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“Logan” marks the conclusion of the Wolverine trilogy, a series that defies the usual decline seen in many film trilogies. While most trilogies tend to suffer from diminishing returns, with each installment weaker than the last, the Wolverine series bucks this trend. Each film improves upon its predecessor, culminating in “Logan,” which delivers a powerful and emotionally resonant finale.
In “Logan”, the once invincible Wolverine, Logan (Hugh Jackman), now aged and ailing, is living a reclusive life in a dystopian future where mutants are nearly extinct. He cares for the ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart) in a hidden outpost, struggling with his diminishing healing abilities and a world that has left them behind. Logan’s solitary existence is shattered when he encounters Laura (Dafne Keen), a young mutant who shares his extraordinary abilities. As they flee from a relentless organization seeking to exploit Laura, Logan is compelled to confront his past, rediscover his purpose, and protect the future of mutantkind.
What’s new this time around is the R-rating. Despite Logan wielding six razor-sharp claws, his fights were previously relatively bloodless. However, “Logan” fully embraces its R-rating, allowing this intense character to unleash his fury on his opponents. Within mere minutes, bloody limbs are flying across the screen. Newcomer Dafne Keen, who has similar powers, also makes a memorable impact with a scene where she takes out a group of mercenaries in a spectacular bloodbath.
Action scenes like these are obligatory for a superhero movie, and “Logan” contains plenty of them. But “Logan” is much more than that; it’s a character study of a man forced to confront his own mortality. Wolverine has always seemed immortal in the X-Men movies, making his character feel invincible. In “The Wolverine“, director James Mangold already touched upon this theme by stripping Wolverine of his healing powers. Now, given free rein to fully explore this aspect, Mangold perfects it in “Logan,” culminating in a definitive and powerful conclusion to the character’s journey.
Over the years, there has been much debate over whether superhero movies qualify as real cinema or mere theme park rides. While many fall into the latter category, films like “Logan” prove they can be both. “Logan” is the “Terminator 2” of the Wolverine franchise—not only because it’s the best in the series, but also in terms of story and themes. Both films are essentially chase movies where a muscular man with a metal skeleton must protect a child from a relentless force. “Logan” elevates the superhero genre, blending intense action with deep, resonant storytelling.
“Logan” is not just a good superhero movie; it’s a good movie in general. It manages to defy expectations and transcend the genre. The only criticism I have is the depiction of the dystopian future. Most of the movie takes place in a desert landscape, and to match the tone, it has a more desaturated look. This is a stark contrast to “The Wolverine“, which featured a warm and vibrant tone. I realize this is a deeply personal nitpick, but it’s the only aspect of the movie I’m not fond of.
