Film Review: Logan

Logan is Wolverine's last ride and will be released worldwide on March 3rd. ComiConverse film critic Jordan Samuel gives his review.

In the near future, a weary Logan (Hugh Jackman) cares for an ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart) at a remote outpost on the Mexican border. His attempt to hide from the outside world gets upended when X introduces him to a young mutant named Laura (Dafne Keen). Logan must now protect the girl and battle the dark forces that want to capture her. - IMBD

Credit: 20th Century Fox

I grew up with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, a character who not only defined the actor's career but also transcended the comic book genre to become a bona fide movie icon. Everyone who saw the first trailer for Logan knew this film would be immense. I can confirm that Academy Awards could come knocking with the film. A celebration of the world’s favorite badass in his later stages of life, James Mangold create the perfect finale to over fifteen years of performances. Directed and co-written by Mangold, Logan takes place in 2029. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Professor X (Patrick Stewart) are on the run hiding their dark pasts. Mutants have been out of the public eye for years but when young mutant Laura (Dafne Keen) arrives in their lives, adventure returns too.

The film plays out like a large scale road movie. The trio's the trip sees them outrunning bad guys and having a bloody adventure. The dynamic between the leads is impressive, something that has been missing from the X-Men franchise for some time. The film even feels at points like a dark gritty sit-com; one you cannot help but enjoy. This movie is a well-oiled machine and the writing team deserves credit for their impressive dialogue sequences.

I haven't felt this type of emotion in a comic book movie for a decade; a feather in Mangold's cap. This world's depressing backdrop, gives the Mutant family a realistic feel and darkly mirrors the America of the present. Laura, Logan and Professor X are all trying to hold onto hope in the face of bleak circumstance.

Credit: 20th Century Fox

The film's length is an issue with certain scenes going on for way to long; two hours and 15-minutes in all, the run-time might negatively impact re-watches. The film's slower pace is something about that makes Logan the most carefully constructed X-Men film allowing it to tackle weighty themes. The film's action is brutal and might offend some viewers. The gore is full center, something that should please fans of the comics.

The fights also have deep impacts in the story. Nothing in the film is done for no reason. Logan is a super-powered Mad Max: Fury Road,  feeling fresh and unique in a genre increasingly overrun with CGI. There are no crazy monsters in Logan, just a gritty dark claw fights, which give the film its visceral impact.

Credit: 20th Century Fox

What separates Logan most from the previous X-Men films is its standalone premise. Mangold doesn't have to explain or justify the events of previous X-Men films. Nor does he have to create a world-ending threat for the hero to stop -- the stakes are as intimate as the characterization.  Unrelated characters are not shoehorned in; it's just a movie about Logan and his adventures.

Mangold cares about making a great film with the Logan character at the center. Many comic book movies, even those that focus on character, rather than action or plot driven action, (Captain America: Civil War for example) usually still feature an ensemble. Logan is different because it is not building a universe; it is a character in his own short-story. Logan is a movie we will be talking about for years to come; the Wolverine film that was Oscar worthy. This is the movie that finally, after sixteen years, got it all right.

Logan opens worldwide March 3rd.

Jordan Samuel is a Film Critic for ComiConverse. Follow him on Twitter: @JordanESamuel