Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Richard E. Grant, Eriq La Salle, Elise Neal, Quincy Fouse
Review: In the near future, a weary Logan (Hugh Jackman) cares for an ailing Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) while hiding out from the world. When a mysterious young mutant (Dafne Keen) appears with trouble in tow, Logan and Charles must come to her aide and face evil forces and hard truths.
Honestly, I wouldn't even classify Logan as a superhero movie. Yes, it does feature mutants like Wolverine, Professor X, Caliban, X-23, and more, but this one is more of a drama or a western that deals with characters and their relationships, and has the occasional unflinching action scenes that easily earns it its R rating.
Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart have never been better. After playing these iconic characters for almost two decades they finally get to show their vulnerability, ugliness, and fear of what the future holds for them. They seem like two men that have had a tough "Father/Son" relationship that hasn't improved over the years. But through their failings and fights you can see their love and respect for one another. It's a risky road to take with beloved superheroes, but as it's been said, "Fortune favours the bold."
The real standout is Dafne Keen as Laura. For an 11-year-old actress to go toe-to-toe with Jackman and Stewart and not only make a lasting impression, but to help to elevate their characters and performances has to be seen to be believed. Keen is remarkable! Her screen presence and physicality makes one hope that she's got more outlining with this franchise in the future.
The script, direction, acting, cinematography, editing, music, all of it, make Logan one of the best, most real, heartfelt, emotional superhero films ever made. See Logan the way he was always meant to be seen! You will not be disappointed.
Fun Fact: The name Logan used as a driver, "James Howlett", is his birth name in the comics and in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009).