Logan

A good sequel is not merely "another movie". The time that’s passed since the first film (s), audience's reactions, the journey the characters went through previously, what was gained, what was lost are all factors to be considered. With “Logan”, there’s also the superhero genre (which "X-Men" and “Blade” are largely responsible for kicking off) as a whole to examine. What was it like before, where should it be now? “Logan” is a film that has been paying attention. It’s a wonderfully adult superhero story.

In 2029, Mutants are on the brink of extinction. The X-Men are gone, with only Logan “Wolverine” (Hugh Jackman), Caliban (from “X-Men: Apocalypse”, played here by Stephen Merchant) and Professor X (Patrick Stewart) remaining. Old, broke, hurt, desperate and largely without purpose, they agree to transport a young girl (Dafne Keen) across the country for a price.

It’s funny how things come full circle. “Blade” was R-Rated, so is this film. Wolverine started off on his own, not the least bit interested in saving the world, scraping together what he needed to survive. But “Logan” is not a re-hash, it’s the logical continuation. The story may, or may not be set in an alternate reality where something went horribly wrong; the continuity isn’t the important thing. This picture explores something we’ve never seen before. What happens to superheroes when they get old and washed-up? What does someone who’s fought for mutantkind do once the battle's been lost, and not in a glorious war? This is the darkest of the X-Men films because it's grounded. No gimmicky cameos or post-credit sequences. It’s a sombre reflection at people whose careers have passed, who have fallen from grace.

“Logan” is also funny and heartwarming. It’s about people with superpowers whose humanity shines through, particularly in simple, joyful moments, the kind that you’d share with your family while playing a board game or around the barbecue. It makes the action and the violence that much more impactful. We got a hint of how savage Wolverine can be with the “The Wolverine”, but that's nothing compared to what we get here.

Forget the superhero label. Just think of "Logan" as a movie. Dafne Keen has very few lines, but the way she will look around or sit comfortably next to someone proves that the young actress is very skilled. Seeing the film a second time, I also got a new sense of appreciation for the head villain, Donald Pierce (Boyd Holbrook) The special effects and makeup are completely convincing, the screenplay is rich. The conclusion is powerful and satisfying.

If this is, indeed the last time we’ll see Jackman as Logan, it’s quite the swan song. Emotional, well written, filled with solid action sequences and great performances, “Logan” is among the best superhero movies. (Theatrical version on the big screen, March 30, 2017)