"Language, Logan. And you're screaming at a machine."

Rating: 8/10 (4 December 2019)

"Logan" turns out to be quite the interesting and satisfying closer on the saga of the Wolverine character. Wolverine, a.k.a. Logan (Hugh Jackman, giving a powerful performance), is now a very weary old mutant in the future year of 2029. Mutants are now all but extinct, yet he soldiers on, basically so he can care for the ailing Professor Xavier (a wonderful Patrick Stewart), who's suffering from Alzheimer's. Into Logan's life comes a mute little girl (debuting Dafne Keen) who's on the run from some very bad guys, including a smiling henchman (Boyd Holbrook) and a maniacal mad scientist (Richard E. Grant). He has just days to transport her to safety (with Professor X in tow), to a supposed "Eden".
Although not necessarily a big fan of comic book adaptations and superhero movies, this viewer was drawn to "Logan" due to what amounts to a very mature - and sombre - nature. This is a film that definitely earns its R rating (so parents be warned), with plenty of F-bombs and lots of hard-edged (albeit digitally rendered) violence. At its core is the struggle of its haunted main character to deal with this bleak existence, and what he believes to be the ultimate solution. Jackman is utterly compelling as Logan, making the most of the material as well as embracing the physicality of his role. Stewart provides additional heart and resonance; he and Jackman give emotional weight to the proceedings to add to the expected visceral thrills. Young Keen does a good job as the childish mutant (revealing her abilities in an explosive manner), remaining mute until well into the story. Holbrook and Grant are superb as unsubtle villains whom the audience will enjoy booing. Eriq La Salle, Elise Neal, and Quincy Fouse are appealing as a rural family whose fate is sealed when they make the acquaintance of Logan and company.
James Mangold does a solid job with the direction, also authoring the story and co-writing the screenplay. One of his most interesting touches is to heavily reference the legendary Western "Shane".
Although a very long film at two hours and 18 minutes, Mangold wastes no time, making every second count and contrasting the colourful life of the X-Men in the comics with the cold, hard reality facing our characters in this tale.
Eight out of 10.