Logan - Movie Review
After 17 years of playing a rabid Wolverine, everything has all lead to this film. Being billed as the final portrayal for Hugh Jackman, how well did "Logan" hold up? Let's break it down.
Logan is directed by James Mangold and is the final film where Hugh Jackman will take on the mantle of the infamous Wolverine character one last time. Taking place in the distant, dark future of 2029, an old, burnt out Logan (Jackman) and a sickly, older version of Professor X (played by Patrick Stewart) must come to the aid of a young, new mutant that's being hunted down by a mysterious, malicious squadron.
For the first time in history, this Wolverine film is Rated-R. That's a rare anomaly for a comic book movie in today's day and age. If there was ever a character in literature that needed an R-rated adaption to film, it would be Wolverine. That's just the rating though, how was this story executed?
I only truly love three comic book movies: The Dark Knight, Captain America: The Winter Soldier & Civil War. Well, now it's four. In all honesty, this final chapter in the story of Logan is crafted so brilliantly in this film.
As I touched before, this film is Rated-R and that's not just for show. This is a hard "R" movie, there's no way to sugar coat it. From the opening scene alone, the audience can tell this is going to be brutally violent and for me, I love every second of it. There's a great amount of gore utilized in the story, but it all has impassioned meaning behind it. The action set pieces are fast-paced, vicious, and emotionally charged thanks in part to a thrilling screenplay from James Mangold and a stellar performance by Hugh Jackman.
Speaking of Jackman, he gave the best performance of his entire career. Jackman has portrayed the Wolverine for nearly two decades after being casted in 2000 and everything since then has been an evolution into this broken, hostile character represented here. Hugh Jackman knows this role like the back of his hand and it shows through this final depiction. Per usual, Patrick Stewart is also so great in this film, reprising Professor X for what will most likely be his last go-round as the character in the X-Men universe.
This film is such a refreshing change of pace from any X-Men movie before it. At its core, this is a very bleak, serious character piece. That's not to say that everything in the film is depressing, there are fun segments scattered throughout, but for the majority of this plot is surrounded in a vast amount of emotional despair. I couldn't believe that by the end of this Wolverine film, my eyes were actually watering a little. Doesn't that sentence sound kind of funny? A Wolverine movie made my eyes water. I kid you not, this is a strong, riveting adventure for the titular character.
Final Take
If you know someone who has ever said they're tired of all these comic book/ superhero movies that come out, Logan is the film you show them. This movie floored me from start to finish. I couldn't imagine a better send off for one of the most iconic heroes of the modern era. This is an emotionally gripping, thought-provoking character film and a satisfying swan song for Hugh Jackman's Wolverine persona.
I'm going to give Logan an "A+" on the movie grading scale. I'll be very surprised if this film isn't in my Top 10 this year. This was everything fans and I alike, wanted out of an R-rated Wolverine movie. If you're not a fan of mainstream superhero movies, this is the film to see.
As always, thanks so much for reading and make sure to stay posted to Frank’s Takes for more reviews. Until next time, keep it 100.
-Frank
