I took my seat in the theatre and waited patiently for the lights to darken. I chose to see the movie in a quiet small town theatre, not too far from where I live. It’s completely different from heading down to a midnight screening at your local Imax. It’s quiet enough for you to hear each individual conversation. The mood was anxious anticipation with eager fans old and new waiting to see the latest superhero flick.
Some, were clearly in the wrong audience. And, as the curtain opened on this unique superhero movie, there were quite a few shocked faces. Logan opens as it intends to continue and the less you know about that first scene the better. I must say I could feel the smile spreading across my face as the action unfolded.
Some have suggested this film is stretched out and I must disagree. When logan reached its powerful conclusion I was desperate for more and I’ll elaborate a little further down.
Everything is on point in this energetic, vibrant, violent send off for Hugh Jackman’s wolverine. The story is tight and simple when you cut away the muster. Get from point A to point B and don’t die in the process. It’s a road movie but it is one that is definitely worth taking. Logan almost manages to mix comedy, tragedy and violence as well as Deadpool. It knows when you want to see some blood and animal rage, it knows when to show more heart. It's greatest strength is the way it builds the action around the theme of family and what it means to the three main characters.
One of the most shocking things about this feature is how hard it hits home. There are story pieces here that anyone who has had to care for a sick elderly relative could relate to. Similarly, the story also touches on self harm, suicide and old age. It’s a bittersweet window into some of the worst parts of growing older, shown through the funhouse mirror of a superhero movie.
And let me tell you, this is definitely a superhero movie. I have read reviews claiming it doesn’t feel like one at all. Well, it certainly did to me. Though, I hasten to add that this probably won’t change your mind about the X Men franchise if you haven’t liked the path Fox have taken so far. It does little to apologize for the sidesteps they have taken away from the source material. There are little hints and nods to the original comics as you may have noticed in the trailers, but nothing that will make ‘comic book purists’ jump for joy. If anything the film seems to take pleasure in taunting the expectations of certain fans.
There is already oscar buzz surrounding Logan and the portrayals by it’s main cast. Jackman, Stewart and Keen all play their parts beautifully with the former two adding a depth to these characters that has never been fully realised. While Dafne Keen is definitely going to become a household name with an incredible, subtle onscreen persona. But credit must also be given to Stephen Merchant who gives a poignant performance as Caliban and Boyd Holbrook as the charismatic henchman. Even Richard E Grant uses limited screen time to deliver his lines in a memorable way. If there is a stand out, it’s definitely Jackman and there may well be an oscar nomination in his future. I would suggest that while the performances are capitvating they are elevated by fantastic writing, a tight story and compelling direction.
My gut also tells me that Logan might be missed completely by the academy in the same way Drive was several years ago because this is a very violent flick.
However, this film doesn’t use blood and gore as a way to shock or titillate the audience. Usually, if there is a gruesome scene it’s for the purpose of story, as it should be. It’s difficult to elaborate on that without giving away one of the surprises that is in store for you. Needless to say, the action scenes are epic and while it’s clear we’re watching a film on a tighter budget it’s still incredibly thrilling.
That said, this film is not perfect, but it’s most likely going to be the expectations you bring with you that will affect how you receive the movie. Logan is not the ultimate embodiment of the character from the comic book pages and it arguably pulls other characters further from their comic routes too. It is however a bloody, brilliant send off for this version of The Wolverine.
A final point about those three+ extra minutes. Unless the American version is different, nothing new has been added. There was no add ons at the beginning nor after the credits had finished rolling. Much, I might add to the dismay and disappointment of my fellow cinema goers. But, to be honest, an after credits scene wouldn’t fit here. Once the film ends there is nothing else to say and you’ll understand exactly what I mean when you watch it for yourself. As much as I would have liked a teaser, a nod to Deadpool 2 or anything else, the film is complete. It’s exactly what it intends to be.
Ultimately Logan rises the comic book movie genre to new heights and shows how incredible these films can be when they aren’t under any constraints. We’re only in March and Logan is definitely a contender for the comic movie of the year. After I’ve let it sink in a little more, it might even be one of my absolute favourites of all time.