Welcome back again to my blog on all things pop culture with my review of "Logan" I really enjoyed this movie overall and would like to advise if you haven't seen it already you are OK there won't be spoilers, I may hint at certain events and characters but, I won't spoil any major plot points.
If you haven't seen the many trailers, each more moody and darker than the last then let me explain what "Logan" is roughly about. Logan is set in the not too distant future where we find "Wolverine" or "Logan" as he is going by now working as a limo driver on the US/Mexico border. "Professor Charles Xavier" is frail and suffering for numerous degenerative conditions and is being cared for by Logan as well as another mutant, "Caliban". The majority of mutants are dead but, when a mysterious little girl with similar gifts to "Logan" turns up looking for help from an evil band of enhanced mercenaries, "Logan" faces one of the hardest challenges to date.
Firstly I would love to say that I've never been a massive fan of the "X-Men" franchise. I enjoyed the first two movies as well as the newer stories that featured the younger "Xavier" and "Magneto". The Wolverine centered films were largely a dissapointment; "Origins" just felt really disjointed and rushed with the obvious foul up of messing with "Deadpool" and "The Wolverine" was largely enjoyable apart from the 3rd act. I was a little apprehensive about the final appearance of Hugh Jackmans "Logan". I'm really glad that after 17 years and a whole heap of films "Wolverine" finally got a movie worthy of his angry, brutal character.
The overall performance of Hugh Jackman was fantastic. He plays "Logan" as a man of few words and incredibley hostile, why wouldn't he be ? He just wants a quiet life, free from hassle or violently having to skewer people with his impervious, metal claws. As the film progresses you discover that "Logan" is haunted by his past life and actions, filled with regret and almost waiting for a death that might never come. Jackman plays "Logan" as a western style anti hero in the vein of Clint Eastwood or John Wayne, shooting a glance or holding himself in a way that says everything that his words might have. I really feel that this is the performance that Jackman has always looked to have in this series. Patrick Stewart is brilliant as the increasingly frail "Charles Xavier", almost heart breaking in places to see how far the once strong leader has come. As with "Logan", "Xavier" is almost at peace with his own mortality; after all he is in his 90s at this point in the "X-Men" timeline. The only difference between "Xavier" and "Logan" is that he has hope for his mutant kind surviving in the mythical Eden. New comer Defne Keen is fantastic for an actor of her age as "Laura/X23", barely having more than a handful of dialogue until the back end of act 2. Like "Logan", "Laura" has been enhanced by an evil corporation but, is confused by her rage and abilities needing guidance and advice to harness her gifts. Like Jackman, Keen says more with a glance or mannerism than any line of dialogue. The supporting cast is sparce. Stephen Merchant is great but, under utilised as "Caliban". I appreciate that this film is really about the 3 central characters, however I would have liked to seen a little more explaination as to how "Caliban" came to be in the life of "Logan". Boyd Hillbrook is immensly unlikeable in a good way as "Donald Pierce", the mercenary of "Transigen". Like Merchant I would have liked to have seen a little more character development, maybe explaining how he became enhanced, why he needed enhanced ? Richard E.Grant was great but, also under utilised and understated as lead doctor of "Transigen". Very little in the way of characterisation which is a shame really. The reason he is pursuing the mutants is mostly just a throw away comment near the end of the film.
The action sequences in "Logan" are incredible. Whilst a few may complain about the sheer visceral nature of the fight scenes I really thought it was necessary for a film of this type. "Logan" is far more grounded in realism, which sounds ridiculous considering that it's a film about mutants. Showing the blood shed and violence supports the narrative that "Logan" is filled with regret and shows that there is consequence and cost to his actions. As I mentioned previously "Logan" plays more like a western style film that just so happens to have mutants in it. It feels low budget and gritty, like "All Superheroes Must Die" with a budget. My one concern is that the action is so fast paced at some points that it's almost overwhelming considering that the action sequences are few and far between. My one gripe with the film is that the 3rd act is under played. I appreciate that this a big moment in both the history of the character and also the "X-Men" universe as a whole but, the final battle was a little bit of a damp squib. There was also the lack of certain plot points that I got a little confused about. It's maybe just the geek in me but, there was no mention of which timeline that this movie took place in, and more to the point where do "Apocalypse", "Days Of Future Past" etc fit into the overall narrative.
As has become standard with the superhero genre now, the audience was looking for a mid credits or after credits scene and I for one am glad that "Logan" wasn't cheapened by a set up for another film. There is however a delightful teaser short for "Deadpool 2". Really worth seeing online and I will post a link at the bottom of this review.
Overall I think "Logan" is one of, if not, the strongest entry into not only the "Wolverine" but, the "X-Men" series as a whole. Incredibly different from a standard superhero movie using a narrative style common with western films. I would urge you to see it on the big screen and prepare for a heart breaking, blood filled ending to Hugh Jackman as "Logan"
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