Logan Film Review

In a world where mutants are hunted, *Logan* (2017) offers a gripping, emotional journey with Wolverine. Director James Mangold brings a unique take on the *X-Men* franchise, focusing on character development and storytelling.

Introduction to Logan

The film Logan is set in a dystopian future where mutants are nearly extinct. The story revolves around Logan, aka Wolverine, who is taking care of an ailing Professor X. Logan's life changes when a young mutant girl named X-23 arrives, pursued by dark forces.

Themes and Performances

The movie explores themes of family, legacy, and what it means to be human. The performances by Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart are outstanding, bringing depth to their characters. The direction by James Mangold is also noteworthy, as he balances action and drama perfectly.

Conclusion

Overall, Logan is a great film that is worth watching for its engaging storyline and strong performances. One specific reason it's great for English learners is that it exposes them to various accents and dialects, such as the southern American accent of the villains and the Mexican accent of the people Logan and X-23 meet on their journey.

6 hidden details

Hugh Jackman's Last

Hugh Jackman announced that *Logan* would be his last film as Wolverine. He had played the character for 17 years, starting with the first *X-Men* film in 2000. Jackman's performance in *Logan* was widely praised by critics and audiences alike.

Patrick Stewart's

Patrick Stewart, who plays Professor X, had to undergo a significant transformation to play the character in *Logan*. He had to lose a lot of weight and learn how to use a wheelchair, as his character is suffering from a debilitating illness in the film.

Dafne Keen's

Dafne Keen, who plays X-23, had to undergo intense physical training to prepare for the role. She had to learn how to fight and perform complex stunts, and she also had to learn how to speak with a Mexican accent.

James Mangold's

James Mangold, the director of *Logan*, wanted to create a film that was different from other superhero movies. He wanted to focus on the characters and their relationships, rather than just on action and special effects.

Filming Locations

The film was shot in various locations, including New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. The production team chose these locations because they wanted to create a sense of realism and authenticity, and they also wanted to showcase the beauty of the American Southwest.

Box Office Success

Despite being a more serious and somber film than other superhero movies, *Logan* was a major box office success. It grossed over $616 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2017.

The Takeaway

The takeaway from Logan is that family is not just about blood relations, but about the people you care for and who care for you. For English learners, it's a great film to watch with subtitles, especially the scene where Logan and X-23 are in the casino, as it exposes learners to different vocabulary and accents in a real-life setting. This scene is particularly useful for learners to practice their listening skills and get a feel for how English is used in various situations.

Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.

Vocabulary, idioms, cultural context, and one scene broken down for shadowing practice.

Vocabulary (16)

dystopian

early

relating to a very bad or frightening future

"The film is set in a dystopian future where mutants are nearly extinct."

pursued

middle

chased or followed

"The young mutant girl is pursued by dark forces."

legacy

middle

something that is left or handed down to future generations

"Logan is trying to come to terms with his legacy as a mutant."

hideout

early

a secret place where someone can hide

"Logan and Professor X are living in a hideout on the Mexican border."

weary

early

feeling tired or exhausted

"Logan is a weary mutant who is tired of fighting."

ailing

early

suffering from an illness or disease

"Professor X is ailing and needs Logan's care."

outnumbered

late

having fewer people or things than the other side

"Logan and X-23 are outnumbered by the villains."

vulnerable

middle

weak or easily hurt

"Logan is vulnerable to attack because of his weakened healing factor."

debilitating

middle

causing someone to become weak or disabled

"Professor X's illness is debilitating and affects his ability to control his powers."

transformation

middle

a complete change in appearance or character

"Patrick Stewart underwent a significant transformation to play Professor X in *Logan*."

authenticity

late

the quality of being genuine or real

"The production team wanted to create a sense of authenticity in the film by using real locations."

somber

late

serious and solemn

"The film has a somber tone, which sets it apart from other superhero movies."

realism

middle

the quality of being realistic or true to life

"The film's focus on character development and relationships adds to its realism."

intense

middle

strong or extreme

"Dafne Keen had to undergo intense physical training to prepare for the role of X-23."

complex

middle

difficult to understand or deal with

"The film's storyline is complex and involves many different characters and plot twists."

stunts

late

actions or performances that are exciting or impressive

"The film features many exciting stunts, including fight scenes and car chases."

Idioms & Expressions

come to terms with

to accept or deal with something

Logan is trying to come to terms with his legacy as a mutant.

left behind

to leave someone or something in a place

Logan and X-23 are left behind by the villains.

take care of

to look after or protect someone

Logan is taking care of Professor X.

get a feel for

to understand or become familiar with something

Learners can get a feel for how English is used in various situations by watching the film with subtitles.

set apart

to make something different or unique

The film's somber tone sets it apart from other superhero movies.

Cultural References

Mexican culture

The film features many references to Mexican culture, including music, food, and traditions. Learners can learn about the importance of family and community in Mexican culture by watching the film.

American Southwest

The film was shot in various locations in the American Southwest, including New Mexico and Texas. Learners can learn about the geography and climate of this region by watching the film.

superhero genre

The film is part of the superhero genre, which is a popular type of film in the United States. Learners can learn about the conventions of this genre and how *Logan* subverts or challenges them.

comic book origins

The film is based on comic book characters and storylines. Learners can learn about the origins of these characters and how they have been adapted into film.

Scene Breakdown for Shadowing

around 00:42:00

Logan: 'We're not going to make it.'
X-23: 'Yes, we will.'
Logan: 'You don't understand. We're outnumbered.'
X-23: 'I understand. We have to keep moving.'

This scene is powerful for learners because it showcases the relationship between Logan and X-23. The dialogue is simple and easy to follow, making it a great scene for learners to practice their listening skills. The vocabulary used is also useful for learners, including words like 'outnumbered' and 'keep moving'. Learners can practice shadowing the dialogue in this scene to improve their pronunciation and intonation.

Logan

Introduction to Logan

Themes and Performances

Conclusion

6 hidden details

Hugh Jackman's Last

Patrick Stewart's

Dafne Keen's

James Mangold's

Filming Locations

Box Office Success

The Takeaway

Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.

Vocabulary (16)

Idioms & Expressions

Cultural References

Scene Breakdown for Shadowing

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