LOGAN

Battered, bruised, bloodied, scarred, swearing and oh so epic...Hugh Jackman's Logan returned for his finale, and a few days ago I finally got to see the finished film.
In a word - it was pretty much perfect. A perfect celebration of the work and dedication Hugh Jackman has put into crafting and creating a character that is loved by generations, and one that has sustained and enjoyed massive success for over a decade. A perfect finale to go out on (though we're all wishing this wasn't the case) with a stunningly visceral, powerful, emotional, raw bad-ass Wolverine movie to end them all. And a perfect recognition of not only the character who really kick-started the X-Men on our screens, but of a truly iconic actor who embodied a truly iconic role.
To bow out in such wonderful fashion, Jackman and director James Mangold almost took this movie out of  and away from the entire X-men franchise, instead fashioning a pseudo-western, all out action romp, that also packed real emotive punch, that just so happened to feature everyone's favourite guy with the claws. It was gritty, it was incredibly stylised, it was the most realistic and grounded Marvel movie I've seen in years, possibly ever. I truly feel that even if you had no idea about any of the history or mythology you would be able to sit back and enjoy, and if you did have even the faintest inkling then you, like me would consider it a triumph.

The plot is a rough cut and paste of Old Man Logan (one of the most iconic Wolverine comic book stories ever) featuring a dystopian future, mutants almost extinct, a rough and ready yet enhanced version of the villainous Weapon X programme, and a few more added characters and embellishments that only serve to enhance the finished product.
Chief among the highlights is Sir Patrick Stewart as the now frail, fragile yet just as potent Charles Xavier. Yes this is not really an X-men film, but I am so so glad Stewart's Xavier was included. He serves as a reminder of how far Wolverine has come, and as a fitting companion on the final journey that ends in them both tragically coming to their ends. Not only that but Patrick Stewart is superb as ever; I feel it is easily his best Xavier performance, and the friendship, chemistry and bond with Jackman's Wolverine, both for characters and actors alike is plain and wonderful to see.
We also saw an unusual but also welcome new addition to the mutant roster in Stephen Merchant's Caliban, but another most impactful character was Dafne Keen as Wolverine clone X-23/Laura, I have often criticised the lack of empathy, ability and effort shown by some child actors before on this blog, but this time I had not even an inkling of any negatives. This young girl was stunning and a joy to watch. Rendered mute for most of the film, her energy, her instant screen presence, sheer power and ability to kick ass to match Jackman's Logan all added up to a brilliant character, and one that many have recognised has potential to be a future stalwart on our screens as Laura, and a star in her own right. And I cannot help but agree.
The only slightly disappointing cast elements were the villainous characters, with Boyd Holbrook as Donald Pierce just seeming arrogant and dry whilst leaving me cold, and the usually sound Richard E. Grant only just managed to portray a shaky version of exec controller/mutant exterminator Zander Rice.  Whilst slightly disappointing these cannot and do not detract from the overall stunning picture.

But really, when it comes down to it, this film is only about one man. One man playing one character (plus deranged clone). And perhaps predictably but no less superbly, Hugh Jackman is brilliant in his final outing as Logan. Portraying a new aged, weathered and dying version of the character, yet still remaining true to the Logan/Wolverine we all know and love; it felt like Jackman was simply slipping on an old glove, and that we were greeting a grizzled old friend for the final time before saying goodbye. And it is not just the gut-wrenching and heart-breaking moments throughout the film that render this the most emotional Wolverine movie. It is the constant knowledge that we are seeing him for the last time.


One of this film's advertising taglines was - "His Time Has Come". Yes it has, though I do not think anyone would complain if Hugh Jackman suddenly came back and did another three films ( -ahem- Deadpool crossover anyone?). But if this is the end, and it does look that way, then I for one as a fan cannot think of a better way for Hugh Jackman to have one last adventure, to live and breathe Wolverine one last time, before finally letting go of those claws.