Satisfyingly Emotional Conclusion; Fresh Approach

Rating: 8/10 (21 March 2017)

Logan, the swan song for Hugh Jackman's grizzled antihero, offers an utterly different variant on the over-saturated market of superhero films with an emotional and character-focused film that keeps mindless action to a minimum and offers some genuinely crafted character development. The film takes place after the apparent extinction of mutants in the future, with Logan and Charles Xavier hiding out from humanity and looking to retire on the USA-Mexico border, before being thrown a curve-ball in the shape of a girl who appears to offer hope for a future for mutant-kind.
Having played Wolverine in ten films now, the role fits Hugh Jackman like a glove. Things have changed now, with the Canadian veteran nearing the end and displaying clear weakness in both his fighting ability and healing powers. The same can be said for Patrick Stewart's Xavier, who, suffering from dementia, must receive around-the-clock care to prevent life-threatening seizures from taking hold. The emotional impact of Logan is where it excels, with the benefit of characters who have been developed over the course of several films allowing director James Mangold to explore the themes of death and the future without needing to set up the characters first. The film unfolds on the scale of a Shakespearean tragedy, and seeing Wolverine, once undisputed ruler of his kingdom, reduced to an old man struggling to keep himself going on, is an image clearly reminiscent of King Lear and Macbeth.
Logan also benefits from the relaxation of certification - rated 'R' in the US and '15' in the UK, this makes it a film which no longer needs to pander to the market, but instead is free to target itself at those who want to see something different. Mangold approaches this increased flexibility with glee, and the level of violence (not for the squeamish) and profanity (the first word spoken in the film is 'fuck') is noticeably different to the majority of similar superhero films. The more mature nature of the film allows for a more realistic feeling journey, where Wolverine's claws cause more violent and bloody damage than the toned-down violence of the previous PG-13 X-Men films.
Furthermore, as a film it is an effective and near-perfect way to phase out the X-Men and usher in a new era, without making it feel like a 'Where are they now?' round-up of all the X-Men of the last 17 years. It is a well-made film which loses its way in places and may not live up to its super-emotional billing but will certainly entertain fans of the franchise who will appreciate its handling of the characters, as well as hold up as an interesting and heart-rending fantasy drama. 78/100.