Logan - Blu-ray Review

[Michael Scott]

Logan

Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score: ​

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Movie
Hugh Jackman has been playing wolverine for over 15 years, and while he was not originally my first choice for the roll of the 5 foot something Canadian superhero, he absorbed himself so thoroughly into the roll that he has become one of the most iconic film presentations to date. There have been some good X-men films with the beast, and there have been some bad ones (really bad ones too), including several solo films (I’m sorry, I have to actually say out loud that X-Men Origins: Wolverine actually exists. Something I refuse to tell myself normally) over the last few years. However, Jackman really wanted out of the roll and there is no other way to let the character go out than with a complete and utter bang as in Logan. An R-rated, bloody, head slicing, adult language filled extravaganza that takes elements of the alternate reality comic Old Man Logan and creates something unique and wonderful.

The X-Men universe has NEVER been really good at timelines, but Logan is most likely an alternate future as it bears very little resemblance to the happy future that we left them in at the end of Days of Future Past. The year is 2029 and Logan (Hugh Jackman) is having a hard time with life. The X-men are long gone and mutants have pretty much been bred out of existence (they make a statement that no new mutants have been born in 25 years). His famous healing ability is slowing down (most likely due to adamantium poisoning) and he’s drinking himself into an early grave, even more so than usual. He’s ticked off, hiding out near the border to Mexico where he makes money running a limo around town for spoiled customers. Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) is going through the middle of dementia and for a mutant with incredible psychic abilities that means he needs constant care before he rips people’s minds apart. Taking care of Charles is a full-time job and Logan is barely hanging on until a young Hispanic woman drops off a young girl for him to take up to South Dakota.

Refusing to do the job at first, Logan reluctantly agrees to take on the little girl Laura (Dafne Keen), only to have all hell rain down on him. It seems that Laura is more than meets the eye, and is in fact a test tube mutant that has been created with Logan’s own DNA. A mutant that has his animalistic tendencies and adamantium “additions” as well. Not willing to let her fall into the hands of the men chasing her, Logan, Charles and Laura set out to South Dakota where there is a chance that she and her mutant brethren that were created can get across the border into safety.

Logan is not just a really good X-Men movie, it’s a really good movie in general. Mangold (who’s known for directing such things as Walk the Line, 3:10 to Yuma and 2013’s The Wolverine) crafts an incredible film that takes the character full circle to a bittersweet ending for our beloved superhero. Ironically, I have to chuckle at reviewing Unforgiven the other day, as Logan is mirror copy of that famous film. Logan delves into the same ideas of a worn out old man who’s going for one last ride in a world that is no longer familiar to him. The very obvious comparisons to other western’s is pretty blatant with a twangy score that feels very reminiscent of those old westerns, as well as Shane playing in the background allows for the viewer to feel like this is not your typical superhero film. Logan is a rundown old man who’s powers are slowly leaving him, and he has one last chance to make a difference in this world before he meets his maker.

The typical superhero elements are still there as Laura and Logan shred their way through bad guy after bad guy, but the film is much more introspective than any that have come before in the series. Mangold got a lot of flak for the ending of The Wolverine, but he redeems himself here in spades as he makes us delve into the love of family and friendship without making it cloying and sicky sweet. That doesn’t mean he gave up on action, quite the contrary. Logan is a bloody mess of a film that takes the idea of a man who has knives coming out of his hands to the logical extreme. While we saw the titular character slash and hack his way through baddies before, it’s NOTHING like what we are witness to here, which almost borders on slasher level of blood and guts. There is a slight element of feeling disconnected from the rest of the X-Men universe, and that comes from the story being based off the comic series Old Man Logan which was an alternate universe story to begin with. However, even though it’s an oddity in that regards, it works as an homage and loving sign of respect to Jackman’s character arc that we’ve seen grow since 2002. It may not be the ending we all wanted for him, but it was the ending the character needed.




Rating:

Rated R for strong brutal violence and language throughout, and for brief nudity




Video:

The regular theatrical colorized version of Logan looks incredibly lifelike and vibrant. Even though it was shot using the Arri Alexa cameras, it has a very organic and “filmic” look to it thanks to Mangold’s meticulous color grading and use of filters. Most of the movie has a very run down, old west, earthy look to it, with heavy doses of browns and golden shades of dirt dominating the color spectrum. Whites can sometimes look a bit blooming (on purpose), but there are also several scenes in the movie that takes on a much more natural look, such as the little stayover at the farmhouse with the green of the corn crop, or the wilds of South Dakota forests. Facial details tend to be excellent, with the rough and craggy look of old man Logan coming through amazingly well. Some of the scars and wounds he gets along the way tend to stand out a bit with such clarity, and they look a tad fake, but that’s the price you pay for sharpness and clarity. Mangold uses some wide-angle shots from above that tend to be soft, but most of the movie is incredibly sharp, and the mild softness employed his filming techniques only make the film look less digital and more like, well, film.

Also included in the Blu-ray set is a 2nd disc with the Black and White “film noir” version of the movie, and like it states, it’s a black and white rendition. All color has been drained and Logan looks very much like and old back and white western in this look. I really liked the Black and Chrome edition of Mad Max: Fury Road, but I have to say I was a little bit disappointed with the Film Noir version of Logan. It didn’t seem to add anything to the experience as was the case with Fury Road. The black and white coloring looks magnificent, with all the dustiness and bleakness of the movie looking resplendent without color, but there is a few issues with black crush being that the movie is almost a bit TOO dark here. It’s a nice addition for the fans, and looks great, but I PERSONALLY (I’ve heard many testimonials by people who have loved it) didn’t get a whole lot out of it.






Audio:

Like most movies that Fox puts out, the Blu-ray contains the 7.1 DTS-HD MA track, while the 4K UHD discs gets the Atmos experience. The 7.1 mix employed for the film is simply fantastic, adding a layer of immersion and depth that is just startling. The twangy “old west” score flows effortlessly through all 8 channels, and the crispness of the track is incredibly refreshing. Vocals are centered right up front and have an authority that makes each voice sound commanding and powerful. Surrounds get a lot activity with the tons of action sequences, with the crackling of electricity or the tearing of Wolverine’s claws through metal shriek from all directions. The front soundstage is WILDLY kinetic, with bullets bouncing all around, car engines roaring across train tracks and the like. LFE is deep and throbbing, adding power and authority to the gunshots as well as pounding away whenever the movie gets intense in general. While the normal action movie bits are the most obvious, the surrounds also get a good amount of work from the simple things too. The whine of a powered drone flying overhead, or the chirp of crickets in the background. Everything is masterfully blended together to create a sonic experience that just sucks you in.
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Extras:

• Logan Noir – black and white version of the film
• Audio commentary by Director James Mangold
• Deleted scenes with optional audio commentary by James Mangold (Blu-ray only)
• Making Logan – behind-the-scenes documentary (Blu-ray only)

Final Score: ​

Logan is one of the most different feeling films of the X-Men franchise, but it is EASILY the most mature and nuanced film of the series. Even though it may not technically fall in line with the main series timeline (it’s more of an alternate ending type of situation) it ties directly in to the main Wolverine story arc and completes Hugh Jackman’s legendary 15 year stint at playing one of the series most beloved characters. I can’t stress enough that the standalone AND connected nature of Logan to the rest of the franchise makes for some absolutely incredible storytelling. A word of warning for parents who’ve let young children watch the X-Men series in the past. Logan is most DEFINITELY an R-rated film and it earns that rating with every blood and language soaked second (something fans of the original character have been begging for, for the better part of a decade). The Blu-ray comes with both the regular theatrical edition, as well as a second disc with James Mangold’s black and white “Film Noir” edition of the movie as well, both of which look and sound incredible on Blu-ray. Definitely a must buy.



Technical Specifications:

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Dafne Keen, Patrick Stewart
Directed by: James Mangold
Written by: James Mangold, Scott Frank
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 AVC
Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 7.1, Spanish, French DD 5.1, English DVS
Studio: Fox
Rated: R
Runtime: 131 Minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: May 23rd, 2017

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• Michael Scott
• May 11, 2017

Recommendation: Must Buy

 

[Jack]

Great Review Mike, I will order this today!!

 

[JBrax]

Good work as usual on the review Mike. I'll be picking up the 4K version for sure.

 

[Todd Anderson]

So Mike, for a viewer that doesn't necessarily love superhero movies (but really loved Deadpool and the Guardians series), is this a must watch?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Just wanted to point out... congrats to Mike on getting this review up BEFORE the competition. Michael Scott is one of the best in the business!

 

[Michael Scott]

So Mike, for a viewer that doesn't necessarily love superhero movies (but really loved Deadpool and the Guardians series), is this a must watch?

I would think so. It doesn't feel as much of a superhero story by normal standards. I think you'll like it Todd

 

[Todd Anderson]

Ordered!

 

[JBrax]

Any plans on reviewing the 4K version?

 

[JBrax]

Ordered!

The UHD version I'm assuming?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Bummer on the Blu-ray only coming with 7.1 sound... I'm sure the industry is going to push Atmos exclusively to 4K at this point.

 

[Todd Anderson]

The UHD version I'm assuming?

Yup!

 

[JBrax]

Just making sure you knew it was released in 4K. I'm sure you check that though.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I did -- it's the first thing I search for these days.

Uh... hello... RedBox... how about some 4K distribution!!

 

[JBrax]

Do you have Family Video's in your area? They've been getting 4K copies for awhile now. Demand must still be low or people just don't know because it seems there always available.

 

[Todd Anderson]

There are zero rental stores left in our Metro area... they've all disappeared.

 

[JBrax]

I'm sure it's just a matter of time here as well. Our Family Video continues to thrive and is always busy.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I don't think we've had a rental store since 2013... it seems like ages ago!

 

[Michael Scott]

Just making sure you knew it was released in 4K. I'm sure you check that though.

the 4K review is forth coming... Probably in the next 48 hours

oh, and Todd. Just a heads up. in terms of being an R-rated movie, this makes Deadpool look like PG film almost. it's DARK and BRUTAL... Not Dredd level, but REALLY close

 

[Michael Scott]

Bummer on the Blu-ray only coming with 7.1 sound... I'm sure the industry is going to push Atmos exclusively to 4K at this point.

Fox and Sony both do this. It drives me nuts. Luckily Lionsgate and Warner have been including the Atmos track with both Blu and 4K....which is REALLY making me salivate for John Wick 2.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Now I'm curious.

I haven't watched Dredd in a number of years, although I have it on hand for sub material.

Perhaps the wife and kids will want to sit this one out

 

[Todd Anderson]

Fox and Sony both do this. It drives me nuts. Luckily Lionsgate and Warner have been including the Atmos track with both Blu and 4K....which is REALLY making me salivate for John Wick 2.

I have a pre-order in for Wick 2. Can't wait!

 

[Michael Scott]

Now I'm curious.

I haven't watched Dredd in a number of years, although I have it on hand for sub material.

Perhaps the wife and kids will want to sit this one out

I'm not going to say it's a bucket of blood. But it's full on R-rated language and the fighting is BRUTAL... arms legs, severed heads, you get the picture. I'm not trying to dissuade people from watching, my rating alone says no on that assumption, I'm just making sure families with little kids who like X-men don't go in unprepared. It's the first REALLY adult X-Men film of the entire franchise. Kinda like how when I went into The Watchmen on opening night there were parents with 8 year olds ALL over lol

 

[Todd Anderson]

Good heads-up. Although, both of my daughters would voluntarily up and leave at the first sign of real violence. They aren't fans...

 

[Michael Scott]

Good heads-up. Although, both of my daughters would voluntarily up and leave at the first sign of real violence. They aren't fans...

lol, I've got a stopwatch as that pretty much starts about 30-40 seconds into the film

 

[Todd Anderson]

All of a sudden, I REALLY want to watch this flick!