Without a doubt, one of (if not the) most talked about films currently in theaters is 2017’s Logan. Due to previous engagements on the convention circuit, Nerd Nation was initially unable to attend the early press screening, however, we did attend opening night.
The film, which stars Hugh Jackman and Sir Patrick Stewart, reprising two of their most iconic roles as Logan/Wolverine and Professor Charles Xavier, respectively, is the tenth in the X-Men film franchise, and third to solely focus on Wolverine. Being the first X-Men film to sport an R-rating (well, unless you count Deadpool, which is somwhat debatable), and rumored to be Jackman‘s final performance as Wolverine, how did this one measure up? Check out the full SPOILER-FREE review at the link below!
The year is 2029, and if you’ve watched the previews, you know that we’re looking at a dying Professor X and Old Man Logan, so there should be no surprises there. This movie isn’t so much about the X-Men or Wolverine. In fact, the movie centers mainly around an aging Logan and this new, mysterious young mutant, Laura/X-23 (Dafne Keen of The Refugees) who seems to have abilities similar to Logan.
There’s a painful past that both Logan and the professor allude to but never really explain during the movie, so, I’m guessing it will be covered in a future X-Men movie. If you’re a fan of the comic books, you should already know it, if not, you’ll just have to wait and see. Aiding Logan in caring for an aging, and mentally dangerous Professor X is Caliban, the albino mutant tracker and ex-Morlock with porphyria played by Stephen Merchant (Hello Ladies).
While on a limo driving gig, Logan is approached by a woman needing his help, but he denies who he is and refuses to help her, too bad she isn’t the only one who figures out who and where he is. Enter mechanically enhanced mega-jerk and leader of the Reavers Donald Pierce played by Boyd Holbrook (Boomtown). He’s the merc you love to hate. He wants the woman and he wants Logan to help him get her. (Did I mention this guy is a jerk? Good.)
The woman does manage to get Logan to help her, and her precious cargo, Laura, a mysterious little girl who doesn’t speak. There’s a promise of money, but Logan can’t leave the professor without making sure he’s taken care of, so he puts the plan on hold until he gets back from Mexico. Too bad the royal douche-knuckle gets to her first.
What follows is some serious ass-kicking and insane driving stunts. There are a lot of missing limbs and dead bodies, mostly of bad guys and some real tear jerker moments (Not too many, guys. I promise you this isn’t a chic flick dressed up as superhero movie.)
Like I said, the movie isn’t about the X-Men, Wolverine, or Professor X. It’s about Old Man Logan struggling to do right by a little girl who needs his help. Mind you, she’s a little ass kicker with a nasty temper (sound familiar?), but still a little girl.
There are a lot of beautifully done stunts in this movie, including some really odd slow-motion bits that Logan has to do and still manage to look like he’s straining every fiber of his being to do, both Jackman and Keen pull these off. I would’ve liked to have seen some minor flashbacks to the past that is alluded to, since I think it would tie this movie in to the rest rather neatly, but other than that, the movie was pretty badass.
The Bottom Line:
Overall, Logan is an absolute masterpiece of a film. It’s presented like a western (and indeed draws heavy influence from several famous ones that will become apparent to just about anyone upon watching it), which really adds so much to the story. Jackman and Stewart are masterful in their roles, as expected, and while it’s actually only loosely inspired by Mark Millar‘s beloved modern comic classic “Old Man Logan,” (which c’mon is probably a blessing, given that we don’t have to deal with evil Hulk or the inbred Hulk babies – just sayin’) it’s still an exceptionally well-made film that brings a long, 17-year-long chapter to a close in a wonderful, beautiful, and touching way without directly impacting any of the other X-titles in the franchise… given its (possible alternate) future setting and how much the X-Men franchise jumps around different continuties anyway. Sure there are a few issues, mostly with the pacing, but they’re not even really worth mentioning. If you are or ever have been an X-Men/Wolverine fan, or if you just love a good story of a hero’s end, do yourself a favor and go see this one. It’s very, very well worth it. – 9.0/10
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-Hannah Collins
Staff Writer: Nerd Nation Magazine
@NerdNationPress
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