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A couple weeks ago I may have had to stretch to fit Subnautica into the scope of this blog, but Logan needs no such finagling. This movie is unapologetically, unequivocally an apocalyptic Western in the guise of a superhero film. Shane (which has its own entry in my archives) is blatantly referenced and quoted, but the ashen grit of Unforgiven is here as well, as the aged warrior faces his mortality and the thought that he might well be the best there is at what he does — but if that happens to be killing folks, what kind of legacy does he leave behind?
Logan differs from these films in literally offering its title character a legacy opportunity in the form of a young girl named Laura, who (I suppose spoilers) has a crucial difference from the young boy in Shane or the Schofield Kid… she’s already a killer, and quite a competent one. The only thing that remains to be molded, perhaps, is what sort of killer she’s going to be. Throw in a dangerously senile (but occasionally still all-too-lucid) father/grandfather figure in the form of a Professor X suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and the ensuing journey across a dystopian near future America takes on meaning at once epic and personal, in the best mold of the Greek tragedies Aristotle might have experienced.
But it’s undeniably got that Western feel, which makes the taciturn silence of Laura for much of the film not feel out of place. Actress Dafne Keen has a magnetism to her that eludes many adult actors, able to tell stories with her eyes alone, and Logan is a movie that can sustain those moments of quietude punctuated by howling, bloody action.
Logan, above all else, is catharsis. It is not, I think, relentlessly dark, but any hopeful message at the end is up to intepretation. The poster above should serve as all the warning needed — not only is this the sunset for our hero, but he has turned away from it — as if rejecting even the notion that he should be allowed the traditional ride into its embrace.
It’s not a movie where you applaud when the credits roll — but if your experience is anything like mine, you’ll still feel like you got your money’s worth.
Suzie hearkening back to the last time Eustace was faked out. She probably regrets not being able to sneak the Lawn Ranger into the bedcovers to be the victim of the stabbing.
And with that, it's Episode 23 time! Welcome back to the Ranch, everyone!
10 thoughts on “540 – Trick Hello”
Scarsdale
Called it, she figured he’d do this, if by choice or by zombie voodoo. I’m sure the “friendlier” questioning will start soon, if she doesn’t just kill him out-right. Or just add him to the herd.
Crazyman
Gotcha!
Zombatar
This turn of events is a surprise only to Eustace. And, maybe, Eustace’s subconscious. After all, this way he doesn’t have to actually risk actually attacking Suzie, which gives him a greater chance of survival than actually attacking her. I wonder what he was promised/threatened with?
ConcordBob
Not to nit-pick, but since sights are on target, finger should be on the trigger. Especially this close.
The usual rule is “keep finger straight and off trigger until sights are on target”.
Dr. Norman (not a real doctor)
Not to nit-pick, but since that was current philosophies regarding trigger discipline have evolved.
Of course, it will depend on who you get/got your training from.
Experiments have determined that the fraction of a second to go from finger off the trigger to finger firing when appropriate is insignificant, and the risk of firing unintended is greatly reduced.
Dr. Norman (not a real doctor)
I did the google thing and I believe I saw how you reached this conclusion … but there are two parts to it – One should not omit the second part.
“Trigger Finger Discipline: · The practice of keeping your finger “off the trigger” until your sights are on target AND YOU ARE READY TO DISCHARGE THE FIREARM.” (Caps are my own)
Crazyman
She wants him alive so she can question him; otherwise, he’d already be dead.
ConcordBob
Good discussion on trigger discipline!
His skin is very pale / gray. Is this malnourishment, or has he been poisoned with a mind-control drug? I would have to go back and look a t all various of skin tone.
TKG
On a prior page we discussed what he’s likely got running in his system. I suggested that it’s probably Borrochero (Brugmansia arbora) which is already used by Colombian cartels to eradicate the free will of their victims.
Dr. Norman (not a real doctor)
Now can we satisfy my curiosity? Colt, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, or other timeline variant?