Gritty, visceral, and emotionally stunning, Logan is an astonishing superhero entry that really packs the punch

Rating: 9/10 (4 March 2017)

Since the inaugaration of the X-men franchise back in 2000, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine has always stood as a compelling force to be reckoned with in the superhero. He is not firmly your average superhero, he is a hero with true grit and compulsion. Over the years, Wolverine has evolved into a powerful character aching with tragedy and sorrow similar to Batman from the DC universe. Although the iron-claw-wielding mutant has had more than his fair share of time to shine as a visceral cinematic figure, the X-Men franchise has never exercised his true, but gritty spirit to the fullest extent like Christopher Nolan did with Batman in the 'Dark Knight' trilogy...until now. Diving deep into the heart of the titular hero, this film journeys far into the grittier territory of the X-Men universe with a story tackling on complex themes of morality and sorrow that's plagued the inner being of the lead hero. And returning to the director's chair is James Mangold who last directed 2013's 'Wolverine'. Set in 2029, almost the entire mutant race has been wiped and one of the last remaining of the kind is Logan (played by Hugh Jackman). Retired from his glory days, Logan is now living in isolation caring for a dying 90-year old Charles Xavier (played by Patrick Stewart). When he's unexpectedly introduced to a young Latina girl named Laura (played by Dafne Keen) who happens to carry the same claw-wielding powers as him, he and Xavier must escort to safety. Pursuing after them are sadistic forces lead by half-human, half-robot Donald Pierce (played by Boyd Holbrook) who is set out to kill the young girl.
Here marks a major turning point for the X-Men franchise, and arguably one for the superhero genre. As this entry follows a much darker and somber story than the previous installments, it also strays away from the more family-friendly conventions of the both the franchise and the genre itself. Following the success of the R-rated 'Deadpool' which pushed the boundaries with over-the-top violence and sexually crude material, this one adopts an R-rating as opposed to the previous installments which housed a more friendly PG-13 rating. So this time around, when Wolverine hacks his enemies with those sharp metal claws of his, the results are much more gruesome and realistic than what we were accustomed to (let's not forget the four-letter words). While the bloody imagery may come as an objection to some viewers with a weak stomach (along with a small detriment to the box office), it allows the film to exercise to true and more devastating nature of the aching hero. The story introduces Logan as an aged hero is know devastated by the tragedy that put an end to his glory days, and a man strangled by an enemy he can't seem to defeat, his tragic past. The plot then carries out the relationship between him and a young girl with powers he knows little about, evolving into more of an atmospheric character study than a plot-driven story. Director James Mangold effectively builds on the nature of the fatigued character with rigid melancholy many superhero flicks have lacked over the past several years. To add to the spice, Mangold executes the story in the style that echoes the old western outlaw movies with a post-apocalyptic environment and criminal themes playing major roles in many scenes. Although the story meanders a little in the midsection, Mangold is very solid at keeping things moving.
Hugh Jackman has always stood as the show-stealer in the X-Men franchise with his portrayal as Wolverine/Logan. Unlike the previous entries, this film packs a punch with strong emotional grit and atmosphere that allows Jackman to exercise a more poignant performance than what he's demonstrated in the past. Jackman nicely knocks the ball out of the park with a somber performance as the titular character, a performance that also marks his final portrayal in the role before retiring as the iconic hero. Along his side, the only supporting to make his return from the previous entries is Charles Xavier whose role is proudly reprised by Patrick Stewart. With the aged Xavier know handicapped without his ability to walk, Stewart gives a blissful, if occasionally humorous portrayal as this signature role. Coming along for the ride is a young newcomer Dafne Keen who steps into the role of the mysterious young Laura born with a same clawing-wielding gift as Wolverine. Cashing in only little dialogue beyond a series of screams and occasional Spanish-spoken lines, her performance is displayed largely during the action sequences as we watch her slice and dice through the enemies in a violent, but dazzling fashion. While her performance stands strong, it is the subtly in which the character that makes her stand out.
Logan is astonishing superhero entry that packs a powerful punch with its gripping narrative and direction that defies the usual superhero conventions. It is an emotionally riveting that not only transcends the genre but serves as a spectacular sendoff to Hugh Jackman's Wolverine with results that are vastly satisfying.