Logan Film Review

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Boyd Holbrook, Caliban, Dafne Keen, Donald Pierce, Dr Rice, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Hugh Jackman, James Mangold, Logan, Logan film review, Marvel Comics, Old Man Logan, Patrick Stewart, Professor X, Richard E Grant, Sci-Fi Jubilee, Stephen Merchant, The Reavers, Wolverine, X-23, X-Men

Logan

Review by Paul Bowler

Logan embarks on a violent, bloody, finale stand as Hugh Jackman returns to the role of Wolverine, the iconic Mutant X-Man with the unbreakable adamantium skeleton, retractable claws, and incredible healing factor. Based loosely around the Marvel Comics classic Old Man Logan storyline by writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven, Logan is tenth instalment in the X-Men film series from 20^th Century Fox where Jackman originally debuted as Wolverine in X-Men (2000), its also the third Wolverine film after the less than favourable X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and the far superior The Wolverine (2013).

Set in 2029 where Mutantkind is on the brink of extinction, Logan (Hugh Jackman) finds our erstwhile hero now a shadow of his former self, ravaged by age, world weary, and slowly being poisoned by the Adamantiun in his body. Logan is carving out a meagre living as a chauffeur in El Paso, his only ally is the albino Mutant Caliban (Stephen Merchant), and together they care for the X-Men’s former leader Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) – who is now suffering from a degenerative neurological condition – in a derelict hideout across the border in Mexico.

But danger and tragedy strikes when the nurse Gabriella (Elizabeth Rodriguez) from the secret Transigen project entrusts Logan with a mission to escort Laura / X23 (Dafine Keen), a mute child with powers savagely akin to Wolverine‘s own abilities, to a sanctuary in North Dakota. Logan and Laura set out a dangerous cross country journey, closely pursued by Transigen’s deadly operatives The Reavers and their vicious cybernetically enhanced leader, Donald Pierce (Boyd Holbrock), and as the final stand looms on the Canadian border Logan must confront the dark secrets of his past as he faces his ultimate destiny…

Hugh Jackman give a powerful, emotive, and rip-roaring performances as the aging Mutant, who proves he’s still a force to be reckoned with even though his fabled healing factor isn’t exactly what it used to be. If anything, Jackman’s grizzled portrayal as the old man Logan is probably his finest turn yet in the iconic role that he‘s undeniably made his own since he first played it seventeen years ago. Despite Logan’s ragged and downtrodden appearance, Jackman’s brooding physical presence is still every bit as imposing as ever, and when those claws pop you better watch out bub!Just like 20^th Century Fox’s smash-hit X-Men spin-off, Deadpool, Logan positively revels in its fifteen certificate. The violence is brutal, visceral, and unflinching, but it feels good to see Jackman portray Logan in a movie that finally allows Wolverine a chance to really cut loose against his enemies with the full-on savage fury that the character is so well-known for in the comics.

Patrick Stewart is also on fine form as the ailing Professor X, and his scenes with Hugh Jackman are utterly sublime. Charles is like a surrogate father figure to Logan now, the bond between them is as unbreakable as adamantium itself, and the combined tragedy of their circumstances coupled with the Professor’s terrifying psychic seizures brings added gravitas to many of Logan’s most poignant and powerful moments. Stephen Merchant is also excellent as the Mutant tracker Caliban, while Dafne Keen is a revelation as Logan’s young prodigy, the stoic, and sometimes frighteningly feral, Laura / X23. Richard E Grant is also good as the sinister Dr Zander Rice, the head of Transigen, and Boyd Holbrock is brilliant as the ruthless Reaver henchman Donald Pierce.

Directed by James Mangold, who also helmed 2013’s The Wolverine, Logan is a film that side-steps the usual superhero movie conventions to take us, much like the comic book storyline that inspired it, into much darker territory. Logan is a no-nonsense, uber-violent, blend of western and road movie, tinged with a razor keen sense of humour, and a strong character driven plot.

There are a few pacing issues, but nothing too major. Mangold also skilfully bends in nods to the previous X-Men films and comic book references – quite literally in one instance – for fans, but don’t expect colourful costumes, or huge CGI action set-pieces. Logan is a bleaker, far grittier experience, and it makes for a film that feels all the more richer as a result.

Logan is the Wolverine movie we’ve always wanted. It takes us on an epic journey for what is, purportedly, Hugh Jackman’s final adventure as the ferocious Wolverine, and it brings the characters cinematic saga full circle. It’s beautifully filmed, the story is dark and compelling, and it races to a rampaging action-packed finale which in turn provides a brutally fitting and emotional swansong for Jackman’s time in the role.

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New Logan Trailer Released!

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Boyd Holbrook, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Eriq La Salle, Hugh Jackman, James Mangold, Logan official trailer, Logan Official Trailer 2, Logan trailer, Logan Trailer 2, Marvel, New Logan trailer, New Logan Trailer Released, New Wonverine Trailer, Old Man Logan, Patrick Stewart, Richard E Grant, Sci-Fi Jubilee, Stephen Merchant, Wolverine

New Logan Trailer Released!

20^th Century Fox has just released the brand new second trailer for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine film, Logan! In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hideout on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.

Staring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant,andDafneKeen.

Directed by James Mangold

Logan is in Theaters – March 3, 2017

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First Official Trailer for Logan

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Boyd Holbrook, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Eriq La Salle, Hugh Jackman, James Mangold, Logan official trailer, Logan trailer, Marvel, New Wonverine Trailer, Old Man Logan, Patrick Stewart, Richard E Grant, Stephen Merchant, Wolverine

First Official Trailer For Logan released!

Check out the first trailer Fox have released for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine film, LOGAN. I think it looks great, very mean, moody, and apocalyptic looking! Starring Hugh Jackman as Logan, Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Elizabeth Rodriguez , Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Richard E. Grant and Eriq La Salle, Logan arrives in cinemas on March 3rd, 2017.

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The Wolverine Film Review

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Harada, Hirokyuki Sanda, Hugh Jackman, James Mangold, Logan, Mariko, Marvel, Rila Fukushima, Silver Samurai, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Tao Okomoto, The Wolverine, Viper, Will Yun Lee, Yashida, Yukio

The Wolverine

Review by Paul Bowler

The Wolverine claws his way back onto the screen as Hugh Jackman returns to the role of the adamantium clawed mutant, in director James Mangold’s exceptional film that draws its inspiration from the classic 1982 comic book mini-series by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller. After the critical mauling that greeted Wolverine’s previous solo film, the dire X-Men: Origins (2009), the series was left in serious need of a healing factor. The success of Matthew Vaughan’s X-Men First Class in 2011 (which included a scene stealing cameo by Jackman) revived the film series, and with Bryan Singer also returning to the X-Men franchise to helm the eagerly anticipated Days of Future Past, its now time for Logan to return in  director James Mangold’s film: The Wolverine.

The Wolverine opens with a flashback to 1945 in Nagasaki where Logan (Hugh Jackman) is being held prisoner by the Japanese. He manages to escape as the atomic bomb is detonated, and protects one of the Japanese soldiers by shielding him from the blast with his own body. The man called Yashida watches in awe as Logan’s mutant healing factor allows him to regenerate almost instantly from the effects of the explosion.

Years later we rejoin Logan in the present day, a broken man after the death of Jean Grey, he is now living a solitary existence in the wilderness. Haunted by the ghost of Jean Grey, the woman he loved but was tragically forced to kill, life no longer has any meaning for him. When the flame haired assassin Yukio (Rila Fukushima) tracks Logan down, she persuades him to return with her to Japan for a meeting with the elderly Yashida (Hal Yamanouchi), who is now an extremely rich and powerful man – and it appears that the old debt from Logan’s past can finally be settled when the ailing Yashida offers Logan the opportunity to be free of his immortality.

Soon afterwards, Logan finds that he has been stripped of his mutant healing powers. He is then faced with the task of protecting the heiress to Yashida’s dynasty, his granddaughter Mariko (Tao Okomoto), as the Yazuka attempt to kidnap her. Hunted by a gang of deadly assassins led by the sinister Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova), Logan must face up to his innermost demons as his relationship with Mariko develops, with the sword wielding Yukio as his only ally, he will have to unleash the full fury of his adamantium claws to defeat Viper and the Silver Samurai.

While it may not match the visual spectacle of The Avengers or the brooding legacy of The Dark Knight trilogy, The Wolverine shifts the focus away from the city levelling format of recent blockbusters such as Man of Steel to offer a more complex, and character driven film. With influences ranging from epic Samurai dramas, Westerns, and even subtle hints of film noir, The Wolverine takes us to the menacing neon-lit streets of Tokyo and plunges us right at the heart of a power struggle within the criminal underworld.

The Wolverine is a stylishly crafted film from Walk The Line and 3:10 to Yuma director James Mangold, who perfectly balances the films more serious moments with occasional flourishes of humour and exhilarating action sequences. The first half of the film sets up the story perfectly, introducing characters and exciting set-pieces, before Wolverine’s powers are taken and he begins to grow close to Mariko. The events of  X-Men Last Stand (2006) continue to be felt, as visions of Jean Grey continues to haunt Logan’s nightmares, and the film skilfully addresses his inner turmoil as Logan finally begins come to terms with his guilt over his role in her death.

Hugh Jackman is fantastic as Wolverine; he rightfully takes centre stage here, bringing an added depth to the character as he embarks on his quest of self-discovery.  Tao Okomoto also acquits herself well as Logan’s love interest, Mariko, but it is Rila Fukushima’s excellent performance as Yukio that really steals the show. The red haired assassin, who has the ability to foretell death, proves to be a great sidekick for Logan, and her acrobatic fighting skills are an awesome sight to behold. Hirokyuki Sanda is also excellent as Shingen Yashida, Mariko’s father, a man driven by his lust for power. Svetlana Khodchenkova plays the sleazy Viper, a venomous snake tongued villainess, but the characters full potential is not really explored, and subsequently feels a little undeveloped as a result. The mysterious archer Harada (Will Yun Lee) gets some good scenes, the Silver Samurai is also impressive, and has a great battle with Wolverine.

The Wolverine does have a few pacing issues, particularly in the middle section where the plot begins to drag a little, but fans of the comic books are sure to appreciate the more layered approach to the story and the development of Logan’s character. There are plenty of action scenes as well: with a beautifully orchestrated attack at a funeral, a spectacular assault by ninjas on the snowbound streets, Wolverine’s impressive confrontation with the Silver Samurai, and a stunning high-octane fight on the top of a bullet train.

By taking Wolverine out of familiar territory and placing him in Japan, director James Mangold exceeds all expectations, along with screenwriters Mark Bomback, Scott Frank, and Christopher McQuarrie, to create a modern-day setting full of deadly adversaries and brutal violence while seizing the opportunity to explore Logan’s character in greater depth.

With a plot full of twists and turns, there is plenty to recommend here, it is only during the final act where things begin to unravel a little as the somewhat chaotic finale does seem to undermine the exquisite care and attention to detail lavished on the earlier scenes in the film. It may not be quite the Wolverine film we were all hoping for, but it comes pretty damn close, and be sure to sick around for a great little scene in the end credits.