By: Ashton Newton
Entertainment Editor

The popularity of superhero movies recently in Hollywood can be traced back to the 2000 release of “X-Men.” Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier both helped to create a beloved universe that is still around even 17 years later. Both have said that “Logan” is their last appearance in the universe, and a fitting end it is.

From the very beginning, “Logan” is a much different superhero movie than anything done before it. It’s R rating gives it room to be dark, gritty and full of violence. The hacking and slashing that Wolverine had done in films prior is nothing compared to the full-blown decapitation and dismemberment of “Logan.”

The film takes place in 2029, in a very different and almost dystopian America. Corporations are big, even in North Dakota trees are a rare sight and mutants are mostly gone. World-building is done right in “Logan.” The dystopian aspects of the world are learned throughout, rather than forced by exposition.

Logan and Professor X are the two main focuses of the movie and are both different than ever before. Logan is working as a limo driver, trying desperately to make money to provide a physically and mentally ill Professor X with medicine.

These are characters that I’ve grown up with for the past 17 years. To see them in such low places in “Logan” is difficult, but their struggles and character arcs make for an engaging movie. For Jackman and Stewart, their performances are both some of the best in the past 17 years of films.

This is a superhero movie with no costumes, no heroic speeches, but instead real consequences, guilt and lots of regret. This is all shown by compelling performances from Stewart and Jackman.

The film also introduces X-23, a young girl with very similar abilities to Logan, played by Dafne Keen. X-23 is the character that takes Logan and Professor X out of their everyday lives and moves the plot along. She doesn’t say much, but her presence in the film is powerful. She also kicks some serious butt for a child.

“Logan” is a must-see for superhero fans and casual moviegoers alike. The performances are top of the line, the story is tragic and beautiful at the same time and Jackman and Stewart end their “X-Men” careers on a high note. “Logan” is not only the best film in the “X-Men” franchise, it is one of the best superhero movies that there has been in a long time.

Contact the author at journalentertainment@wou.edu

4/4
+ Intense, violent action sequences
+ Incredible performances