Monday, January 1, 2018

Logan (2017) - 6 stars out of 10

Logan (2017) - 6 stars out of 10

Creating an R-rated superhero film as a realistic portrayal of the violence faced in hard-fought superhero battles: awesome.  The opening sequence of "Logan" embraces the rating, bringing to life the ferocity with which Wolverine can wield his blades and the severe dangers faced by superheroes.  Creating an R-rated superhero film as an excuse to toss around shock-value profanity: unacceptable.  The second scene of the film also embraces the rating, this time through the unnecessary repetition of the f-word by Dr. Xavier where the standard level of mild profanity would have sufficed.  This attempt by the writers to incorporate more grit into the film backfires as it distracts our focus from the story and makes the characters less endearing.  One thing is for sure - this is not your grandmother's superhero movie.  Gone are the cheesy one-liners and family-friendly villains.  Director James Mangold has given birth to a new era of superhero films with Tarantino-grade violence that is as shocking as a war film.  "Deadpool" opened the door but "Logan" will set the pace for subsequent R-rated superhero films.  Much of the critical acclaim for this film has centered around Hugh Jackman’s performance.  I actually didn’t find it to be that impressive as a stand-alone performance (as if he has never played the role before).  In order to see the genius behind Jackman’s portrayal, you have to compare it to every other interpretation of the character over the past 17 years.  I always look for a character transformation when judging an acting performance.  Honestly, there isn’t much of a transformation throughout this film but the title says it all.  We have uncovered many different layers of Wolverine over the years but this film reveals the final layer: “Logan,” the man who was once Wolverine.  A great actor can play many different characters but Jackman has played a single character in many different ways.  He is supported by an amazing performance by child actor Dafne Keen in the role of Laura.  Outside of them, the rest of the acting is average.  I wondered if the grit and drama of this film could make it the best of the dark superhero reboots but I still maintain Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy as the greatest superhero series ever made.  Mangold’s realistic action violence complimented the story but Nolan managed to create his gritty, intense action sequences and terrifying villains (Scarecrow, Joker, and Bane) without a need for dozens of f- and s-words.  “Logan” will forever be remembered for its R-rated approach to superhero genre.  Its well-conceived story won’t matter, nor will the fact that it is Hugh Jackman’s ninth and final portrayal as Wolverine.  For better or worse, “Logan” is defined by its rating and everything that comes with it.

[Pictured: High marks for Jackman's portrayal of Old Man Logan and the incredible action sequences, but it is all tainted by excessive language that detracts from the story]

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