Logan (Hugh Jackman) has found himself part of a world far different than what he had known when he was part of the X-Men. With most mutants gone from the planet, his mentor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) in terrible shape, and his own powers dwindling, the world-renowned Wolverine finds himself in a terrible place. Logan must find solace in what he’s become, what he’s created, and all that he’s done before it’s too late–but accepting the turbulent life that he’s led will prove to be far more difficult than expected.
The X-Men universe ends here. After all that the many mutants have been through, after all that they have seen and done, Logan is the final chapter, the epic conclusion to one of the most highly regarded franchises in history. Sure, some X-Men related films were released after Logan, but in the timeline of this universe, Logan comes last. It’s a tall task to wrap up all that viewers know and love about some of their favorite superheroes, but Writer-Director James Mangold accepted this responsibility regardless–and he delivers on levels that I’m not sure that anyone could have expected.
Two of the most popular characters in X-Men lore, Wolverine and Professor X, are some of the last remaining mutants on earth, and they, with newcomer Laura (Dafne Keen), are the focus of this dangerous tale. They are the perfect trio to guide this film, and they bring a beautiful combination of young and old, jaded and naive–and what they bring to the table is something truly wonderful. The lighthearted action sequences and comedy are the things of X-Men past, and now a far more mature, dark version of what viewers had gotten used to fills the screen. Jackman, Stewart, and Keen possess a genuine understanding of how to reach viewers via comedy and emotion, and Logan thrives as a result of their prowess. It’s hard to say which of these three actors impresses the most, as each of them brings something to the film that wows throughout Logan’s entirety. Jackman impresses with his impeccable action skills, Stewart with his unparalleled ability to evoke emotion, and Keen with the way in which she not only supplements the others, but creates comedy and emotion. They complement one another, and together they help to create what is still (and will likely remain) one of the greatest superhero films of all time.
While the action and the comedy have been amplified in a number of ways, the narrative present in Logan is more fine tuned, more streamlined, and more relatable than before. Fully focused on the ideas of family and life after conflict, Logan reaches viewers in ways that superhero films hadn’t quite been able to before this. Relatability is just the tip of the iceberg in Logan, as each and every moment reaches viewers on an emotional level, brilliantly shedding light on the harsh realities of the real world in unique and genuine ways. This deep dive into honesty bridges the sometimes present gap that exists between viewers and superheroes, and it creates a bond between the silver screen and the real world.
There’s nothing quite like Logan, and the many moving parts, the simply perfect acting, and the narrative that refuses to leave anyone behind constantly remind viewers why this film was so successful. There’s no ignoring the fact that Logan is a bloodbath full of grotesque language and heartbreaking storylines–and that’s something that not everyone can always accept. But the reality is that without these things, Mangold’s film doesn’t deliver in the same fashion. There are aspects of the film that are difficult to express using words, but the best way seems to be that Logan is the perfect blend of violence and heart.
Directed by James Mangold.
Written by James Mangold, Scott Frank, Michael Green, etc.
Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Richard E. Grant, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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