The X-Men universe is a strange one, and rather complex. With multiple timelines and certain films rewriting others, it’s hard to keep track of everything. Unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the X-Men franchise is a bit harder to follow. That’s the reason why Logan deserves a nod for breaking through the barrier of the comic book genre. Unlike both Marvel and X-Men, Logan works incredibly well as a standalone film; no prior knowledge required. There’s definitely some pretty big events that will impact the overall series, but Logan doesn’t expect you to know that. Rather, the film builds off its own world, rather than drawing too much from previous films in the series. In fact, Logan is the least comic book looking comic book movie to ever be released. It works as a standalone just fine, but does it live up to the enormous hype?
Logan follows the story of our titular character, also known as the X-Men hero, Wolverine. Several years have past, and the X-Men have dissolved. Logan (Hugh Jackman) spends his time driving a limo, and caring for a mentally degenerating Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart). One day, a desperate woman approaches Logan requesting his protection and transportation. This spirals into a story of redemption, family, and what it truly means to live. With a lengthy run time of two hours and twenty one minutes, Logan allows itself ample time to be a character film, rather than an action film.
This key tone shift is what separates Logan from the rest of the herd. It’s a similar feeling that I got from Sin City, which felt more like a crime drama than a graphic novel adaptation. While both characters (and actors) have been seen many times throughout the franchise, the film paints Logan and Charles in a very different life. The characters are worn and torn, and have seen better days. In a way, Logan forces us to reintroduce ourselves to these characters from the ground up. The once all-powerful Charles Xavier has been reduced to a frail and sick old man, and Logan has become an alcoholic and depressed. It’s a somber film that doesn’t glorify explosions and action; rather dwelling on important themes and character building.
Thankfully, these characters are performed wonderfully by the entire cast. There wasn’t a single actor or actress who fumbled their role. Because of the solid performances, it’s easy to be sympathetic and relate to the characters. This proves to add a solid emotional punch to the film, especially in the third act. Since Logan marks the final X-Men film for both Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart, I know it was going to be an emotional goodbye. I simply wasn’t expecting the impact it would have. Other stand out performances come from Stephen Merchant as Caliban, and Dafne Keen as Laura. Caliban is also one of the last remaining mutants, and shacks up with both Logan and Charles. His characters is very interesting, and I craved to learn more about his backstory. Laura is the young girl that gets entrusted to Logan, and their scenes are excellent. There’s a great chemistry between the entire cast that lends to some truly touching and impacting moments.
I don’t to dive too much into the actual narrative, as Logan‘s progression directly impacts its effectiveness. I have only one noteworthy complaint about the execution, but it’s a minor one. The antagonist of the film, Pierce (Boyd Holbrook) is a well rounded villain if a bit underused. Unfortunately, I had to refer to him as “metal arm guy” for most of the film, as he’s the only character that never gets a vocal introduction. Instead, Pierce flashes a business card with his name on it for a few seconds, and isn’t addressed by name until the third act, but only once. He’s a decent character, no doubt, but it was a bit odd that he lacked a proper introduction.
Beyond that, Logan proves to tell an interesting and gripping story, accented with excellent action scenes. The film is bloody, and often a bit grotesque. Wolverine has been considerably toned down in past film appearances, but Logan sticks true to Wolverine’s roots. With each slash and stab, blood flies. There’s several decapitations and dismemberment, with incredibly graphic kills. The violence doesn’t overshadow the rest of the film, instead punctuating the action scenes with meaning. The realism of the violence goes a long way, actually humanizing Logan and showing his own wounds. This isn’t over-the-top Deadpool violence, nor is it celebratory. The R rating is well earned, and I never felt like it was excessive.
As an entry into the X-Men franchise, Logan sets a new bar for the entire series. However, it also contains events that have a large impact on films to come. As a standalone film, Logan is a honest and riveting character experience. Whether you’re new to the series or a seasoned veteran, Logan makes a big mark on the entire comic book film genre. With excellent performances and a meaningful narrative, Logan manages to defy expectations. It’s a standout among its peers and a new high for thoughtful takes on existing characters. I highly recommend you give Logan a viewing.
Note: I felt it necessary to comment on the rating of the film. As with Deadpool, it needs to be said that Logan is not your average comic film. However, the character of Wolverine does appeal to children due to his long history in the series. While it’s up to parents and guardians to have the final say, I urge you to familiarize yourself with the film’s content before bringing anyone under the suggested age. Logan contains graphic violence and brutal depictions of death. Violence is carried out on women, children, and the elderly. There’s also nudity, and a hefty amount of swearing. While Logan ultimately carries a good moral, the path there is very violent and strictly adult.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Movie Ratings Guide
1 Star = Unwatchable
2 Stars = Cannot Recommend
3 Stars = Would Watch Again
4 Stars = A Solid Movie
5 Stars = Must Own (DVD/Stream Download)
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