'Logan' draws a triumphant close to lackluster series

Rating: 8/10 (23 August 2017)

The X-Men have had a turbulent experience acclimating to the big screen. Since the turn of the century, nine movies have been produced as a part of the X-Men series, each providing varying results. Installments such as "Days of Future Past" and "Apocalypse" have shown and fulfilled the potential of the series, while others such as "X-Men 3" and "The Wolverine" lay on the opposite end of the spectrum. Due to the uncertainty that comes with each new release, there was a tangible anticipation leading to the release of "Logan." Being the final addition to the series, this was the filmmakers' last opportunity to give their fans a movie they can appreciate. And fittingly, their last venture was definitively the best. After 17 years of reprising his role as the Wolverine, Hugh Jackman has capped it off with his best performance yet. A wild and ferocious, yet tender and human beast lies within Logan, and Jackman portrays this with amazing clarity. Physical characteristics of the scenery and characters were obviously essential to the set directors, as every scene was strikingly realistic and every face finely detailed. Personality exuded from each and every character, not only due to talented makeup artists, but to the enormous talent shown by almost every actor who was given screen time. Stephen Merchant gave a particularly chilling performance as Caliban, which was memorable to say the least. Apart from the previous films, "Logan" has a much more dramatic, emotionally-driven tone, going against the usual superhero movie archetype. Perhaps what gave the film the final push past its predecessors was the plot itself. In previous installments, it was at times difficult to find any genuine connection to the story, instead being forced to comprehend outlandish relationships between heroes and villains, family members, or others. In this edition, the plot was arguably the best part of the movie, during which one can't help but shed a tear once closure is drawn and the curtains close. Unlike many other long-running sequels, "Logan" was able to properly conclude the X-Men series. The story ran smoothly, logically, and at points, unbearably forward. Before its end, the film was able to forgive the X- Men of all their past transgressions, and tied all strings together for a grand finale of the ages. "Logan" deserves every bit of the high praise it has received since its release, and has wholly fulfilled and even heightened the reputation of the X-Men series.