Logan (2017)

Rating: 8/10 (4 May 2020)

Directed by James Mangold. Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Richard E. Grant, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Eriq La Salle, Elise Neal, Quincy Fouse. (R)
Jackman's presumed swan song as Marvel mutant Wolverine takes place in a deteriorating near-future, the X-Men disbanded and mostly deceased, where the aging and slowly dying anti-hero has all but given up on life while caring for ailing Professor X (Stewart). Then a mysterious girl (Keen) enters his life, along with some dastardly pursuers led by shady scientist Grant and sinister merc Holbrook, and ol' Wolfie grudgingly rediscovers a purpose. The "Shane" echoes are laid on thick, the road movie clichÃ©s are plentiful, and the rote build-up to the climax spoils what should have been a superbly cathartic blow-out, yet there's no denying that after three attempts to give the character his own showcase, they finally got it right. Self-doubting and weary, Jackman plumbs even greater poignant depths to a character he's played numerous times before, while Stewart manages to evoke great melancholy without committing to resignation. Visceral, flesh-ripping violence may turn off the squeamish, especially when it's aimed at young Keen, but she gives as good as she gets, and it ought to satisfy all other parties to finally get to see the blood-soaked reality of Wolverine's berserker rage, cautiously neutered in earlier outings. Fans of the comic books and "X-Men" franchise are likely to appreciate the final image.
81/100