Logan (2017)

Genres

Action | Drama | Sci-Fi

Director

James Mangold

Country

USA

Cast

Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Eriq La Salle, Elise Neal

Storyline

In 2029 the mutant population has shrunk significantly and Logan (Hugh Jackman) is hiding Professor X (Patrick Stewart) on the Mexican border. But his attempts to hide fail when Laura (Dafne Keen), a young mutant pursued by dark forces, arrives into his life.

Opinion

Until about a month ago I wasn't even sure I wanted to spend money on "Logan" and the reason was pretty simple, the final instalment of any trilogy usually ends up terribly. It happened with the original X-Men, it happened with the prequel trilogy, and I was sure it was going to happen with Wolverine as well. Then a week ago the film hit the theatres around the world and people started saying how good it was, so I had to see it myself. And everyone was right, "Logan" is, in fact, a beautiful, dark, powerful and emotional farewell to one of the greatest heroes of this century as well as one of the best superhero movies ever made. The greatest after Nolan's "The Dark Knight" I'd say.

It is different than the others X-Men flicks, though. Instead of focusing on the action and CGI as I was afraid the filmmakers would do, the film's strength lays in its new, original and impressive story that is well developed and that, most important, makes of "Logan" more than just another superhero flick, but a story about aging and family as well.

The film is also a deep and intimate character study. It really digs into the characters we love, it shows their vulnerability, and it makes you feel something both for Logan and Professor X that you've probably never felt in the previous X-Men films, especially because of their farther-and-son relationship. It is quite heartbreaking to see an old and sick Logan taking care of an even older and sicker Xavier. Then there's the new entry, Laura aka X-23, another deep and wonderfully developed character.

One might complain of the weakness of the villains - it's Marvel's biggest problem when it comes to movies -, but this time it's not that important. The villains are just a tiny plot element, something needed for the growth of the character.

Coming next is the acting. Words aren't enough to describe the performances given by Hugh Jackman as a worn Logan, Patrick Stewart as a Xavier on the brink of death, and especially the young Dafne Keen who steals the show as Laura.

And finally, although it is not the focus, let's remember that "Logan" still is an action film, and it excels in that too. Director James Mangold not only was able to deliver impressive and violent action sequences but he was able to balance them with the drama, and most important to integrate them into the fantastic emotional journey this film is.

The Wolverine (2013)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

James Mangold

Country

USA | UK

Cast

Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Brian Tee, Will Yun Lee, Famke Janssen, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen

Plot

In modern day Japan, vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality.

Opinion

Finally someone - director James Mangold and writers Scott Frank and Mark Bomback - decided to take the Wolverine series seriously.

The Wolverine is an interesting, thrilling and brilliant standalone film, way better than its predecessor. The story is well-written, and more complex and thoughtful than it was before: while in X-Men Origins: Wolverine the story explained his past, this film is an excellent character study and well-represented Logan's personal struggles.

The film has a big samurai made of adamantium, and that's really awesome as it sounds. The spectacular action is mostly filled with intense fight scenes. The cinematography is a little above average. The villains - yes, there are more than one - are fine, each with their own compelling motivation.

Hugh Jackman still does an incredibly good job with his Wolverine, and the chemistry he has with Tao Okamoto, who plays Mariko, makes the love story more realistic.


Quotes

Logan: What do you want?
Magneto: There are dark forces, Logan. Human forces building a weapon that could bring about the end of our kind. What do I want? I want your help.
Logan: Why would I trust you?
Magneto: You wouldn't.
Charles Xavier: Hello, Logan.
Logan: How is this possible?
Charles Xavier: As I told you a long time ago, you are not the only one with gifts.

Logan: Don't hurt my friends! 

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

Genre


Director


Country

USA | UK

Cast

Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Will.i.am, Lynn Collins, Kevin Durand, Dominic Monaghan, Taylor Kitsch, Daniel Henney, Ryan Reynolds, Scott Adkins, Tim Pocock, Max Cullen, Julia Blake, Tahyna Tozzi, Aaron Jeffery, Peter O'Brien, Asher Keddie, Daniel Negreanu, Troye Sivan, Michael James Olsen

Plot

Two mutant brothers, Logan (Hugh Jackman) and Victor (Liev Schreiber), born 200 years ago, are fighters and killers, living from war to war through U.S. history. In modern times, Colonel Stryker (Danny Huston) recruits them and other mutants as commandos. After a while, Logan quits, becomes a lumberjack and falls in love with a local teacher (Lynn Collins). When Logan refuses to rejoin Stryker's crew, the Colonel sends Victor to kill the girl, and now Logan wants revenge.

Opinion

Wolverine has never been my favourite character, and he'll never be, but he was the best written and the best acted on the X-Men saga, so I was pretty excited about it.

Said that, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is not bad, but it isn't even as good as it could have been, or as I was expecting it to be.

While the film is action packed, and the fights - involving Wolverine, Sabretooth and Deadpool - are great, the writing is very disappointing. I wonder how David Benioff and Skip Woods came up with the idea of a brotherhood between Wolverine and Sabretooth, or why Logan is halfway between the good guy and the beast. Also Gambit's character isn't developed at all, he just shows up for a while. And Logan's love story is pointless.

The acting is all great. Hugh Jackman keeps doing an excellent job with his Wolverine. Liev Schreiber does an incredible job portraying Sabretooth, delivering a true animalistic performance.


Quotes

Remy LeBeau/Gambit: See, the only difference between a winner and a loser is character. Every man has a price to charge, and a price to pay. Yeah, I've paid mine in spades.

Rating

6.5/10