I know I have stated this many times on this blog before, but I've become more attracted to the focused, centralized comic book movie. I no longer care about a super hero movie that has world ending stakes. I feel like there are no stakes in that. It all comes down to how cool the action sequences are.
Not to sound like an old man, but they've become special effects spectacles and not always in a good way. That is why a movie like, Logan is so refreshing. Here we have a story that is focused on the personal battles of a few characters. Dare I say, this is like a chase movie. A genre that has become a favorite of mine.
Hmm, I'm three paragraphs in and I haven't really talked about the movie. Logan is a gritty, often times violent story of an older Wolverine who has come to grips with his new reality. Mutants are pretty much gone, the X-Men are dead and he has to look after a broken down Professor Xavier. I don't feel like this is a spoiler because this is mentioned in any plot synopsis you would read about this movie. I will respect those that haven't seen it yet and keep the rest of this spoiler free.
Normally I wouldn't say this about a super hero movie, but I think the acting really deserves praise here. I legitimately think that Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart should be eligible for the job they did in this movie. Jackman has shown a devotion to this character that few actors show in extended roles. The studio has interfered in some of this attempts, but at the end of the day, he wanted to do right by Wolverine and I expect that. That is why this movie is such a moving send off for him and the character. It's not just the makeup he put on for this movie, but the way he moves and talks displays a guy that has been through a lot and is nearing the end.
As far as the timeline goes, it almost makes little sense that Professor Xavier would even be in this movie, but his inclusion is to the movie's benefit. Xavier is a prideful man that has clearly fallen to his lowest point and that is reflected in the performance. Like Logan, Xavier is a sympathetic character here. Not to give a spoiler, but there is also the added weight of what has happened to him over the past couple of years.
I would be remiss if I didn't not mention the performance of Dafne Keen as Laura (X-23). She is fantastic in this movie. It's always great to see child actors that actually know what they are doing. I hope this spring boards her into more things.
I won't mince words, this movie is violent. The brutality of the fight scenes are not for the faint hearted. However, this is what has been missing from a movie with Wolverine. Let's be honest, for a movie about a guy with sharp knives in his hand, is bound to be violent.
To wrap this review up, I like the aesthetic of this movie, which is a character in itself. This is in the year 2029 and it is a world reminiscent of our own. You're not going to see a lot of crazy future tech here. Well, outside of the advanced genetic engineering that is at the heart of this movie. Anyways, every thing looks like it takes place in the dust bowl for most of the movie. Kind of like Mad Max. Other times, it just looks ordinary and I don't mean that as an insult.
This is a deeply personal movie for both the Jackman and the director, James Mangold. This movie is definitely in my top three of favorite X-Men movies along with X-2 and X-Men: First Class.
There were a lot of cool easter eggs for long time comic fans such as having Caliban or the Reavers. Those are more deep cuts within the X-Men universe.
I've now seen this movie twice and I would recommend it to anyone else.
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