, chapter in the Wolverine Origins series. I must say, this is one of the few movies that lived up to it.
Set in 2029, Logan shows the future of mutants in the world. Few and far between they have become, with no new mutants having been born in quite a while. Logan (Hugh Jackman) has shed the name of Wolverine, and is now working as a limo driver trying to make his way in the world. Mostly he’s trying to save money to take care of Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), who is now an elderly man, and who appears to be suffering dementia. We know that something extremely bad is going on with Xavier, thought the movie sheds little light on what has caused him to need to go into hiding other than a catastrophic event.
As Logan is working, he is approached by a Latina women begging for his help as she recognized him as Wolverine. She is offering a substantial amount of money for his aid in getting her and an adolescent girl safely to North Dakota. Her appearance, sends Logan’s world back into upheaval as the people chasing after the woman and child begin hunting him down. What secrets does this little girl hold, and how does it impact Logan’s life? You’ll have to watch to find out.
If you got a ‘western’ vibe to the movie from the trailer with the prolific Johnny Cash song playing, then you hit it right on the head. The film had a very western feel in visuals and sound. It was very reminiscent of 3:10 to Yuma, and it totally works. By far, I would say that this is the best Marvel movie that Fox has produced to date. As you watch, you sometimes forget that this is based off a comic book as the movie is gripping from start to finish.
From what I understand, as has been told to me by a few colleagues, this film follows (loosely) the ‘Old Man Logan’ story line from the comics. Jackman and Stewart provide a provide captivating performances, and newcomer Dafne Keen (who plays Laura) shines through as the little girl Logan protects through much of the film. As I said, it is gripping, bloody, a little vulgar, but in the most excellent way. The opening scene of the movie sets the pace and tone very well, and the rest of the film lives up to it.
Don’t expect to find a post-credits scene with Logan, but rumor has it that a Deadpool 2 teaser is premiering with the film. I have only given one other perfect score in my time as a film critic, but I believe this one deserves. FOX has finally done well with a Marvel film, well at least better than the Fantastic Four endeavors. And like I said, best Marvel film from FOX to date.
5 out of 5.
