I can remember when I first heard the Hugh Jackman would be playing the iconic Wolverine in the then upcoming X-Men films, and I thought, "this guy is too tall, and he's Australian, not Canadian." I didn't really give him a chance, and then I saw him on film. WOW!!!! He really brought the essence of Wolverine to the big screen. Now, I can't imagine anyone else playing the role.
In this final film that will star Hugh Jackman in this fantastic role, you get the sense that an era is coming to an end, and it is, in a big way! Then we find out that this is not only the final film for Jackman, but also the last time we will see Patrick Stewart in the role of Charles Xavier! Not sure the news could be any worse!
In this futuristic story line, we find an aged Logan, ailing from a gradual loss of his healing factor, caring for an Alzheimer's riddled Professor Xavier. For some reason, Logan has proclaimed to never again bare the claws and the berserker rage that made him near unstoppable in his early days with the now unseen X-Men. Logan, in an attempt to keep out stray thoughts, is hiding Xavier in a derelict silo and tries constantly to keep his old friend in some state of peace, while working as a chauffeur.
Suddenly, out of the blue, Logan is charged with getting a young girl safely to the Canadian border. However, this young passenger, is more than she seems and is being pursued by a group of enhanced humans, bankrolled by a sinister corporation. Now Logan, against his best wishes, must risk his and Xavier's lives to get this strange girl to safety.
Now, I'm not sure if it's because Logan is old and soft, but you sense a connection between him and Laura, Dafne Keen, even before we find out that she was created from Wolverine's own DNA by the Essex Corporation. The bond that grows between Laura and Logan is so touching, given the heroes backstory. Eventually, we see that Logan is willing to sacrifice any and everything to protect Laura. Including the life of Xavier and his own.
As the end of the film approaches, we find that Laura isn't the only clone to have come from Logan, but possibly the only one not looking to kill the original.
In my humble opinion, this is the best performance Jackman has given to this character. The emotion and drive he delivers is so great, you believe it is his own. Jackman gives Logan a vulnurability that the character has never had prior. As for Patrick Stewart, you really get a sense of suffering from Xavier. A man who once possessed the most powerful mind on the planet, now can barely remember his own name. And what is the tragedy that was so great to cause Wolverine to sheath his claws forever? Finally, we have the absolutely superb performance by young Miss. Keen. She is so good, that I feel very comfortable leaving the mantel of Wolverine in her more than capable hands.
I guarantee that if you are a fan of the X-Men lore, either in the books, film, or both, you will be left in tears. My daughter was inconsolable in the theater. I, being a fan of both comic and film, felt like I was very happy to see this chapter end like it did. I understand, that no matter how much I wish that Jackman and Stewart could play these roles forever, as artists, it can begin to hinder them. These roles come with such a strong and huge commitment, that they can't do them forever.
I really loved this movie, and I was so excited to see it get the chrome treatment on the Blu-ray version. It does have quite a bit of violence, but I still say it's ok for anyone over 13.
No comments:
Post a Comment