When talking about Marvel's Wolverine, one cannot overlook the film Logan, released in 2017.

Personally, I believe it is one of the most human and deeply resonant films among all superhero movies made to date.

Logan is Hugh Jackman's final performance as Wolverine, a character he has portrayed for an incredible 17 years since the first X-Men film, making it a special film that concludes an era.

As a result, throughout the movie, I felt more like I was saying goodbye to an old friend than watching an action blockbuster.

The film is set in the United States in 2029. In a world where mutants have nearly disappeared, Logan is no longer the young and strong hero. His wounds do not heal as quickly as before, and his body is gradually weakening. The premise of Wolverine living as a limousine driver near the Texas-Mexico border presents a completely different atmosphere from previous Marvel films.

What makes this film particularly special is that it boldly breaks away from the conventions of traditional superhero movies.

There are no massive cosmic wars or villains trying to destroy the world.

Instead, it centers around much more realistic and human themes such as aging, loss, responsibility, family, and sacrifice.

While superhero movies often leave viewers with a sense of exhilaration and excitement, Logan lingers with a sense of emptiness and reflection long after watching.

The box office performance was also remarkable. Made with a production budget of $97 million, Logan grossed approximately $619.2 million worldwide.

It is a successful film that recorded more than six times its production cost. Even more surprising is that this film was rated R. Despite the limitations on audience age due to the rating, it achieved tremendous box office success.

As you watch the film, the desolate and lonely atmosphere is strongly felt, with the vast landscapes of Texas serving as the backdrop. Director James Mangold actively utilized the rugged and arid natural environment of Texas instead of a CGI-filled futuristic city.

The wastelands and plains of the Dallas-Fort Worth outskirts and North Texas played a significant role in depicting the desolate future of the southern United States in 2029. The endless roads and desolate landscapes symbolically represent Logan's loneliness and the end of his life.

Therefore, I consider Logan to be more of a modern Western than a superhero film. In fact, the influence of the classic Western film Shane can be seen throughout the movie.

The story structure of an aging gunslinger completing his final mission and sacrificing for the next generation also follows the typical grammar of Westerns. It is more impressive that it is a story about tidying up one's life and leaving hope for future generations rather than a heroic tale of saving the world.

Action is also an essential point of interest. For the first time, Wolverine's true nature is fully revealed, which had been restrained due to the PG-13 rating. Every time the adamantium claws are swung, brutal and desperate battles unfold, vividly conveying how broken and desperate Logan is. Above all, what stands out the most is the performances of Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart.

The relationship between the aging and weary Wolverine and the memory-losing Professor X is the most touching part of the film. The way these two once-powerful mutants rely on each other conveys emotions far stronger than flashy superpowers.

And the final scene of the film is still regarded by many movie fans as one of the best endings in superhero film history.

Personally, I believe Logan is not just Wolverine's last film, but a work that beautifully and sadly illustrates the fact that "heroes also age and eventually exit." Even those who are not particularly interested in superhero films will find satisfaction in watching it as an excellent drama and modern Western.

For fans who have been with Wolverine for 17 years, it was an emotional farewell, and for movie fans, it remains an unforgettable masterpiece.