Unique and bleak, this comic book film stands out.

Rating: 8/10 (4 March 2017)

Hugh Jackman is back to play his signature role of Wolverine in this unconventional, brutal, and very well-made superhero film. From the first frame, it's clear that "Logan" isn't your typical Marvel or DC film. Despite the R rating, its unquestionably somber tone is also very different from the dry, raunchy humor that made "Deadpool" stand out.
Jackman's performance is powerful from beginning to end. The grit and emotional power he wields while playing Wolverine this time is very different from any previous film iterations of this character. It also invests the viewer more fully in the story, while examining Wolverine as a weary, flawed, and in many ways realistic character rather than a comic book caricature. The supporting cast, particularly Patrick Stewart as Professor X and Dafne Keen as Laura, are excellent as well. The film's dark tone mixed with realism makes the film special. While the film is difficult to watch at times, its setting near the U.S.-Mexico border in 2029 mixed with the tone create a harsh reality and critique of modern society.
Despite the masterful tone and quality of performances, I do have a few criticisms of "Logan." While the action scenes are shot very well and incredibly visceral (and bloody,) they do start to feel repetitive by the end of the film, and each of them feels a bit like the last one rather than taking the opportunity to take the action in and of itself in a slightly different direction. Also, the climax and ending feels slightly rushed. While the film is somewhat long, it never feels tedious or too long.
At the end of the day, this feature is by far the best film in the X-Men/Wolverine franchise. Its darkness--and its uniquely down-to-earth sense of realism--will give viewers much to think about.