In my first year of writing this blog, I reviewed the 2013 film "The Wolverine" and referred to it as a film worthy of the character. While that's still a good film, it really can't be compared to the final film of the trilogy, "Logan". Now, I know it's not a true trilogy in terms of an arc, but any case, Wolverine movies until now have kind of been overlooked in the X-Men franchise. "Origins" is the worst of all of them, and "The Wolverine" is criminally overlooked. But when it came to "Logan", which is set to be Hugh Jackman's final time portraying the character, it's clear they wanted to give audiences something great and memorable. They have succeeded.
Right from the first scene, it's made clear that this is different from any other Wolverine, X-Men, Marvel, or any superhero movie from before. It's rated R, which makes sense when your main character has sharp claws that come out of his hands, and he makes good use of them throughout the film in very bloody fashion. The actions of Logan, as well as other characters in the movie, are ones we've never seen before in previous films, at times taking me by surprise. I only wish in some instances that the action wasn't as fast paced as it was to appreciate the brutality. I know that sounds morbid, but this is film is supposed to be Wolverine at his finest and I kind of wanted to take it in as long as I could. If I could compare this film to Deadpool, the X-Men franchise's only other R-rated film thus far, there's definitely a lot more gore and they're taking it very seriously. The best way to look at it as that Deadpool is the over-the-top, juvenile R, while Logan is the gritty and grounded R.
Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart, two of the stars who helped start the X-Men series way back in 2000, are back as Logan and Charles Xavier, and they are both in a very different spot than they were then. They are broken, having been through so much after all these years. Logan has lost almost everyone he's cared about, and considering he still remembers the old timeline that was erased in "Days of Future Past", that means he's experienced it twice. Besides that, his healing factor is waning, and much like in "The Wolverine", he's dealing with his own mortality, but there's no easy fix this time.
Then you have Charles Xavier, the wise mentor to the X-Men. It isn't outright stated if he's been afflicted with Alzheimer's or if its his own powers taking their tole as he's gotten older, but Charles mind isn't what it's used to be. We've always seen Charles as a shining light of hope to his students, always seeming to have the answers. Here, we realize he's still just a man and can suffer like anyone else. Knowing all that, it's kind of sad to watch him sometimes. But even then, there's still signs of the old Charles there.
Of course, there's another main character making her film debut, Laura/X-23, played by Dafne Keen. There are a few differences from her portrayal in the comics, but it works here. Laura remains quiet for a good two-thirds of the film, but it's in her quiet moments where she truly shines. Keen has to rely on body language to convey her emotions, which is very different when it comes to child actors. While still young, her character has already been through so much that her demeanor is understandable. Of course, they show she's just as dangerous as her father, and it's entertaining to watch her fight both on her own and side by side with Logan.
Between Laura, Logan, and Charles, all three make up the emotional core of the film. Regardless of the differences in all their ages, each of them are damaged to some degree, and while none of them would admit it, they all need each other. In any sense, they're what the X-Men should be: a family.
As for the villains, there's not really too much to talk about with them. They're the usual bad guys hunting mutants and wanting to use their powers for their own means. That said, they do seem a little more brutal in their methods than other groups in the past, but that can probably be attributed to the R rating. While they don't really stand out, that's okay because this film isn't really about them. (MINOR SPOILER): Not even Logan gives a shit about their "master plan" when he kills the leader of the group in the middle of his monologue, focused only on protecting Laura.
There's one review I've seen calling "Logan" the X-Men franchise's version of "The Dark Knight." In terms of story though, I see it more as "The Dark Knight Rises". It's the end of a trilogy where the main character is reaching the end of their journey, and going in, you don't know how things will end up, but in any case, they will leave a legacy behind. However, this is a film that I feel is deserving of an Oscar, which is something I haven't said about a comic book movie since "The Dark Knight."
All in all, this truly does feel like the end of an era. Jackman helped start the franchise and has been Wolverine ever since. While you don't need Wolverine to make a good X-Men movie, to think of him no longer being a part of things, or at least Jackman, is kind of sad. It wouldn't seem right to recast him either unless they decided to go with a full-on reboot. Hell, they could stop making X-Men films right now and I would feel we have a complete franchise. But of course, that's not happening. Fox is moving forward with sequels to both "X-Men: Apocalypse" and "Deadpool"; I can only hope Hugh can make the occasional cameo.
If Hugh Jackman's Wolverine has been part of your life in any way, or you enjoy films with graphic violence and an emotional backdrop, go see "Logan" to watch the character go out in a blaze of glory...just don't bring the kids.
RATING: 9.5/10
My Personal X-Men Film Rankings:
1. X-Men: Days of Future Past
2. Logan
3. X-Men: Apocalypse
4. Deadpool
5. X-Men: First Class
6. X2
7. The Wolverine
8. X-Men
9. X-Men: The Last Stand
10. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
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