Directed by James Mangold, the Logan movie opened on March 3, 2017 all across the United States. Logan is the Wolverine movie that many fans have long awaited. It is repleted with a heavy dose of R-rated violence, profanities, and gut-wrenching revelations. And yet, Hugh Jackman’s final appearance as Wolverine is ineradicably raw and touching.
Based loosely on the Old Man Logan story line from the comics, the movie takes place in the year 2029. The X-Men have disbanded and the mutant population has shrunk significantly, with no new mutants having been born in 25 years. The ones that remain appear to be in hiding includes Logan (played by Hugh Jackman) and Professor X (played by Sir Patrick Stewart). Logan, along with fellow mutant Caliban care for the old and mentally deteriorating Xavier, who when we first meet him is heavily medicated and out of his mind. Logan is also no longer the superhero he used to be. Old and weary, he surrenders himself to alcohol and spends his days working as a chauffeur, trying to make enough to get the odd trio away from it all. All three lives in seclusion in attempt to keep a low profile. However, when a young girl, known as Laura, shows up, their attempt is upended. The movie’s real journey begins as Logan becomes her reluctant guardian against the dark forces that have brought mutant-kind to its knees.
The film presents Logan as fans have expected. Jackman gets to dig deeper into his role and Wolverine is at his peak in this movie. The return of Patrick Stewart to the role is also one of the hugely satisfying aspects of Logan. Similar to Jackman, he finally gets to bring a true depth to his character in a distinctly new way.
It’s ironic that Jackman’s tenth and final go as Wolverine has never been better or more emotionally alive. Despite being past his prime, Logan is still committed to caring for his mentor Charles Xavier. “It’s makes me sad that [Jackman] is no longer going to be Wolverine, but I’m very curious about how [Wolverine’s] story will end,” said freshman Kelly Sanchez. Indeed, Wolverine has saved the day enough times; it’s a fitting reward for him to finally end his role after he goes out to save the day for one last time.
