"It is a satisfying film to fans and casual film goers alike, a rollercoaster of emotions where you will laugh and you will cry"

So as we continue into 2017, we come to the first of many live action superhero offerings in the form of James Mangold’s Logan. A film that was touted to be Hugh Jackman’s final foray as the titular character since Wolverine first graced our screens in 2000, I must say that he doesn’t disappoint. If this is indeed his last ride as Wolverine, then all I have to say is bravo and thank you.

This is quite possibly the best entry into the X-Men Universe, and I’m rather proud of Fox for not giving too much away in the fantastic marketing for the film. That said, it is likely they’ll undo that with a barrage of trailers and clips after the film is released, that may give everything away.

As film fans and casual comic book fans and comic book aficionados, we know certain things about X-23 and the Old Man Logan storyline which the film is loosely based. I am not going to spoil anything though as I believe that you’ll have a better time during the film going in with little to no knowledge.

It is a satisfying film to fans and casual film goers alike, a rollercoaster of emotions where you will laugh and you will cry. The film will make you think, and if you were wavering following the lacklustre X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009, The Wolverine in 2013 (which I personally like until the final act), the unfortunate betrayal of The Phoenix Saga in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand and the less than stellar reception of 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse, then this is the film that you have been waiting for.

It’s astonishing and not because of the 15 certificate - Mangold and his creative team have given us the Wolverine film that we have been waiting for, essentially a Western superhero film with a rough and ready grit to proceedings.

Jackman, after almost two decades as Logan/ Wolverine, is the quintessential version of the character, and Sir Patrick Stewart shows us a more vulnerable version of Charles Xavier than we have ever seen before. Both embody their roles perfectly, and playing up the father and son angle of their relationship is just tremendous. However, as great as they are, the film wouldn’t work the way it does without the stellar performance from Dafne Keen as Laura/X-23 -she is incredible, giving us a vulnerable and strong character that we follow through the film.

There is plenty more to say about Logan - the music is on point; the supporting cast is awesome; the storyline will have you gripped from start to finish and the action is so visceral. Basically it has to be seen to be believed how good this film is.

In closing, if this is the sort of X-Men film that we can expect moving forward, then they’ve cracked it. Although not necessarily needing its 15 certificate (or R-rated in America), which will unfortunately alienate some of the audience who have been with the character from the get go, it definitely bodes well for the future of the franchise that is ten films in.

There is definitely more good than bad in this thriving universe and if Mangold wants to follow this with an X-23 centric film, then he should continue in this style. The franchise is in great hands with this filmmaker at the helm.