Logan (2017)

Directed by James Mangold 

Written by James Mangold, Scott Frank and Michael Green

Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Boyd Holbrook and Dafne Keen

     We've come a long way since Bryan Singer's 2000 X-Men movie- where we saw Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart first take on the roles of Wolverine (Logan) and Professor X (Charles Xavier). Now, 17 years later we see the two reprise their almost two decade long roles, for one last time. I couldn't help but feel sad that whole time I was watching Logan, despite how action-packed it was. It is a movie about morality, and a lesson on how we all get old. Superheroes movies get re-made all the time, and the superheroes remain the same age and have different actors playing them. Contrary to popular belief, superheroes/mutants do age, and Logan is the perfect example of that. 

     The movie is set in the distant future, 2029- and all mutants have been hunted to extinction, with the exception of a few including Logan, Professor X and the albino mutant tracker, Caliban (Stephan Merchant). This movie shows us a caregiver side of Logan, as he is taking care of a now 90-something year old Charles- with the help of Caliban. Since we've last seen the Wolverine, he has tamed down and started to lay low unlike his days in the x-men. This all begins to change as a young mutant, Laura (Dafne Keen) comes into his life. Laura is the rarest of rare, considering no new known mutants have been born in 25 years. She has been genetically engineered using the DNA from Wolverine, making him her father. It's not just the fact that Logan's daughter comes into the picture that sets his life astir- its that she is being hunted, thus dragging Logan and Charles on a man-hunt across many states to get her to safety. This sets the scene for an intense road trip which ends with an unforgettable final showdown. 

     Logan is like The Dark Knight in that it has a very dark demeanor to it. Aside from its darn nature however is a slue of intense action scenes, earning it's R rating. Seeing Wolverine fight alongside his daughter viciously in multiple scenes is very cool to watch for a Marvel fan. Seeing Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart reprise these roles for one last journey was very bitter sweet. We've seen Wolverine grow a lot in the nearly two decades he's been on the big screen. Jackman gives Logan a much more depressing, self-loathing attitude in this film. Logan holds a lot of remorse from his past, and his now bleak future of caring for the ailing Charles. This was his best portrayal of Wolverine yet. I really enjoyed seeing Patrick Stewart have a bigger independent role that wasn't a shared spotlight with Ian McKellan. Newcomer, Keen brings a lot of young energy and vivaciousness to this role. I wasn't sure about her being so young going into this, but seeing the new energy she brings to this important role changed my mind. I would love to see a spin-off involving her. 

     So, apparently an early year release for a superhero film is the way to go- as we saw with 2016's Deadpool release, and with this years Logan. This movie sets a very strong pace for the remainder of action themed movies this year, let alone superhero movies. Good luck DC. Logan is easily the best Wolverine film, and one of the best Marvel movies thus far. Marvel ended him with a huge bang. 

I give Logan an...

8/10