“Logan” provides a nice change from typical superhero films of today

Superhero movies have become very similar to the cereal in my cupboard: stale. The same types of action movies are produced by the same studios every year. I no longer care about Thor, Superman or any other two-dimensional hero. So it made sense when I was worried that Logan was going to be like the rest of the movies in its genre. Instead, I was happily surprised.

The movie is about The Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) helping out a young mutant named Laura (Dafne Keen). Logan takes place over a few days, and the audience learns about The Wolverine and Charles’ relationship and also about Laura and who she really is.

Within the first 15 minutes of the movie, it is easy to see why it was given an R rating. However, the movie carries themes like the importance of family, trust, and the realities of aging. Coupled with the stellar acting of Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart, the film was very good. This is surprising, considering the awful superhero movies that have come out lately. The story is easy to follow, but still has a crazy twist that keeps everyone in the theatre on the edge of their seats.

The movie does have its share of drawbacks. As someone who has never read a single X-men comic book, I have no background knowledge on Transigen, the antagonist of the movie, or the people that The Wolverine is fighting. Additionally, the movie is obscenely violent. At some points, I wasn’t sure if I was watching a superhero movie or Saw. However, the plot makes up for the unnecessary violence.

Logan told an interesting story that kept me interested for its 135 minute run time and deserves the high praise it has been receiving. The movie proves that having a gritty, down-to-earth plot is much more interesting for audiences than the typical “hero saving the world” plot. I give this movie 5 out of 6 Adamantium claws.