On February 12, 2016, Deadpool premiered in Sweden, and its financial success quickly signaled its trajectory as the second highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, surpassed only by The Passion of the Christ (2004).
20th Century Fox, recognizing the viability of R-rated superhero narratives, subsequently greenlit James Mangold (Copland) to produce Logan – The Wolverine with an R-rating, which he fully embraced.
The narrative unfolds in 2029, a period where mutants are nearing extinction. The X-Men are deceased, save for Logan (Hugh Jackman) and Professor X (Patrick Stewart). Logan has transitioned from superhero to a chauffeur, while Professor X is secluded near the Mexican border under the care of Caliban (Stephen Merchant) and Logan. This seclusion is necessitated by Professor X’s degenerative disease, which poses a direct threat to his life if medication is not administered promptly. They endure a bleak existence, harboring aspirations of purchasing a boat and escaping their current circumstances. However, fate intervenes when Logan encounters a woman accompanied by a young girl named Laura (portrayed effectively by Dafne Keen in her debut role), seeking safe passage for the child due to pursuers. Initially hesitant, Logan’s resolve wavers upon the offer of substantial financial compensation, envisioning his desired boat. This mission soon reveals complexities beyond his initial expectations, initiating an unconventional road movie.
The decision to rate Logan R is commendable, aligning with the film’s intensely brutal nature. The film portrays violence unflinchingly, explicitly depicting the consequences of Wolverine’s attacks. However, the pervasive use of profanity is a potential drawback. While the rating permits such language, its frequency can feel excessive and, arguably, detracts from character nuance. Professor Xavier’s consistent use of profanity, even considering his age and declining mental state, feels incongruent with the established character. The constant barrage of expletives risks overshadowing the characters themselves. A more judicious application would have been impactful.
Visually, Logan is well-executed, exhibiting a consistent and appealing aesthetic (the Noir version will be discussed further). One potentially divisive creative choice is Logan’s pronounced age and diminished abilities (his healing factor is compromised, and he is gradually succumbing to Adamantium poisoning). This portrayal, at times, borders on excessive, eliciting more pity than admiration. In contrast, Patrick Stewart’s portrayal of Professor Xavier is masterful, delivering both dramatic and humorous moments and constituting several of the film’s highlights.
Hugh Jackman delivers an exceptional performance as Logan, embodying the weary hero with conviction. However, as previously noted, his debilitation is, at times, overemphasized. Approximately 3 minutes and 32 seconds could have been allocated to showcase Logan’s capabilities without undermining the overall narrative. Furthermore, Logan’s decisions are occasionally inconsistent, requiring audience suspension of disbelief. Dafne Keen’s performance as Laura is noteworthy; child actors can be challenging, but she adeptly avoids caricature. Laura, in a SPOILER, is revealed to be a mutant with powers comparable to Logan’s, including similar claws. This revelation highlights one of Logan’s questionable decisions: upon realizing the danger she faces, he initially abandons her to armed pursuers. Only after witnessing her combat prowess does he intervene. This inconsistency underscores the film’s central conflict: the filmmakers’ attempt to portray Logan as a disillusioned anti-hero sometimes overshadows his heroic qualities. While the film’s premise revolves around his departure from heroism, his actions at times approach moral reprehensibility, potentially alienating viewers.
The film’s antagonist, Pierce, portrayed by Boyd Holbrook, is somewhat underdeveloped, initially escaping recollection. Holbrook delivers a competent performance, but a more compelling villain would have benefited the narrative (particularly considering the availability of the black and white version). Richard E. Grant’s character, Dr. Rice, shows promise but receives limited screen time. The film’s most compelling antagonist will remain unmentioned to avoid spoilers.
Logan Noir
Upon its theatrical release, Logan exhibited a satisfactory visual presentation. The subsequent release of a black and white version, Logan Noir, initially seemed superfluous. However, experiencing the film in this format proved to be transformative. Visual effects, which occasionally appeared artificial in the original, gained a heightened sense of realism. The black and white presentation seemingly bypasses the viewer’s perception of special effects. The depiction of violence is intensified, and the overall experience is visceral. Logan Noir merits a significantly higher rating than the original theatrical release.
The UHD edition of Logan includes both the theatrical cut and the Logan Noir version, alongside Blu-ray versions and supplemental features. Given that the original film was captured in true 4K using ARRI Alexa XT cameras, its transfer to UHD format is well-justified. The film boasts impressive detail, with Logan’s scars, facial features, and surroundings rendered with exceptional clarity. The depth of field is particularly striking, especially during the climactic forest showdown, which is both dramatically and visually compelling. The application of HDR enhances the black and white presentation, achieving a balance between deep blacks and bright whites. In several scenes, Logan evokes the aesthetic of an impressionistic painting, with meticulously lit details that fully utilize a high-quality 4K HDR display.
The audio presentation is equally impressive, featuring a Dolby Atmos track that complements the film’s Marvel-Western tone. The mix delivers impactful bass, gunfire, and explosions during action sequences. While the “height” elements of the Atmos mix may be somewhat understated, the overall sound quality is unlikely to disappoint, even with downmixing due to limited speaker configurations.
The extras consist primarily of commentary tracks and deleted scenes, along with an hour-long documentary. While the documentary contains some formulaic praise, it also includes valuable insights into the film’s production.
Logan‘s commercial success as a top-grossing R-rated film underscores the appeal of mature, action-oriented superhero narratives. This begs the question: when will Warner Bros. authorize an R-rated Batman film?
https://youtu.be/_bGpyQm7bPU
Så här sätter vi betyg på Senses