Movie Review
This is part review, part tribute to an epic cinematic send-off and an iconic role played by Hugh Jackman.
Because after playing “Wolverine” a record-breaking nine times, both film and actor deserve it. And my friends, Logan is flat-out, a fantastic film. Not fantastic for a superhero movie, but as a film period.
Logan (Release Date: March 3, 2017)
In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X somewhere on the Mexican border. However, Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are upended when a young mutant arrives, pursued by dark forces.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Dafne Keen
Director: James Mangold
Rating/ Runtime: R- 2 hrs 17
My Thoughts…
I am still reeling after watching “Logan” Saturday night. Such a visceral and evocative experience, no wonder I have a movie hangover. There is so much I want to write that I feel a little overwhelmed and I’m not sure where to begin. Especially since I don’t want to drop spoilers by accident. Perhaps, some background info first.
“Logan” takes takes place in a dystopian future run by mega-corporations. The year 2029 to be precise, and it is very bleak. The movie is loosely based on the comic, Old Man Logan. “Old Man Logan” is an alternative version of Marvel Comics‘ popular character Wolverine. This character is an aged Wolverine set in an alternate future universe designated as Earth-807128, where supervillains overthrew the superheroes, and after he dies, X-23 takes up the mantel as “Wolverine”.
The next thing you need to know, is that if you try to fit “Logan” into the timeline of the X-Men Franchise, you will drive yourself bananas. It just doesn’t work, so don’t even try.
The last and most important thing you should know before seeing this movie, is that this isn’t a mega-budget, CGI-laden X-men extravaganza of the likes you are used to. “Logan” is a pared down, gritty drama with action scenes peppered through. And, it is R rated with a giant, capital R. You’ve never seen this Wolverine before and it is marvelous. Every F-bomb, claw-skewered head, and severed limb, shows us a more realistic view of how Wolverine would be if he hadn’t had any censorship. It’s intense to say the least.
“Logan” is not for the squeamish but if you can handle it, you will be rewarded with a raw, character-driven film that is truly gut-wrenching. Seriously, I’ve never cried so much watching a “superhero” movie but Hugh Jackman is that good. Never have I seen a more tortured, guilt-driven soul. In addition to what we already know about James Howlett, AKA Wolverine, we learn so much more because “Logan” delves deep into his character in a way we’ve never seen before, and it just breaks your heart. Don’t even get me started on how it feels to see a 90-yr-old Professor Xavier reduced to a bithering husk. Suffering with dementia that has life-endangering side effects for more than just himself. Oh the anguish!
Which brings me to the cast as a whole. Every single, talented person from Hugh Jackman to the smaller casted roles, deliver Oscar-worthy performances. I’m not kidding, this movie deserves an Oscar and so do many of the actors. Dafne Keen offers a riveting performance playing X-23/ Laura. She does not portray a shy mutant child like the students at the professor’s school. She is a weapon, her father in minature, and she’s frikin amazing!
This film will grab you in the first scene and dig in its adamantium claws. I sat, eyes wide-open, popcorn forgotten for all 2 hrs and 17 minutes and I already NEED to see it again.
I could write pages about this movie, it’s that deserving. I may not like that this is the end of the road for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, but Logan is a fitting epitaph for one of the most iconic movie roles in history. I don’t care if you’ve never seen an X-Men film, read a comic, etc… You must see this movie! I promise you will not regret it!
Rating… A+++
I’m still too emotional about this movie to think about it in a objective way…
The fact is that I enjoyed it (and really enjoyed Logan himself) but the action/plot of the movie… (basically the bad guys) didn’t convince me at all. I know this wasn’t supposed to be a movie like the rest of the Xmen, I knew that it was more character driven than the rest. Also that is was going to be darker and more reallistic which is exactly what we got.
Still I felt there was something missing for it to be a 10* movie (although I know I am in the minority). I should rewatch it again sometime because I really did love this send off , and the personal side to it. And yet I am not prepared to say goodbye to Logan or Hugh… it’s just not possible! I’ve also don’t remember crying this much on a movie about superheroes!! I don’t want no more Wolverines in this universe, no new casting, no nothing, Hugh Jackman will forever be the Wolverine!
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Oh I know I was bawling through the whole thing. The bad guys were pretty cookie cutter but the story and Hugh’s performance more than made up for it.
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Yes, he did. I can’t even begin to imagine a new take on Wolverine… He was perfect.
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I can’t believe I just read this! I haven’t read any of the hype about it and just gave in after us talking about it. I am dying to see it more now than ever!
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Lol! Good go see it! I can’t wait to see it again!
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It’ll be good when we can actually talk about it lol
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Definitely!
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I never would have given this movie a second glance, but your review has changed my mind. It sounds incredible. Thanks in advance for the recommendation! 🙂
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Oh it’s wonderful. You would never think of it as an x-men film apart from the claws lol. Let me know what you think.
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This movie was fantastic- it was all superhero moves should aspire to.
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Omg, Nancy I want to see it again like now lol. Ugh it just ripped my guts out over and over again. But in a good way 🙃
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I find it very apropos that you used the term “ripped my guts out” for Wolverine! 😉
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Ha! Not intentional, just a happy accident lol!
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Reblogged this on Reads & Reels.
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Thanks ☺
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I still haven’t seen the movie… sigh. I’ll get to it—I swear!
Brent
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I’ve seen some pretty great movies this year so far but this by far is the best. It’s just brilliant!
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Great review!
The movie was Epic for sure.
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Thank you 🙂
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