One Last Ride, First Bloody Ride

Saw Logan last week on Wednesday but too busy to write a post. This is one of my most anticipated superhero films of the year because it is wildly different from the MCU or DCEU offerings. This is an R-rated, violent and mature superhero film with Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart on their last film in the X-Men films. The story is set in 2029 when most of the mutants are gone. Logan and Charles Xavier are practically the only mutants left from the X-Men squad. Logan is noticeably older and less powerful, while Professor X is basically an old man in a nursing home. Their lives changed after the arrival of a young mutant named Laura and she is so awesome; and also chased by mysterious enhanced mercenaries.

By the first time Logan fights a group of gangbangers, we can know that this film is going to be different and in a good way. It's way more violent and laced with profanity every one minute. It's just satisfying to see Wolverine kill people that left blood on his adamantium claws. Or how it is just as bloody for Wolverine or X-23 when they pull out their claws. Hugh Jackman delivered his best as Wolverine and I thought this was the most fitting film for to do as Wolvie at his age. I thought even in X-Men: DOFP he's quite pushing it to be the young Wolverine in 1970s. Patrick Stewart is also amazing in this film, while we didn't see him in action much but his role is so touching and important. If there is a special Oscar for blockbusters, then both Jackman and Stewart deserves a nom, even in the regular Oscars, I'd say Stewart could be at least considered for Best Supporting Actor just like John Goodman was last year for 10 Cloverfield Lane. And also, my god, Dafne Keen as Laura/X-23. That girl can slaayyyy (I regret writing this sentence).

True kudos should go to James Mangold, already an accomplished director with Walk the Line and Girl, Interrupted, he finally made his mark with his second outing for the adamantium-filled mutant. His first Wolverine film was also exceptional but it was let down by the ridiculous, superhero-cliche third act. I liked that film for having an important human drama but then again come DOFP, that timeline was erased. I like the nuances in this film and how the film took its time with the characters, I thought it was great. The thing I didn't like the most is how they inserted a super lazy villain that took those nuances away (especially that one important scene with Patrick Stewart and the bad guy just came). And I thought the film forced its ending. If they need that ending, they could do it less forced than that. Also, the film opened up possibilities for a prequel to this film that's going to sound more interesting than all the planned X-Men films (excl. Deadpool 2) and of course sounds way better than X-Men: Apocalypse. But why aren't they chasing this storyline?

The film is often dubbed as The Dark Knight of the X-Men franchise. I will manage your expectation by saying it's nowhere near that but at least it's similar to Batman Begins: dark, gritty, satisfying but laced with plot holes. Nevertheless, it's a great sendoff for Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart, as well as a great show of talent by Dafne Keen. I hope they never cast another Wolverine or another Professor X. Logan: rated 3.5/4