Logan (2017), R, ★★★★

Hugh Jackman as Logan one last time. 

Let's throwback to 1999-2000 when the first X-Men was in development and produced into theaters and people were noticing now recognizable and celebrated stars such as Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, Sir Ian McKellen, etc. However, there an unknown name at the time that audiences were hooked onto because of his portrayal of Wolverine and Hugh Jackman became a star and even cemented his name even more: with smarmy rom-coms such as Kate and Leopold and Someone Like You, the former being forgettable and the latter being ok. However, with X2: he became so recognizable that we got intrigued by the story and structure and became one of the best Marvel films to date. Unfortunately, the Wolverine trilogy started badly with X-Men: Origins, a terrible movie and then with a better movie with The Wolverine, a semi-very-good movie with the first half being real good and the second half going off the deep end, however, it was solid. Now, with the finale of this trilogy, Jackman can ride off into the sunset with his head hung high as this cemented itself as not solely as a great superhero movie but a movie that is so driven and dense with fantastic performances, a complex story and emotion.

In the year 2029, no new mutants have been born or been brought about in 14 years as there have been somewhat of a drought of mutants. Logan (Hugh Jackman) has aged greatly because the adamantium in his healing power has affected him tremendously as he is also working as a limo driver. He also is hustling for prescription drugs in Texas as he and Caliban (Stephen Merchant), another mutant, is living in abandoned plant across the border in Mexico. They are both caring for Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart), who is suffering from a disease which causes him to lose his telepathic powers.

One day, Logan is met by Donald Pierce (Boyd Holbrook) because Pierce is offering Logan a job but turns him down. Logan is asked by a nurse for him to escort himself and a girl named Laura (Dafne Keen) who is also nicknamed "X-23", a child who has mutant powers, to a place in North Dakota in a peaceful place. However, he, Xavier and Laura have escaped from a group of killers - Pierce and his cyber-enforced posse of killers named the Reavers - but Caliban is captured and forced to track the three of them down. So, they are on the run and also on the road on the way to North Dakota as Logan bonds with her and Logan and Xavier learn about her and a secret program.

Let's get out of here. 

This is one of the best superhero movies I've ever seen and it ranks with the best of the best: The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Spider-Man 2, Deadpool, X2: X-Men United and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. But do you notice most of the movies I have listed? Four of them are sequels. This movie is a third movie of the Wolverine franchise. Both Hugh Jackman and director James Mangold invested their time and money to finish off with a fantastic storyline. It is not as noisy or joyful as some other superhero movies such as some X-Men films. The movie has a somber tone throughout the story that is supported by a glimmer of hope because the girl represents that virtue for a new wave of mutants.

Also, another theme the movie tackles and it is noticeable is a theme surrounding immigration. (It is a bit of a spoiler.) But, what I liked that it tackles that theme with positivity as all the children that are also breeded mutants from a scientific lab and are diverse because they want to live peacefully and not adjudicate to violence. It also sets the tone because the movie does not feel like the traditional superhero movie. The movie felt like a crossover between Terminator 2 and Unforgiven. Yes, a western. It had the feel of a western because of Logan not wanting to provide any help and wants to help in peace. However, a girl's hope compels Logan to do the right thing. It also has a nice foreshadowed moment in which Professor X and Laura are watching a movie in a hotel in Oklahoma City.

Hugh Jackman gives one of his best, if not his best, performances of his career. I'm not kidding. He is not full of rage and also alcohol from the start of the movie. But, he is bitter because the people and mutants he cared about are gone. He is vulnerable because he is aging and does not have the healing factor he has had when he was younger. However, he still has a bit of concern for the future meaning Laura even though he is reluctant to take her to wherever she needs to go. What I loved about this movie is the "father-son" relationship between Logan and Professor X. Patrick Stewart provides some humor and chemistry with Jackman that does not go into full dark territory. I will say that one of his moments provide poignancy that is so emotional. Boyd Holbrook gives a menacing and also humorous performance to his character as he is sort of the "Robert Patrick" character of sorts. Dafne Keen is quietly good with her facial expressions and also his chemistry with Jackman.

Director James Mangold has also made another western called 3:10 to Yuma, which was also a remake, but it is stylistic, violent and poetic. His R-rated superhero film has all of those adjectives that evoke that somber tone that focuses on Logan and also the state for future mutants. The rating makes sense to make the finale more realistic with great action sequences and also a few funny moments with profanity. (I have to admit it was kind of funny when Professor X said a couple of f-words.) It is great to acknowledge Jackman who has played the same character for 17 years but he is a different Wolverine/Logan. This movie belongs with the higher ranks of superhero movies that people will talk about and enjoy for a long time. This is the first great movie of 2017, a rare great superhero film.

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