LOGAN – A Review by John Strange
Since the first feature film in 2000, the X-Men and their world has been one of pain for mutants world-wide. Even though we have seen a lot about how the X-Men came to be a team, we have always known that their opposition was going to eventually win. Normal's outnumbered the mutants by a huge margin.
Over the next few years, Professor X's dream of the new stage in evolution slowly died as mutant births declined until by 2029, the only three mutants we know about are Professor X (Patrick Stewart), Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), and Caliban (Stephen Merchant). They are living just over the border in Mexico to keep the Professor away from the authorities who feared his mental infirmities.
The trio are not as mighty as they once were. They are older and weaker. Each has seen their powers wane. For Professor X, this means that anyone around him can be injured when his mind "quakes". Logan no longer heals as quickly. His claws work but the pain they cause him as they extend makes it hard to use them. Caliban (last seen in X-Men: Apocalypse) can sense and track other mutants. His weakness is the sun. Exposure for even a moment is extremely painful. It is a measure of his friendship with the other two that he hides with the others in the Mexican desert.
Logan is making money for the trio as a limo driver over the border in the U.S. He is approached by a woman (Elizabeth Rodriguez) who recognizes him and begs him to help her daughter. He refuses to help her, typical Logan. Also, typical of Logan, when the excrement hits the rotary oscillator (and doesn't it always?), Logan slowly comes around.
What are the woman and child running from? That takes us a while to find out. Why should Logan help the young girl? We figure that out the second young Laura Kinney (newcomer Dafne Keen) gets angry. Watching the little hellion unleash her adamantium claws is wild!
This is the story of the older generation of mutants helping a new, younger generation of mutants survive. How these mutations arose and why is at the heart of this film. Surrounding this enigma is a gaggle of some really relentless bad guys, complete with robotic appendages and BIG guns!
The action in this film is well scripted but violent. Unlike the previous films, this one has a darker feel, almost a feeling of hopelessness which runs rampant throughout the majority of the story. I never expected to see a story quite like this in the X-Men saga. I have mixed feelings about it. I loved the story and the action but the ending was totally bitter-sweet.
If you are a fan of this series, this is a "must-see" film. If you like good action films then this one is for you.
One note: Nothing happens during the credits. You don't have to sit through them unless you are like me and like checking out who was involved behind the scenes.
Directed by: James Mangold
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, introducing Dafne Keen
MPAA Rating: R (for strong brutal violence and language throughout, and for brief nudity)
Selig Rating: A
Runtime: 128 Min.
Movie Site: http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/logan
The Selig Rating Scale:
A – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
B – Good movie
C – OK movie
D – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
F – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.
