On Friday. March 3, director James Mangold’s film, “Logan,” was given its world-wide release. “Logan” is the latest entry in the “X-Men” film series, which is based off the comic books of the same name. This movie is a sequel to Mangold’s film, “The Wolverine,” released in 2013. It focuses on an aged and much more mature Wolverine (Logan) in 2029 who is trying to live a life of solitude as a limousine driver. Strange events occur that involve a mysterious young girl, which in turn causes him to leap back into action as Wolverine.

“Logan” introduces a new and very different experience from past X-Men films. For starters, it’s the first X-Men film to be given an “R” rating by the Motion Picture Association of America, and it marks the last time that Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart will be in an X-Men film as Wolverine and Professor Charles Xavier, respectively.

Both actors have played those characters since the first X-Men film which was released back in 2000. During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Jackman explained why he isn’t returning as Wolverine. “This will be my last one. It just felt like it was the right time to do it.” Patrick Stewart was also a guest on the show and expressed his feelings about why he didn’t want to return to the series either. “I realized there will never be a better, a more perfect, a more sensitive, and beautiful way of saying au revoir to Charles Xavier than this movie,” Stewart claimed.

The film itself is an emotional roller-coaster ride that takes not only the characters, but the audience through themes of depression, redemption, and agony in its two-hour running time.

Hugh Jackman steals the show thanks to his honest, stellar, and sometimes unsettling performance as the title character. Jackman is in the front of that roller-coaster ride and shows the audience how true anger and pain have affected the character over time. At the same time, Jackman also juxtaposes his character’s feelings of self-hatred and guilt with some humor and compassion thanks to his sarcastic and cynical quips while also showing he can be very selfless.

Patrick Stewart is a great foil as Professor Charles Xavier to Jackman’s Logan. Stewart’s performance also sees him as a guilt-torn and hurting individual, but unlike Logan, Charles shows that he still has hope for both him and his old student and friend. Stewart also plays the emotional and more accessible character of the two, which gives the audience a chance to really catch their breath after seeing how aloof and pessimistic Logan can be sometimes.

Dafne Keen, who is in her first movie role, also gives a solid performance as Laura. The mystery of this character is accentuated by Keen’s silent acting through most of the film. Her role also seems to be a mix of both Logan and Charles as she shows that she can be just as ruthless and unforgiving as Wolverine, but also that she is capable of loving life as it comes, as well as help those in need.

Don’t be surprised if Logan generates some oOscar buzz during awards season later this year. Logan is just simply a downright good film and people of all ages should enjoy it.