Allegedly, this is said to be the best emotional superhero movie that US X-men comics fans have been wanting on the big screen. I never was a big fan of X-men, and I only saw the movies as a summer action flick with fantastical beings. This movie is more gritty and character-driven story compared to the usual action-packed nonsense. (My fav wolverine movie is the The Wolverine by the same director of this movie, James Mangold) This dystopian movie is loosely based on the X-men comic: Wolverine, Old Man Logan. Almost all natural X-men in the US have died without leaving offspring due to chemicals in the corn food products and water supply. TransigenCo., a private military research corporation/organisation was behind it so that they could have a monopoly on mutants in order to sell weaponize artificially-created ones. And just like that all the super-powerful X-men are all gone and have been forgotten. *SPOILERS Logan is trying to earn enough cash as a limousine driver to take care of aged Professor Charles Francis Xavier. His healing powers has become severely reduced, allowing the artificially-enhanced adamantium metal in his body to poison him from the inside. He has finally become a staggering, weathered, old man with shaky hands. Professor X is kept sedated (by Logan) because he has dementia (and during one of his episodic seizures he may have killed the X-men in his School of the Gifted in Winchester NY, which is why the government has declared his mind to we a weapon of mass destruction). I think, Professor X symbolises the power of the US laws/moral-guide which has been hijacked to be used against the weaker sections in the society. Time can make the strongest and wisest of us to come undone. Laura (X-23) was artificially procreated using Logan's DNA in a secret lab in Mexico so that she can be used as a weapon. So, Laura is Logan's daughter, and she is a Mexican immigrant but she is also a runaway slave (corporation owned her like a commodity). Statue of Liberty (which was referred to in the movie) has long been associate with immigrants who have come to the US seeking new beginnings. Politically, X-men has always symbolised the "other", the outsiders, whether immigrants (or LGBTQ community) and anyone prejudiced etc. So, the movie could be a commentary about the currently the heartland or the red-belt (rusted old industrial areas) in the US who are supporting bigoted rhetoric and policies made by White nationalists. In its core, its a movie about father-child and redemption of a someone who was himself tortured into weapon-x. Laura, the immigrant daughter who symbolises the future and Logan symbolises the old US economic powerhouse. Logan has fought in too many wars (started in WW1) and he has lost the very things he fought for in his life. Without his regenerative powers, the indestructible adamantium in his body is he very thing killing him. It could mean that US's values are not safe inside the US as its economy deteriorates; and the state identifies minority groups as the ones who are to be blamed them for everything. The US values are opposite when the nation starts dehumanisation others and stripping them of their basic freedoms. Logan may not like being in the X-men community but he does long peace and for a family. He is filled with the grief because of having lost everyone he cared for and is left with wounds from which he cannot heal. That is symbolized by the deep scares he carries from the fights because he is not healing fully anymore. Professor X reminds Logan to stop blaming everyone else for his unhappiness and shows him "what life looks like." The main antagonist is Logan himself (mute animal-side), a clone at his prime but devoid of humanity or love. Logan carries the burden of his violent actions but his clone is a soul-less weapon that kills man, women and child. If US doesn't heal itself and loses the values for which countless have died for then all the prosperity in the world will not bring happiness. The story is asking the audience to become self-conscious and self-reflect on the direction of the nation. The movie felt well-made and satisfactory but not cathartic because this movies shows a sad and an unforgiving world with very little hope. In the end, all the righteous killings, in the name of love and survival, takes its toll on Logan. He loses his fight with the real enemy, his merciless killer face of Logan. Its ironic if this is superhero movie that is telling its audience that its time to grow up. Taking another person's life is not heroic in real life. Like Professor X keeps urging Logan, the movie is also urging its audience to face the problems in the country even if they don't want to or feel that its not affecting them. US may no longer be the land of the free, as corporation weld more rights than human beings. Take a moment to concentrate on being mindful and self-aware. We still have the time to do so. The only positive thing about this world was (I believe) a vague annotation that there maybe hope for a future better society if enough of us believe that to be the case. In the movie, Laura (X-23), the angry young mutant, is wearing a T-shirt with a rainbow on it; symbolising the promise of a better future that she holds. The movie is rated R ‘for mature audiences’. Cinematography is by John Mathieson "if this truly is Jackman's last run as Logan, then it's a worthy swansong that allows him to go out on a high." It's ironic that its Jackman 10th and final go at the career-defining role that made him a star.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI am interested in unfolding scene design, character design and image design; representing contemporary narrative strategy, narrative shot and narrative style. The flowing images, which combine aesthetics and ideology. NoticeThis site contains copyrighted material for purposes that constitutes 'fair use'; and has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. No fee is charged, and no money is made off this site. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
Archives
February 2024
Categories |