A long time in the future, where mutants are few and far between and new mutants are unheard of lives the last few survivors. Logan works tirelessly to care for his oldest friend and mentor: Professor X with the help of pasty friend Caliban. But the secret creation of a new little of mutants leads to a new hope for the trio of almost hopeless. What would they give, what would anyone give for a new start?

Logan is almost the perfect goodbye to the most established Marvel character in the cinematic universe. It is filled with references to the old life and the dark times that they live in now but gives a shimmer of hope for what could be, in terms of upcoming films and a new direction for the Marvel cinematic universe, if they have the backbone.

Since the release of the film many people have drawn parallels to Hugh Jackman’s first appearance in X-Men when he first popped his claws. The world fell in love as he dove in adamantium first, and even now just the sound gives a narcissistic thrill down my spine. Seventeen years in the role and Jackman still has what it takes to keep Wolverine alive long enough to put him to rest. It is a powerful performance filled with anger, determination and love. I do wonder who will miss whom the most: Jackman or us?

Supporting him through this is Sir Patrick Stewart and Stephen Merchant who are both looking like they are getting on. Stewart, who plays a very sedated and vulnerable Professor X, keeps determination on the mind and provides a constant hope for both the future of mutants and the continuation of the film. Can there really be a place for mutants to live in peace as a family? Merchant, on the other hand, plays a new face who is “all-white” as a character. Unfortunately I think both the professor and Caliban suffer the writing espically later on in the film. Maybe this is deliberate as when their end was due I was more than ready to say goodbye to both of them.

New to the scene is 12 year-old Dafne Keen who gives her first major performance as Wolverine’s daughter – X-23 aka Laura. Showing off her ability to match and out stunt her on screen dad, Keen has definitely set the bar high. Although she is mostly mute through the film, she delivers an amazing performance that leaves you hanging on to her every word, or grunt. She is an onscreen natural and gives off a high expectation for the future of the MCU and for herself.

Logan is definitely one of the darkest films to come to the big screen. I think the trailers do more justice to the film and make it out to be a lot heavier than it ended up being. That doesn’t mean I did not enjoy the film, I was still entirely satisfied with the final goodbye. It has its moments of weak script writing but no film is perfect, but I would definitely go as far to say that Logan is the closest film to the Nolan trilogy we have seen from any Marvel title to this date.