‘Logan’ perfects horror, profanity and drama for the Superhero film genre
Fans who despise the Marvel Studios’ formula for a superhero film will love the final Hugh Jackman Wolverine outing as Logan perfects violence and profanity first finding a major audience in Deadpool.
Inspired by the Old Man Logan comic book story, Logan is set years in the future where the mutants are nearly extinct and Logan is driving a limo, saving cash for a yacht and tending to a frail, aged Xavier (Patrick Stewart). Their world is turn upside down as a young girl, a mutant called X-23, is introduced and calls the Wolverine one last time.
A secret experimental lab is churning out genetic creations, tapping into mutant skills, to create a new line of Weapon X soldiers and X-23 is the most successful yet, derived from Logan’s own DNA. A race to keep the young girl (Dafne Keen) safe stirs a new parental spirit in Wolverine as he faces the stark reality of his ailing body and failing powers.
Director James Mangold delivers an amazing journey, far surpassing the weak first go around, The Wolverine, including the violent and profane aspects of the modern comic book universe. Wrought with beheadings, Wolvie flinging attackers about and dropping curses in between the gritty, heartfelt storyline — Logan is disturbingly awesome.
This is no child’s film, just as many comic books are no longer for the young. Mangold uses the Jackman curtain call to feed the Deadpool fan base and create a new sub-genre of graphic and mature superhero projects.
My hopes is that the studios don’t fall into the trap of adding violence and profanity just to appease these masses and eliminate any family appeal for the next generation and families. Jackman and Stewart moving on, leaving their respective roles for a replacement, is a huge backdrop that is felt in the story.
Logan receives 4 out of 5 stars
