"Logan," the 2017 American superhero film, marks a profound entry as the tenth installment in the X-Men film series and the concluding chapter of the Wolverine trilogy. This film, featuring Hugh Jackman in the leading role, is directed by James Mangold and draws its inspiration from the "Old Man Logan" comics by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. It portrays an aged Wolverine and a gravely ill Charles Xavier, embroiled in a dire mission to protect a young mutant, Laura, from menacing adversaries led by Donald Pierce and Zander Rice.
Set in a dystopian 2029, the film presents a world where mutants have not been born for 25 years. Logan, battling the decline of his healing powers, lives a subdued life as a limousine driver in El Paso, Texas. Alongside him is the mutant tracker Caliban, as they both tend to the aging Charles Xavier, the founder of the X-Men, now suffering from dementia causing catastrophic telepathic seizures.
The narrative intensifies when Logan hesitantly agrees to escort Gabriela López, a former nurse at Alkali-Transigen, and Laura, a young girl, to a purported sanctuary known as Eden near the American-Canadian border. Following Gabriela’s demise, Logan confronts her murderer, Donald Pierce, the cyborg chief of security for Transigen. The film unravels a complex relationship as Pierce pursues Laura, who is revealed to be Logan's daughter, genetically engineered from his DNA. The trio – Logan, Laura, and Xavier – find themselves in a relentless chase, eluding Pierce and his Reavers, facing profound challenges and harrowing experiences.
In a pivotal moment in Oklahoma City, Logan discovers the mythical nature of Eden from Laura's X-Men comic book. Despite this revelation, their journey leads them to aid the Munson family following a traffic incident. However, this interlude of humanity is shattered by the arrival of X-24, a ruthless clone of Logan and Transigen's ultimate weapon, who murders Xavier and abducts Laura. In a fierce confrontation, Logan and Laura narrowly escape.
The film reaches its emotional zenith as Logan, nearing death, implores Laura to defy her origins as a weapon. In a touching acknowledgment, she recognizes him as her father, and Logan finds peace in her embrace as he passes away. In a symbolic act of remembrance, Laura repositions the cross on Logan’s grave into an X, paying homage to him as the final X-Men.
"Logan" transcends the conventional superhero genre, delving into profound themes such as the inescapability of aging, the search for purpose in a fading existence, and the enduring fight to protect innocence in a world that has seemingly turned its back on it. The film is distinguished by its emotional resonance, gritty authenticity, and a departure from standard superhero tropes, culminating in a poignant and powerful finale to Wolverine's story.
