"Logan" is a classic

There are some spoilers ahead for the new movie Logan. You have been warned.

Over the weekend, the film Logan made $85 million in North America, and $152 million internationally. I saw it Friday, and I must say it is arguably one of the finest pieces of superhero film-making ever.

I won't go so far as to say everyone should see it. If you know the X-men, even if only through the movies, then this is a must-see. If you don't know the X-men, then read up on them and then go see this movie.

Firstly, the acting is superb.

Hugh Jackman owns the character of Logan (aka "Wolverine"). Although he has played Logan throughout multiple films, Logan's Wolverine is an older mutant at the end of his superheroing days. His vaunted healing abilities aren't as strong as they once were, as the adamantium fused into his skeleton is leaking into his system and slowly killing him. I am strongly reminded of John Wayne's character in The Shootist (more about westerns and this movie later). This is a melancholy performance of the highest order by Jackman.

But Jackman has to be on his A-game, because Patrick Stewart deserves an Academy Award for best supporting actor here. Stewart's "nonagenarian" Charles Xavier is arguably one of the best examples of an Alzheimer's sufferer on film today. The fact he is a powerful telepath only makes his suffering that more poignant. Stewart plays the role to perfection.

Speaking of perfection, 11 year old Dafne Keen is amazing as Laura (aka "X-23" for you comic fans out there). Aside from seeing this little ball of fire kicking butt, she puts in a subtle yet perfectly acted performance. She spends half the movie not even speaking, and yet still conveying her thoughts. I personally hope she gets her own sequel, because she deserves it. The kid has talent.

Since every movie must have a great villain, Logan does not disappoint with Boyd Holbrook's Pierce and Richard E. Grant's Dr. Rice. Holbrook has the cocky demeanor of a great villain, even as Grant is smug in his scientific self-righteousness. If this movie has a flaw, it is the cookie-cutter villains. However, the villains are not really the story here. They may be pushing the plot along, but it is the main characters who do all the heavy lifting. The true villain here is age, as evidenced by Logan's fading skills, as well as Logan's battles his own younger clone X-24 (played by Jackman himself). Appropriately, it is Laura who kills X-24, and not Logan. The future always belongs to the young.

There is a running plot element surrounding the 1953 movie Shane, and that isn't by mistake. This movie has a lot of similar plot elements to Shane, as well as many other westerns. I mentioned The Shootist earlier, but Unforgiven also comes to mind, with a hint of The Wild Bunch.

I mention The Wild Bunch not so much for the plot but rather the unrepentant violence. Make no mistake, this is a very bloody and violent film. When two of your major characters use metal claws to fight, you have to expect some pretty nasty-looking killings. Strangely though, there is an almost ballet-like quality to the violence in Logan, as it is choreographed so very well.

Also, Logan's cinematography contributes mightily to the film's story, as well as its western nature. The sun-baked Mexican desert scenery gives way to North Dakota's wooded mountains, without much time spent in this vision of the year 2029. Self-driving semis are about the only sign of future tech, and they could just as easily be stampeding buffalo from a western. This future feels more like the old west, although it isn't a post apocalypse like the Mad Max films. It is all perfectly civilized, but it is the cinematography that makes it feel western, with the plot elements also there to remind you.

Big spoiler here: Logan does die at the end, but the scene where Laura turns the cross on his grave onto its side, making it look like an "X" (symbolizing the X-men), was the perfect ending touch on one of the great superhero films, as well as Hugh Jackman's 17 year run playing Wolverine. This is easily a 4 star film (out of 4 stars).

(UPDATE: Edited for clarity and added the poster.)