Logan

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Richard E. Grant, Eriq La Salle, Elise Neal
Directed by: James Mangold
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Drama, Science Fiction
2017

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: In the near future, Logan (Hugh Jackman) is worn out, suffering a bleak existence caring for the ailing Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart). Both their lives are upturned when a young mutant (Dafne Keen) comes to them, fleeing dangerous men.

Review:

Tim: James Mangold has certainly created something special with Logan. It's first and foremost a goodbye to Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, a role that he's played in some capacity in 8 films over a span of 17 years (two of those films were cameos, but still). It's also a graphic, R-rated superhero movie, the first R-rated film of the X-Men franchise. And yet, it's also a film that transcends the superhero genre. This is a movie that feels more like a Western/drama (albeit without the cowboy hats). I enjoyed this film from start to finish, but it's that unforgettable conclusion that finally tipped the scales towards greatness, at least in my mind.

I do want to address the R rating. Wolverine should always have had an R rating- he's a violent, deadly character. The increased blood and gore was never gratuitous- that's who this character is. It was needed, it was essential to tell the final chapter of this character's story. I really appreciated that. Now, the language was a different beast. I have to admit I smiled gleefully when I heard Logan unleash the "F" word. He's uttered it before in PG-13 films, but it was freely to see that word flow freely in this R-rated movie. Now, my one complaint is that it felt like now that the bonds of decency were uplifted, the writers went a little overboard with the swearing. There's so many "F" words, too many, in fact. When you overuse that word (which I have to admire, I adore) it blunts the impact. It ruined a few scenes because of its unnecessary use. So, while the removal of the language restrictions was wonderful, it did get overused, unfortunately.

I loved the performance of Hugh Jackman. He was incredible as this world weary, past-his-prime character. It'll never happen, but Jackman deserves an Academy Award nomination for playing this role. He originated in 17 years ago, and to see this character's journey, to this, his final ride, is nothing short of astounding. This is easily Jackman's best performance as this character. He's flawed, he's exhausted, and yet his light still shines bright. It was a wonderful treat to see him in this role one last time. I loved pairing him with Patrick Stewart. Stewart has been incredible as Professor Xavier for the same 17-year span, but he never got this much screen time, this much to do. It was so fun to see such a terrific actor really able to dig deep into his character. I thought Dafne Keen was okay. I know everyone just loved her and was blown away by her performance. She was good, but I never loved her in this role. It must have just been me.

The story is good. It's not quite great, but it's simple and straightforward and it allows for quite a few dramatic moments. The action was worthwhile, but it's the quieter moments, the truly dramatic ones that resonate the most. This is a superhero movie, but it represents the next evolution of superhero movies. There's a place for these gritty, realistic looks. There's a need to treat superheroes not like costumed do-gooders, but as actual people, as true movie characters. I love that Mangold was able to do that here.

For most of Logan, I thought the film was really, really, really good. And then the final scene happened. The final image, which is one of the most brilliant, unforgettable moments I've ever seen in a film (any film, not just the comic book ones). I don't know where that image came from, but the visual just floored me. I got a little tear in my eye, realizing we were saying goodbye to Jackman in this role, one that I've spent my entire adult life (so far) seeing him in. It was a beautiful moment to reflect back on this crazy, unexpected journey. I started The Movie Files in 2001, a year after the original X-Men came out. As long as I've been tracking movies (and I'm over 3,180+ at this point), I've always been able to see Jackman in this role. After 17 years, Logan gives him the sendoff he deserves.

Logan is the rare film that transcends its genre. This isn't a great superhero movie, it's a great movie. Period.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Wolverine, X-Men