LOGAN

I am of the opinion that the output of the massive superhero franchises of recent years has been generally underwhelming. Most rely on action, spectacle, and a religiously devoted fan base to drive their endless streams of revenue. For those reasons, when films come along that are only slight exceptions to these commonalities, the movie community tends to react impetuously. Marvel's 2017 blockbuster, "Logan", is an example of a film which seems to benefit not from its own achievements, but from the monotony of the genre which it falls into.

"Logan" marks the ninth time that Hugh Jackman has played Logan, also known as Wolverine, in a Marvel film. Jackman's character is arguably the most iconic hero of the X-Men franchise, and this is the role which has earned Jackman his most high-profile attention in popular culture. In this installment in the saga of Wolverine, the claw-wielding mutant is a shell of his former self. He's warn out, beat down, and forced to spend much of his time caring for the aging Professor X (Patrick Stewart). We find Logan living a somewhat normal and slow life at the beginning of the film, as he attempts to shield himself and Professor X from the hostile world around them and their controversial pasts. However, society's malicious attitude toward mutants and the discovery of a similarly gifted daughter spawned from the DNA of Logan prevent the character from staying hidden from the world.

While playing Logan over the course of the past twenty years has made Hugh Jackman an international star, I look forward to him hopefully acting in a wider variety of films upon the end of his Marvel days. In this film however, Jackman excellently fills the aging, cynical hero role. Patrick Stewart delivers as usual in his return to Professor X, but the pleasant surprise of the film comes in the form of newcomer Dafne Keen's turn as Logan's tight-lipped, introspective young daughter, Laura. Keen consistently handles action and dramatic scenes well beyond her years.

"Logan" has received praise from not only superhero fans, but critics as well. I have heard things from "best superhero movie ever" to comparisons to Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" in its combination of thoughtful storyline and explosive action. My apologies to Marvel diehards, but "Logan" is simply not on that level. I do appreciate its relative lack of  reliance on computer graphics and special effects, but the story of a grouchy, weathered former tough-guy is simply too familiar. Nothing about the script or the story is as groundbreaking as the film wants us to believe. Its possible that my lack of appreciation for Marvel films overall plays into my immunity to "Logan"'s attempted poignancy, but the film does not truly sustain the deep emotional quality which it seeks. That being said, I will not deny that it is head and shoulders above many other Marvel films in its establishing of deep characters and in its focus on individuals over visuals.

"Logan" is a good superhero film, but it is not any kind of cinematic landmark. Do not be surprised if hardcore members of the comic book community push for this film to be highly represented in next year's Oscar conversations. When compared to many other productions from the Marvel money making machine, it excels, but when looking at it as a stand-alone film, I am not as stirred as the rest of the movie world seems to be.

RATING: 6.8/10