I just watched the new X-Men movie, "LOGAN," staring the same Hugh Jackman for the last 17 years (its like they tried to make him old). Anyways, I am going to jump into a bit of the background for the story based on the Old Man Logan comic books before jumping into the review. So, no spoilers yet.
OLD MAN LOGAN:
Mad Max meets Borderlands? It's not funny, but it is amazing!
The comic series, Old Man Logan, takes place 50 years after the destruction of all the heroes in the newly formed United States of Amerika. A wasteland ruled by Red Skull (Marvel property), Wolverine turns pacifist in order to take care of his wife and daughter on his own secluded piece of "paradise" (also known as Hulkland). It isn't until his home is no longer safe (meaning he owes rent) that Logan teams up with a blind Hawkeye (another Marvel property) to hit the road and deliver a secret package. The package turns out to be the super soldier serum, enough to create an army. Before they make the delivery, Hawkeye and Logan are attacked and killed.
Except, Logan can't die. Logan wakes up in Red Skull's trophy case of fallen heroes. Enraged, Logan breaks out, kills Red Skull's men, and decapitates Red Skull...with Captain America's shield! Logan returns home and finds his family murdered by the Hulk's family.
Now the claws are out! Logan massacres the Hulk's family (including the Hulk), sparing only Bruce Banner Jr. Logan makes an oath to defeat all the world's supervillians and bring peace to the land with the help of Bruce Banner Jr.
Crazy story right? Now, for the movie (Spoilers Incoming):
LOGAN:
Mad Max meets True Grit + a mutant road trip with a crazy old man...
Before I start, make sure to go to the theater to watch the movie (if you are planning to watch it). There is a little surprise that I think you can only see at the theater. Anyways, on to the review.
Logan, staring Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart (Professor X), takes place in the year 2029 where all the heroes have been destroyed and Logan is now working as an aging limousine driver, trying to earn enough money to buy a boat.
The job also pays for Professor X's medical bills as he suffers from seizures and failing body. Helped by another mutant, Caliban, the trio are thrust into danger after a young Mexican woman and her daughter seek Logan's help to reach Eden (conveniently located in North Dakota). As many have gathered from the trailer, the "daughter" is actually Logan's clone, Laura Kinney (X-23 or Dafne Keen).
Forced into a father role, Logan takes care of Laura (along with Charles) as they go cross country to get her to Eden.
The movie becomes a western road trip movie with plenty of violence and language you would expect in a rated R Wolverine film. What I didn't expect was the amount of meta references and heart. This location, Eden, was literally stripped from the pages of an X-Men comic. The location of Eden (down to the map coordinates) was taken from the comic, which Logan dismisses as false, unrealistic writing. It turns out that Eden is in fact a place, at the correct coordinates, and in North Dakota. It played well into the story, but brought some much needed humor to fans of the comics and movies.
For the heart of the film, you see how much each character struggles with their age-related problems, past demons, and even the occasionally language barrier. From Professor X's devastating death to Logan's own untimely demise, it was all a bit heart wrenching. It didn't help seeing kids cry either over Logan's death. More brutal than the violence.
The performances by all the characters were incredible. Patrick's senile old man with bouts of wisdom, Logan's dismal of happiness and family, to Laura's whole performance. Laura, played by Dafne Keen, was by far the best part about the movie. From her use of silence to her child-like admiration for Logan, she had a well-played role that would have been tough for anyone (especially an 11 year old). This movie could setup an X-23 movie that people might enjoy.
Even the villains were rightfully evil and the tension that was built played well to the flawed, aging protagonists. I especially hated (and really liked) Donald Pierce, played by Boyd Holbrook (Narcos, Gone Girl). He made you want to punch him...and join his team. But, like Piggy in Lord of the Flies, everyone pays a price.
My only real qualm with the film was a trivial one...North Dakota. I've been to North Dakota and I can confidently say this: "They were not in North Dakota!" Too many mountains and trees, not enough open plains and wind farms.
OVERALL:
Logan lives up to the hype and it crushes the predisposed notion of what a comic book movie looks like. It was more than a fan service Wolverine movie. It was a really good movie. Period.