Director: James Mangold
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Dafne Keen and Patrick Stewart
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
When it comes to superheroes that have been portrayed on the big-screen, it’s worth talking about the Wolverine. Introduced in the 1970’s, the iconic superhero has played a pivotal role in movies. With his larger-than-life personality, sharp sense of humour and short temper, the character has become a powerful part of popular culture. An excellent member of the X-Men, he is a hero that has thrived in entertainment. The Wolverine is an icon depicted many times on the big-screen. Each and every adaptation has celebrated a hero with sharp claws by portraying him as a human being with flaws.
I admire all the Wolverine’s film adaptations, but “Logan” definitely stands out the most. James Mangold’s blockbuster did an excellent job of celebrating legacy of a legendary hero which has sharp claws. Boasting stunning production design, sharp storytelling and strong acting, it is one of the greatest comic-book movies ever made. Ultimately, what resonates most deeply is its message about aging. It delivers a powerful message about aging which has the potential to resonate with everyone.
Set in a dystopian world, “Logan” follows the final adventure of a sharp-clawed superhero confronting the consequences of aging. Hugh Jackman plays Logan, a world-weary mutant that has lost his abilities to fight. Wolverine is driven to escape his past enjoying a peaceful retirement. However, Logan’s plans are ruined when he becomes the target of a dangerous gang. Seeking redemption, Logan questions if he can any longer be a hero saving the world from destruction.
Director James Mangold is a newcomer to the comic-book genre. Mangold is well known for his Western movies. “Logan” marked Mangold’s first foray into the comic-book world of Wolverine, but he pulled it off successfully. Using stunning cinematography, Mangold captures a sharp clawed superhero on his final journey. Evoking Sergio Leone’s “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, Mangold uses landscapes in the Wild West to celebrate a hero. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes. Mangold beautifully uses empty landscapes across the Wild West to capture the isolation Wolverine experiences as a lonely mutant without family. Through stunning visuals, Mangold captures an aging superhero adopting a negative point of view.
Another admirable aspect of “Logan” which merits appreciation its the action. Mangold expertly stages brutal action sequences that capture Logan’s emotional vulnerability as an aging hero. Unlike previous films in the X-Men franchise, “Logan” benefits tremendously from its hard R rating. This gives Mangold a chance to create bloody action sequences capturing grim nature of the Wolverine. Mangold deftly uses cross cutting to construct brutal action sequences that showcase Wolverine’s aging. For instance, cross cutting elevates the desert fight scene. Whether it’s the blood splattering or bodies crunching, the action sequences capture the nature of Wolverine. Through breathtaking action, Mangold celebrates legacy of an iconic superhero seeking redemption.
Amidst thrilling action entertainment, “Logan” finds time for strong character development. The movie is extremely well-written, capturing the consequences enduring by a hero that’s aging. Mangold’s screenwriting strength is capturing the impact of violence on Logan by silence. Throughout the film, there are silent scene where Logan bonds with a child that has similar powers. Through subtle sequences of silence, Mangold captures the emotional vulnerability of Wolverine seldom seen in previous X-Men movies. This time, he is a character with real empathy which viewers can relate to. Through a fantastic screenplay, Mangold celebrates one of the greatest comic-book heroes in the world today.
One admires astonishing performances.
Hugh Jackman delivers one of his best career performances as Logan. Jackman achieved appreciation by playing the iconic superhero with painful claws in “X-Men”. With “Logan”, however, he brings out an emotional side to the iconic hero. Jackman captures turmoil of an aging man that’s no longer the hero he once used to be. With riveting expressions, he captures the anger, desperation and fury of a superhero enduring consequences of aging. It’s a phenomenal performance that serves as a fantastic farewell towards the world-famous character.
Daphne Keen is dazzling in the role of a young girl gifted with dangerous superpowers which deserve to be seen. In her first ever leading role, Keen proves that she’s a strong actress with a bright future. Keen excels at conveying powerful emotion of a child with superpowers through silence. Whether she’s silently glaring at Wolverine or refusing to talk about her past, Keen uses strong expressions to capture the personality of a super-powered child. It’s a powerful performance proving that Keen is a promising actress with a prosperous future ahead of her in the industry.
The last, most notable standout in the cast is Patrick Stewart. As Charles Xavier, he brings heartfelt emotion to an aging professor whose health is on the decline.
The final aspect of “Logan” that merits appreciation is its strong message. Unlike previous X-Men movies, it tackles universal themes that everyone will relate with. It discusses timely themes including aging, depression and mental health which will impact everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the X-Men franchise to appreciate the movie. It delivers a powerful message regarding aging which everyone will consider appealing. Therefore, “Logan” is one of those rare comic-book movies that everyone will adore.
Fans of Wolverine will definitely enjoy “Logan” and so will movie-goers seeking heartbreaking entertainment
Nearly 50 years after the introduction of the Wolverine changed the way superheroes were seen, it’s a powerful tribute towards an awe-inspiring character with sharp claws that has been celebrated among comic book fans whose timeless stories which haven’t lost their abilities to captivate readers over many years definitely deserve to be told on the big-screen.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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