The X-men franchise has been running strong since its first film helped resurrected the superhero genre back in 2000. When it was first announced that Hugh Jackman, a relative unknown, standing in well higher then then historic Wolverine at 6’2” audiences were rather annoyed. Fast forward 17 years, he is probably the most iconic superhero on film. When it was announced that Logan would be his final appearance, audiences’ had a new reason to be annoyed. We cannot see anyone play the face of the X-Men other than Hugh Jackman. However after 17 years, and 9 appearances, I think he has earned his retirement. Luckily, he has given us the Wolverine film we deserve to say goodbye too.
Logan once again stars Hugh Jackman as The Wolverine, and reunites him with Patrick Stewart as Professor X. It also stars Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, and Stephen Merchant. James Mangold once again takes up the director’s seat, pulling together a script that he wrote along with Scott Frank.
The story takes place in the year 2029. Years after nearly all mutants have been wiped out. All that we know is that Logan spends his time as a limo driver, while caring for an ailing Charles Xavier on the border of Texas and Mexico. When a woman brings a small girl to him looking for the mutant once called Wolverine, he tries to go on the run, only to find out that he is more connected to this child then he ever thought. Logan whose powers are beginning to fade must make sure this girl is safe from the forces that are hunting.
The film is incredible. This is not only the Wolverine film we have always wanted, but it is the Wolverine film we deserve. If this truly is the final time we ever get Jackman as The Wolverine, then Logan is also the perfect sendoff. It is gritty, and violent, and vicious. In the past the Wolverine solo films had always had their issues, whether it be sowing Deadpool’s mouth shut, or getting entirely too cartoony at the end. This go around the film stays true to its roots. It is grounded in reality as much as it can be, and never strays from that.
The cast is incredible. Holbrook might be my favorite X-Men villain next to Magneto. He is so slimy and perfect for the film and story they are building. He brings a perfect amount of shadiness, and evil to a great character that I don’t even know if he is a comic book character. But he is perfect rival to be hunting down the last of the mutants against Wolverine. Patrick Stewart is amazing as always. Where they take the character of Charles Xavier in this film is unbelievable. Where Deadpool began the talk of more comic book films becoming more of a contender for the Academy Awards, Patrick Stewart is tipping that scale even more.
Dafne Keen is a relative newcomer, I don’t really know if she has been in anything else I haven’t seen her if she has. But man is she incredible in this role. The character is so deep and she is so good in the role, especially for having very few lines. But her delivery is so perfect. Where I say that Patrick Stewart deserves a little bit of Oscar talk all though it is incredibly early, I believe she does too. This girl is going to be a star, and I feel that we could take this character with Keen in the role and really run with it. She is the perfect way to keep the “Wolverine” character going.
Make no mistake about it; Wolverine is an important character to the X-Men Role. If X-23 is going to continue the “Wolverine” role in future X Films, that would be the way to go. Recasting the role of Wolverine with someone other than Hugh Jackman is definitely a no go. Jackman has given us the definitive Wolverine, and this is the perfect sendoff if it truly is his last run. He is so incredible in the role, that I even believe he could be a contender for an award. That’s right, 3 actors and actress this early on in the year that I think deserve a look from the Academy. That’s how good this film is.
The film takes a lot of risks. Being Rated R, based on a character that is very crucial to the X-Men franchise could alienate a lot of the audience. However, it is done so well that I think it truly warranted the R Rating. It is not gore just for gore sake. It is not expendables. It is not an F-bomb because “oh well we got an r rating so let’s say it over and over”. No every bloody attack, ever F-Bomb is felt and needed for the narrative. It adds to the characters and story.
The only true negative I will give this film is there a small narrative choice made with X23 as the third act begins that I wasn’t too in and for a moment took me out of the film, but it was able to pull me back in fairly easy. Also I cannot get into it too much due to it almost being a spoiler territory, but there are two villains. One that over see’s Holbrook’s character portrayed by Richard E. Grant. And while Holbrook’s character is a little underutilized or developed, his portrayal saves the character, and then Richard E. Grant’s character does not really give us anything. But other than that the film truly has it all. It has laughs, emotions, excitement, and intense gritty action. There are even moments that bring tears to your eyes.
Over all Logan is an incredible film. With an amazing cast and an incredible story, Logan gives us an end to a near two decade saga that we have grown with and enjoyed. The story of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine will forever be remembered. And this will easily be remembered not only as one of the greatest X-Men films, but as one of the greatest superhero films. I am giving it a score of 4.0
In an era where we have begun to expect more from our comic book films, Logan truly delivers. A deep story, with intense violent action. It is new ground that Fox is breaking with the rated R super hero genre. With Deadpool and now Logan, they are ushering in a new wave of superheroes that we are able to enjoy on more than a “so bad it’s good” level like we have dealt with before. So I am giving LOGAN a score of 4.0, with a bonus of a full .5 for Keen’s performance as X23, the bloody use of Wolverine we have always wanted, and best sendoff we could ask for for Hugh Jackman. That gives us a Jeebus score of 4.5. But what about you Jackass Nation. Are you excited for Hugh Jackman’s alleged final go as The Wolverine in Logan? What is you favorite memory of the character? Sound off in the comments below! And remember, It Is What It Is!
The Jeebus Score explained
The Jeebus score is out of a possible 5 points with a .5 bonus. Films are giving a max of 1 point each for Entertainment Value, Story/Writing, Performance, Direction, and Production. There is also a possible bonus up to .5. Any film between 2.5 and 4 is considered a good film. 4-5 is a great film. Anything over 5 is an incredibly amazing film. To get a perfect score of 5.5 a film will pretty much have to be The Empire Strikes Back or The Godfather.
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