Putting the X in X-Men

Rating: 5/10 (4 March 2017)

In what may be Hugh Jackman's final donning of the iconic adamantium claws, James Mangold's Logan marks the ultimate chapter in the stand-alone wolverine trilogy. Having played Wolverine for an astounding 17 years, the character fits Hugh Jackman like a knuckle-less glove. However, that is as good as it is bad – the character hasn't progressed, he's just older. Patrick Stewart, on the other hand, manages to bring a welcome freshness to the dementing Charles Xavier. His simply stellar performance portrays the much-loved character in a vastly different light, whilst maintaining him in essence. Finally, Dafne Keen's performance can only be described as intriguing. It's difficult to fall in love with her character, or even determine her acting talent, as the 11-year-old killing machine spends the greater part of the film grunting, groaning and goring baddies. Logan has been praised extensively for its unique premise: in a future where few mutants remain (X-Men: Days of Future Past), a less immortal Logan (The Wolverine) reluctantly protects a young female mutant (X-Men) from a government agency bent on creating their own killer mutants (X-Men 2, X-Men Origins: Wolverine). However, Logan is much more bloodthirsty and violent than any of its predecessors; although every cut and slash is done purposefully, and for a reason: to mutilate, maim, and murder. If you're wanting a superhero film, then Logan is not that film. It's merely a film that happens to have one person with insane mental abilities, and two others with retractable claws, metal skeletons, and self-regenerating bodies. That, and the same number of super-powered individuals as Captain America: Civil War. But, to be fair, half of the mutant children seem to forget they have these powers anyway. On that note, it seems unfortunate that the vast majority of the film's mutants won't be able to watch the film due to age restrictions. Likewise, Logan is not an action film. Actually, no, it kind of is. It has three major action sequences – including the climax – and some smaller fight scenes throughout. But aside from those negligible details it is essentially a drama. A very bloody drama. While it may be some time until we get Deadpool vs. Wolverine (if ever), Logan has – for now – topped the class with his rendition of 'Another One Bites the Dust'. If indeed this is to be Logan's last outing, then what better way to end than in a blaze of gory?