Logan (Review)
By: EyeSpyeAlex“Logan” is the newest X-men movie to come out of Twentieth Century Fox Films. It is also the final movie in the X-men series, and the final movie showcasing Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Sir Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier. Please note there are slight spoilers.“Logan” follows a now older Wolverine through his lonely twilight years as he works as a thankless chauffeur. Ailing and self-medicating with alcohol, Logan is trying to make enough money to care for a near-senile Professor Xavier, whom he has hidden away across the border in Mexico being cared for by a mutant named Caliban. Yes, the two main mutants are extremely far away from the School for Gifted Youngsters. Despite Professor X’s ramblings, Logan believes they are the only mutants left alive, and is doing his best to keep a low profile and earn enough money to get them out on the open water. His plan goes awry when a new young mutant named Laura gets thrust into his life. Sharing more than just the ability to brood, Logan and Professor X must travel to get Laura to safety and out of the cross-hairs of the unsavory group trying to find her.
For fans who have been waiting for Wolverine to really let his claws out, this movie is for you. It is unapologetically violent. The amount of blood, gore, and bodily debris that was presented in this film was done well. Post-fight injuries are significant: Wolverine can’t recover with just a witty comeback and nonchalance. His ability to regenerate is failing with age, and his battle wounds last longer and appear more brutal than shown in previous films.
“Logan” has a pretty solid storyline. The progression of the plot and thought process of our characters make sense, and there are no glaring potholes. There are certain events that are discussed that happen in this universe but pre-movie that left me wanting to know more, but overall I was satisfied with how everything was wrapped up. Please note that while there is no after credits scene, there is an amazing pre-movie moment.While “Logan” provides us with mature violence, it also provides us with mature fears. It’s about the fear of growing old and watching everyone around them die. It’s about questioning whether we’ve been a good person, or just performed good deeds, and wondering how the scale will balance in the end. It’s about regret, and about coming to terms with that regret. While it does have some moments of humor, it’s almost self-deprecating. It’s done in a way that highlights and amplifies how uncomfortable and unhappy Wolverine is with his life. It’s reactionary humor, and I could sympathize with our character’s needs to try to make light of the situation.
“Logan” also addresses the fallacy most people have of remembering the past through a nostalgia filter. Several times during the movie the adventures the X-men used to have are mentioned either through conversation, or by showing the audience the comic books that were published. This is often followed by dialogue discussing the idolization of the team and their heroics. Wolverine is quick to shut that down, and mentions that either the events didn’t happen that way, or that the writers left out that a lot of people were injured or killed. While appearing to be a subtle jab at Fox and their production of the series, it’s also a foil for how many look back at the past nowadays. There’s a disconnect from the horrors that have occurred that allow many to ignore them when they remember certain decades or events. This film makes it clear that doing that is a disservice to those that lived through it, and those that didn’t.As the final film of the X-men series, it also can be viewed as a standalone. Very few major characters are referenced by name, and the prior events referenced in this movie are ones I can’t recall happening in this storyline. The glory days of the X-men are mentioned multiple times though, so viewers should have a basic understanding of the universe before watching.“Logan” is a perfect swan song for the franchise. Gritty, bitter, and action-packed, it is a movie which does justice to the title character.[yasr_multiset setid=0]
