Finally, a GREAT Wolverine film

Rating: 9/10 (6 March 2017)

I was a fan of 2013s The Wolverine, cookie cutter ending aside, it was a well done film that, for me, eclipsed many of the other X-Men films. Sitting down to watch this, I though about the first trailer, how little it showed and how gritty it looked and then how disappointed I was with the 2nd trailer which made it look more X- Men like. I wondered if the hype was all it was ever going to be and we'd get more of the same that we've been given since 2000s original X-Men. Thankfully I was wrong. The first scene literally set the tone and it carried on from there to create a truly great film, not superhero film, FILM! Jackman is on top form here, reaching Prisoners level of acting for me. Giving one last go at a character he's played for 17 years. He approaches Logan exactly how it should have been done, as a tired old gunslinger with no need for a gun. Praying/waiting on his end but so stubborn and p1ssed off to actually seek his demise. Stewart, also doing his best Professor Xavier work as they actually give him character in this film rather than being in a coma (X1), imprisoned (X2), exploded (X3) and basically cameos in the rest of the films. Logan and Xavier are truly believable as a father and son duo, both old and tired but find comfort in caring for each other. Their relationship is one of the best things about this film! Good supporting turns by everyone else including Laura, the little girl afflicted by the same powers as Logan. James Mangold cited his influences on this film as Shane, Little Miss Sunshine and The Wrestler and all 3 shine through here but I can tell you there is little to no humour in this, it's as gritty and fierce as it should be and was able to be within it's R/15 rating. Believe me, this is near the knuckle sometimes and bordering on full blown 18 rating. Do not take your kids to see it, this is an adults film. I really enjoyed this and I'm sure it'll go on to be the most critically acclaimed X-Men film due to a stellar script, excellent direction and top notch acting.