Review of Logan (2017) by Derek B — 09 Jun 2017

Well, it took nearly 10 years. But finally, a film surpassed The Dark Knight as my favorite comic book movie.

Similar to The Dark Knight, Logan aims to be a much more mature comic book movie. Not just because of how graphic it's violence is (though yeah, this movie is definitely a hard R rated movie), or how strong the language is (Wolverine's always had a bit of a potty mouth. But he, along with Xavier drop F-bombs constantly). Tough both of these aspects do add to the tone and feel of the film, that it's not for kids, that it's gritty and violent, and that Wolverine and Professor X are now both bitter old men after everything they've been through. Wolverine in particular feels he has nothing left to live for other then taking care of Xavier.

But the film focuses a lot on character, a lot of people are comparing this movie to a western, and I certainly see it. Wolverine in this movie is very much the bitter old hero, way past his prime, who's lost his way, and, albeit reluctantly, on one last ride.

Which wouldn't be near as compelling without the performances of Hugh Jackman, Sir Patrick Stewart,and new comer Dafne Keen. I've said a couple of times, but it's the truth. Hugh Jackman deserves an Oscar nomination for this film.

Also a bit of a spoiler here. So don't read if you haven't seen it. But Wolverine's evil clone, X-24. Why I think he works. More then just the typical evil clone/inner demon angle. But in his fights with X-24, Wolverine is fighting his own mortality. He's past his prime, he doesn't heal as well as he use to, he's slowly dying (As a result of his old age, Wolverine's healing factor is starting to decline, and as a result, the adamantium inside of his body is causing him to feel the effects of metal poisoning, as a result, Wolverine is slowly dying) Fighting someone, who is literally himself at his peek, in his current condition. I cannot think of a more fitting way, for a man to struggle with the fact he's slowly dying.

It's also pretty family focused. Wolverine's only reason for living at this point, it to take care of Xavier, who's something of a father figure to him (Even though Wolverine actually is more then twice Xavier's age. Least actual age, not mentally or physically), and throughout the film, meeting his own daughter.