Review: Logan

Logan is not your normal X-Men Movie, and that's a good thing!
Faced with the near-extinction of the X-Men mutants, the newest addition to the solo Wolverine saga and the X-Men series puts us in the middle of a mutant apocalypse. But is this apocalyptic world enough to make us forget about the flop that was X-Men: Apocalypse?

Although the third Hugh Jackman solo Wolverine movie, Logan is a departure from the two films that came before it. Set in the alternate timeline created in X-Men: Days of Future Past, Logan fast-forwards to the year 2029, where almost all mutants have gone extinct and no new mutants have been born in years. Wolverine has retreated into obscurity where he now works as a limousine driver. Hiding on the Mexican border in an abandoned mine, Wolverine keeps Professor Charles Xavier in a fallen water tower for his own safety. Now a senile man who struggles from seizures that can paralyze and potentially kill entire towns, Professor X is listed as a weapon of mass destruction and is watched over by Wolverine and another of the few remaining mutants, Caliban. While working to earn enough money to buy medication that keeps the professor under control, Wolverine is approached by a mysterious woman and a young girl who are being chased by government agents. The young girl, known as X-23, is a female Wolverine clone, and this encounter forces the Wolverine and Professor X to flee, taking the young X-23 along for the ride. On the run, Wolverine must grapple with Professor X’s dangerous condition and constant attack from the government agents, all the while being reluctantly pulled into the middle of the mutant’s last chance for survival.

Despite its departure from traditional comic book films, Logan is still at its heart what we have come to expect from the genre. There is still the central “main” villains, there are still superpowers, and there are still comic book tropes that we have come to expect. Logan departs from the genre, however, being the first Marvel movie in recent history with an “R” rating since Deadpool blazed the path last year. And trust me, they really want you to know that this is an R-rated movie. The opening scene had me rolling my eyes with the first line being “oh fuck” and then proceeding into a scene where Wolverine brutally defends himself against a group of carjackers. The opening scene set the expectations for the rest of the movie to be an over-the-top, annoyingly “edgy” film only for the sake of earning an R-rating.

My expectations after the first scene were happily turned on their head. Logan was a powerful, entertaining movie that did enough different and is bound to be a hit even to mainstream audiences. Other than the first scene, the movie utilized its R-rating well. Although I personally feel like some of the gore of the film could have been cut (not because it was exceptionally disturbing, but because some of it just wasn’t as polished as I wanted), a majority of the rating comes from circumstances that enhanced the movie. Logan features some great action that kept it fresh and exciting. But where it really shined was in the desperation and the on-the-run feeling that it evoked. The movie made it clear that no one was safe and that it truly set the stakes high. Despite its length, the action and the suspense kept the movie feeling short and never gave us a dull moment.

In this same vein, Logan was an amazing counterpoint to the Marvel and X-Men franchises. Despite still relying on some classic comic book tropes that I feel the movie would have been even better without, the overall feeling is drastically different. Even in their most desperate moments, Marvel and X-Men films still always have a hopeful, optimistic perspective. You always know that somehow things are going to work out. Logan turns all of that on its head. And it is all the more amazing for it. It sets us toward the end of the mutant extinction where every remaining mutant is stuck in a battle for their lives. It is desperate, dark, and almost fearless. And most surprisingly, the movie has emotionally poignant moments. It endears you to every character. Additionally, Logan is not a movie about heroes. It shows that our protagonists aren’t perfect and aren’t infallible.

Logan is one of the best showings the comic book movie genre has to offer. Deadpool proved comic book movies could be over-the-top, absurd, and could break out of the mold of the formula that made the movies before it so successful. And what Deadpool did to the industry, Logan has also done. Logan is proof again that comic book movies can be different. They can be dark and desperate, and they don’t have to focus on heroes. For these reasons, I recommend Logan to everyone – even people who didn’t love the previous X-Men or Marvel movies. Logan deserves all the praise it is soon to get.

4.8 out of 5

What would I have changed? (Spoilers)
Click here to read what I would Change
_________________________________________
Johnny Johnny (Contributor) was born and raised in San Diego. He's been a fan of films the majority of his life. He enjoys the feeling it invokes and the power it has to take you to another place. 

Comments

Elizabeth Parker said…
4.8/5 is a very specific review :). I'm planning on seeing this one, it looks great.
Tadd Melson said…
Can't wait to see!!!!
Konnie Semonski said…
Thank you Johnny. Will be seeing this one this week. The trailers look wonderful and who doesn't love the Wolverine!
donrull said…
I can't wait to see this!
Paul Michael Martinez said…
It's an awesome movie not typical x-men movie but has the action, drama, feelings, and strength of consideration of award winning film.
Christy Reed said…
Can't wait to see Logan!!!!!
Tami Meilleur said…
I liked it but it was really gritty and gory! Whew! A little long also!
Patty_Bieber said…
I loved it! I also teared up😢
Billy Wayne said…
The second time I watched Logan it was even more emotional. Great movie!!
Luis Guillermo Cruz said…
I still havent seen it
Latochia Bell said…
I am hoping to watch this soon! Logan has always been my fav! I am glad to hear that it was a good (and somewhat different type of) movie.
RTH said…
I can hardly wait to have enough time to watch this.
Juicy said…
Really want to are this with my son!
David Keel said…
I was surprised by how character driven Logan was. For a Superhero movie, it's very dramatic and insightful.
Sparkle Hopson said…
simply amazing
Kamela Kern said…
I can't wait to see this one!!!
Sunshine said…
Great movie! I cried! Yes, it was a departure from the usual Marvel/X-Men format (which I also love), but it was done well.
canadianflag2 said…
This was surprisingly better than expected. The movie was emotional and tugged at a few heart strings.
grssd said…
RE: What would I have changed? (Spoilers)....In the comic book world of multiple timelines and parallel universes, sometimes it is just better (certainly easier) to just accept a film on its own terms.
MickSan said…
I agree with GRSSD, I can accept this film on it's own terms. I enjoyed it even at the times when I had tears in my eyes. Only two parts were traumatic to me (but that's because of the way I feel for the characters) but I won't add any spoilers here. It's just a really great movie.
MickSan said…
I agree completely....just accept it on it's own terms. Well said!
Sherry Russell said…
Lots of action and fight scenes.
Bria Coleman said…
Watched this in a screening in Chicago. Was very good, filled with loss of action, but definitely not like the previous x-men movies
Gary E. Dufour said…
Cant wait to see it
Simone Coombs said…
Loved every second of the movie! Seen it 4 times!
Shondra Lawrence said…
I didn't like how they made Logan into a drunk uber driver.
Michelle said…
I lôved the action and rugged wolverine who showed vulnerability
christopher thao said…
it was awesome
angela b. said…
Extremely intense, very bloody, but an accepting ending to wolverine saga!
bill norris said…
Loved this film!! The next one should be about X-23. The whole movie was awesome, Im gonna see it again.
Maggie Perez said…
Another awesome Wolverine movie in the books
Eric Bell said…
Amazing movie! LOVED this film!
Rina said…
I definitely enjoyed "Logan" a lot. Dark and gritty. Felt more "real" than any previous X-Men/Wolverine outings.
Charisse Jacobs said…
I agree with your thoughts especially the spoilers. I think they did a good job. I felt like this was the end of an era. Hugh Jackman has come full circle with the Wolverine character. This movie shows why we will miss him.
carawling said…
Hugh Jackman's interviews about playing Wolverine have been great, shows what a classy humble genuine person he is. I don't think anyone else could have done all the Wolverine movies. He has completely given himself to this role. I look forward to watching Logan soon.
Johnathan Kinney said…
Can't wait to see this movie
Alvin said…
Loved it.
Guilliean Pacheco said…
Every review of Logan has been so positive. I'm afraid to see it because 1) it will meet my expectations, and 2) it will be a tangible reminder that Hugh won't be playing Logan anymore. :(
Mary Maday said…
Loved the infallibility but endurance of both Logan and X23...I will be seeing this movie again.
Pedro Rafael Cruz said…
Logan was the schizzle my nizzle!
Brian Burridge said…
Agreed. Loved that Logan was darker, grittier, challenged some of the standard super-hero patterns, and yet still felt like a "super-hero" movie.
James Estebanez said…
Such a good movie! I gotta see it again.
pat said…
Awesome movie.
charmer1 said…
A good down to earth X-MEN story of the Wolverine if that's possible. Very action pack.
Abdul Haseeb Alvi said…
It was a great ending to a rough start of a series. I feel like it finally found its roots, unfortunately, it was at the end of Hugh Jackman's role as Wolverine.
0Tuar0 said…
really enjoyed the last Logan movie.
Kelvin Truesdale said…
Good movie
Terri Farris said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ryan Watkins said…
I absolutely loved this movie, and it is the perfect send off for Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.
Jamie Barton-Capdevila said…
I can't believe the ending. I sat in the theater about 10 minutes after the movie was over trying to deal with the shock and pulling myself together. The movie was exciting, had fantastic action and was really powerful. An incredible ride.
Previous Post Next Post

Contact Form