"In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan's attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces."
Logan isn't like any superhero movie
you've seen.
In fact, I'd call this a kind of
neo-Western... with mutants.
No one wears leather uniforms or
spandex costumes.
The plot doesn't involve saving the world.
The film is “Rated R for strong
brutal violence and language throughout, and for brief nudity” for
good reason".
And it is very, very good.
Director/Co-writer James Mangold did the previous film, The Wolverine, and like that, the passage of time and the weight of his actions hang heavy of Logan. He's is one of the last of the mutants left and the world has no need of them. We see Logan first as tired, drunk, sick, and just wanting to be left alone. But the arrival of a new mutant upends whatever plans he had to finish out his life.
There's a choice the Mangold has made
here, to focus on the Logan, Xavier, and the mysterious Laura, rather
than how the world has become nearly empty of mutants & how the
Pierce (Boyd Holbrook) and his Reavers play into it. It's a smart
choice. Unlike most comic book movies, the years of story that
Wolverine has, between the X-Men movies and the character's own
trilogy, is an opportunity few movie have had. Like John Wayne in The
Shootist and Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven, Logan is a capstone of a
iconic character.
Hugh Jackman has played Logan/Wolverine for
17 years now, and he's puts it all into it here. The pain and loss,
the choices he's made-all of that he carries inside and its killing
him But as the ultimate Marvel Comic loner, he also won't go down
easy. Jackman does a great job playing him as very much an open wound
that never heals. But the image of the Wolverine, both famous &
infamous, a comic book character in his own world, casts a long
shadow for Logan. He is truly fighting with his past in this movie.
With his last choices, Jackman gets to bring back the ronin, the
hero, one last time.
Patrick Stewart return as Charles Xavier
and, while this is Logan's movie, it is also a chance for him to
finish his character's time in this world as well. Xavier is still
one of the most powerful mutant's in the world, but like many his
age, his mind is starting to fail him. I doubt Stewart ever thought
he'd have the chance to go in this direction and he jumps at it. He's
cranky, sad, scared and belligerent, giving as good as he gets from
Jackman & Logan. He gets to bring closure to his character as
well as Jackman.
Dafnee Keen makes Laura look easy to play. I think any actor would have a challenge at having to act with the likes of Patrick Stewart, go claw-to-claw in action with Hugh Jackman, AND do it all without speaking. Did I mention she just turned 12? There is a lot of the movie to carry for the three leads and Keen is up there doing the heavy lifting right along with her two co-stars. Her acting and chemistry is essential to making this movie works.I can't wait to see more from her..
The movie is a road-picture, beautifully shot, and unafraid to take time for the characters to talk, rather than fight. BUT... if you're a fan of Wolverine as the berserker fighter of the X-Men universe, then you will NOT be disappointed. This is the version you've been waiting for since Logan first went SNIKT! Mangold uses the R-rating well, for a character that really, always has been R-rated but never allowed to be. The action is hard and brutal many times-as it should be.
I will say, the 3rd act bugs me. I wasn't looking for a full 180 on his character at the end, but I feel like opportunities were left unfulfilled, especially in his final fight. Almost an afterthought to what's come before.
I may not think it is the greatest
comic film of all time, as many other reviewers are saying. But it is
good, very good-DAMN GOOD.
One of the best.
WELL worth seeing on the big
screen.
Because you are STILL the best at what you do, Wolverine
– even one last time.
NOTE: There is no post-credits scene-but I would suggest not missing the beginning...