Logan

In this continuation of the X-Men saga, Logan (Hugh Jackman)—aka Wolverine—is caring for cranky, critically ill Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), along with the albino Caliban (Stephen Merchant), in a hideout at the Mexican border. It's 2029, and mutants are almost extinct. Weary Logan is a chauffeur driving a limousine—and drinking far too much—but he's still the feral mutant with massive claws and a trigger-sharp temper. A desperate Mexican nurse (Elizabeth Rodriguez) offers Logan a wad of money to take her 11-year-old, Spanish-speaking daughter Laura (Dafne Keen) to North Dakota, near the Canadian border. He's initially reluctant—until he realizes that the rebellious, claw-wielding child (who will become X-23) has psychic powers similar to his own. Logan goes into parental protective mode when Laura shows him an X-Men comic book about a place called Eden, where mutants are nurtured, not hunted—a locale she is determined to reach. But villains such as the cyborg Donald Pierce (Boyd Holbrook) and Dr. Zander Rice (Richard E. Grant) are hot on her trail. Supposedly, this 10th film in the X-Men franchise is the final installment in Wolverine's solo trilogy, which includes X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and The Wolverine (2013). Directed by James Mangold, Logan is a cathartic fantasy film that also bears trademarks of the Western genre (with cinematic references to George Stevens's archetypal Shane). Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by James Mangold, and deleted scenes (8 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are a black-and-white noir version of the film, a “making-of” documentary (76 min.), and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for the Blu-ray edition of this solid Marvel franchise entry.] (S. Granger)