Logan: 5 Things Wolverine Fans Should Be Excited For
Here at Comicbook.com we've been lucky enough to see Logan (aka Wolverine 3) in advance of its [...]
Here at Comicbook.com we've been lucky enough to see Logan (aka Wolverine 3) in advance of its official March 3rd release date - and suffice to say, we were not disappointed!
Our official Logan Review breaks down our feelings about the film; however, since Logan is one of the top films on fans' most anticipated lists (including a 4.29-of-5 in our ComicBook.com Anticipation Ratings), we thought we may offer fans some positive feedback, without spoiling things.
In that spirit, Here are 5 Things Wolverine Fans Should Be Excited For in Logan.
Standalone Freedom
The first thing to know about Logan is that it is truly a standalone X-Men movie - which (given the franchise's convoluted continuity) is a good thing!
That's not to say that Logan doesn't make reference to past installments of the franchise - indeed, the X-Men trilogy and even The Wolverine are all referenced either through dialogue or carefully placed Easter eggs. However, none of those references are crucial to Logan's self-contained narrative.
Fans hoping that this film will fix X-Men movie continuity or somehow reboot it for the future - leave that expectation at the door. James Mangold and Hugh Jackman are concerned with telling their own, quality, Wolverine standalone story, and they do so quite beautifully, and powerfully, without getting bogged down by the rest of the franchise.
R-Rated Action
Simply put: In terms of action, the is the Wolverine movie that hardcore fans have been waiting to see!
The action sequences in Logan are easily the best of the entire X-Men movie franchise, and the R-rating lets Wolverine and X-23 get into brutal, slice-an-dice brawls that are as gruesome as they are gracefully choreographed.
If you love John Wick's "gun-fu" then Logan's "claw-fu" action will blow you away!
Great (Final) Performances
Logan marks the end of Hugh Jackman's performance as Wolverine - a role he has held for nearly two decades. While X-Men franchise star Patrick Stewart hasn't officially bowed out of the franchise yet, each new installment could potentially be his last (for one reason or another...).
If Logan is truly Jackman's final ride, and possibly Stewart's as well, then the two actors would definitely go out on one of the highest notes possible. Logan is not just a great showcase of their characters, but of the actors' respective charisma and talent, as well. Jackman's dramatic performance is powerful and moving, while Stewart is a scene-stealer with a mix of comedy and compassion.
Supporting actors like Dafne Keen (Laura), Boyd Holbrook (Donald Pierce) and Steph Merchant (Caliban) are also really strong additions, making Logan feel like the type of tight and talented ensemble you see in an Oscar season drama.
Good Villains
Comic book movies can live or die by the quality of their villains, and the Wolverine franchise has had an especially hard time of getting the villain battles right.
Logan thankfully course-corrects that bad tradition with an charismatic and menacing main villain (Boyd Holbrook in a breakout role as Pierce), plus some suitably formidable henchmen foes for Wolverine to fight (The cybernetically enhanced Reavers).
With good villains we get some great conflict (see previous page) - and best of all, there are also a few surprises that fans won't see coming.
X-23
The biggest revelation of Logan is watching the breakout stardom of young actress Dafne Keen unfold before your eyes.
Laura Kinney / X-23 has become one of the most popular and iconic modern X-Men characters, and adapting her for the X-Men movies universe was a big deal. Yet Keen nails all aspects of her complicated role, displaying uncanny (pun) action physicality, strong (yet understated) dramatic emoting - some great comedic timing - and all of it without uttering a word of dialogue.
It's doesn't take long in Logan for Laura to become the actual star of the show, so Marvel Comics fans have nothing to worry about: Even if she's different than the version you know, Dafne Keen's X-23 will soon be just as much of an icon as her comic book counterpart.
More on Logan
Excited to see Logan? Rate the Movie for yourself in our anticipation ranking Below!
In 2024 the mutant population has shrunk significantly and the X-Men have disbanded. Logan, whose power to self-heal is dwindling, has surrendered himself to alcohol and now earns a living as a chauffeur. He takes care of the ailing old Professor X whom he keeps hidden away. One day, a female stranger asks Logan to drive a girl named Laura to the Canadian border. At first he refuses, but the Professor has been waiting for a long time for her to appear. Laura possesses an extraordinary fighting prowess and is in many ways like Wolverine. She is pursued by sinister figures working for a powerful corporation; this is because her DNA contains the secret that connects her to Logan. A relentless pursuit begins … In this third cinematic outing featuring the Marvel comic book character Wolverine we see the superheroes beset by everyday problems. They are ageing, ailing and struggling to survive financially. A decrepit Logan is forced to ask himself if he can or even wants to put his remaining powers to good use. It would appear that in the near-future, the times in which they were able put the world to rights with razor sharp claws and telepathic powers are now over.
Logan stars Hugh Jackman (Logan), Boyd Holbrook (Donald Pierce), Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier), Dafne Keen (X-23), Doris Morgado (Maria), Stephen Merchant (Caliban), Elizabeth Rodriguez (Gabriela), and Richard E. Grant (Dr. Zander Rice). James Mangold is directing and helped on the screenplay along with Scott Frank and Michael Green.
Logan hits theaters on March 3, 2017.
MORE: X-23 Explained / Logan Eyeing Big Opening Weekend / Patrick Stewart Reveals Differences In Charles Xavier
