Film Name:金鋼狼3：殊死一戰 / BLogan
[Warning: This article contains spoilers. Viewer discretion is advised.]
In the early hours of March 3rd, I eagerly attended the premiere. Though I was already familiar with the film’s general plot and had prepared myself mentally, the sheer weight and oppressive atmosphere of the movie still struck me deeply upon watching it. This was by no means a negative experience. On the contrary, “Wolverine 3” stands as the most profound and layered film in the entire X-Men franchise—indeed, among all Marvel Cinematic Universe releases.
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No dazzling superpowers or flashy stunts, no world-ending ambitions or burdens of saving humanity—just as the film itself feels: in the bleak, desolate wilderness, Logan’s only duty is to protect his closest kin, his only journey is to redeem his own fallen self.
The film’s tone is set from the very beginning: a drunken Logan is taunted by a gang of petty thugs. Even when he reveals his adamantium claws, they show no fear, beating him to the ground. Only after Wolverine snaps and unleashes a brutal slaughter do they flee in panic, leaving behind several corpses and a battered, limping Logan… A tiger in a lowland is bullied by dogs—it couldn’t be more fitting.
Yes, Logan was no longer the indestructible Wolverine of old. Like the dwindling mutant population in 2029, he was merely an ordinary middle-aged man, enduring daily torment and clinging to life by sheer will.
Due to genetic modifications and environmental changes, new mutants were no longer born, while the old ones were dying off or being wiped out. and now the world’s power has truly returned to ordinary humans. In their minds, “mutants” seem like an insignificant, outdated term from ancient texts. They no longer fear or revere them; when they speak of it, it’s like discussing endangered animals extinct to the modern era—filled with pity, curiosity, and utter indifference.
Under such circumstances, the lives of the few remaining mutants were predictable. Logan’s healing ability had severely deteriorated, tormented by pain and the corrosion of Adamantium. Charles, over ninety years old, suffered from “senile dementia,” confined to a sealed water tower. Ironically, possessing the most powerful mind, he would occasionally harm others and himself during episodes. Then there’s Caliban, whose powers rendered useless, spending his days as a full-time caretaker, never seeing the light of day.
The trio clung to each other for survival beyond the border, their once-envied powers now twisted into tormenting afflictions. They hid in shadows, licking their wounds, clinging only to fleeting memories of mutant pride and glory.
Mutants became hunted vermin, while humans turned into hunters.
As Laura (X-23) and other artificially created mutant children escaped, Donald led his forces in a fierce assault on Logan’s hideout. From the start, Logan had refused to get involved—his shitty life had already beaten him down, leaving him physically and mentally exhausted, and utterly drained. He had no desire to get involved in any conflict. Yet, at the nurse’s pleading, Charles’ insistence, and fate’s arrangement, Logan finally set out on a journey with this unexpected daughter who appeared out of nowhere. Thus began his final path of redemption—as Wolverine, and as a man.
Father and Son
Once a teacher, always a father.
Though Logan is the one who has lived through three centuries, Charles is far more deserving of the title “father” in every other sense. This isn’t merely because Logan was his student at the school and within the X-Men, becoming both mentor and friend. More significantly, Charles consistently guided Logan through his confusion and mistakes, setting him straight whenever he strayed. He truly deserves the title of “life mentor.”
What’s even more interesting is that during this final stretch when mutants were counting down the days, Logan took on the responsibility of caring for Charles, urging him to take his medication on time and not wander off. and even taking the old man out for road trips when necessary. Charles, for his part, constantly complained about the hardships of life, offering endless reminders and advice about what Logan should do. His incessant nagging was filled with care and affection—it would be hard to believe they weren’t father and son.
Their bond finally found completeness when Laura joined them. This wasn’t merely the surface-level formation of a three-generation family structure. Its true significance lay in this: Amidst the despair of believing their lineage would soon die out, a sudden glimmer of hope for bloodline continuity and legacy emerged. The dying man found a final burst of vitality, and as an elder, he felt compelled to set an example, to embody virtue, spreading his wings to protect the fledgling.
—Who is she? —She’s like you. Very much like you. She needs our help.
—Someone will come for her. —That person has already appeared.
—Do you think she’ll be better than me? —Actually, yes.
—This is how life should be—loving family, a home. You should take time to feel it. You still have time.
…………………
When we truly reflect on the words Charles spoke to Logan during his final journey, it becomes clear that even in his last moments, Charles never ceased guiding Logan toward his path. This was not only to protect Laura’s safety and allow her to live with hope, but also to help Logan himself. from drifting through life like a soulless shell. In the time he had left, Logan should reclaim his spirit, live with dignity, compassion, and fierceness until his final breath.
Father and Daughter
Under Charles’s earnest, persistent guidance and the relentless pressure of reality, Logan finally began to confront the girl who could also extend adamantium claws from her hands—at any other time, suddenly becoming a father wouldn’t be cause for celebration—but in this moment, Lara’s arrival became Logan’s final redemption and the most profound requiem.
To say Lara “resembles” Logan goes beyond mere genetic inheritance. This 11-year-old girl had received no formal education. At such a young age, she had to confront her bizarre body and terrifying stimuli. When threatened, she resorted solely to violence to solve problems—impulsive, bloodthirsty, cold-hearted, and closed off to outsiders. She lived daily in the shadow of constant anxiety and unease. No wonder Charles said she was so much like Logan. Laura is essentially a carbon copy of that young, reckless Wolverine from years past.
Facing his daughter, who seemed like a shadow of his former self, Logan’s heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.
Did he want to ignore it? Indeed he did. Having endured countless wars and hardships, Logan seemed destined to lose everyone who grew close to him—be it his beloved brother, the woman he cherished, or his most trusted comrades. Tragically, his “immortal” powers condemned him to a lifetime of tasting the bitter fruit of loss, with loneliness and despair forever shadowing him, never to fade. Thus, the sudden appearance of a daughter could only add another scar that would never heal.
Yet he had no choice but to care for her. Charles’s dying wish, the uncontrollable urge of blood ties deep within his heart, and the self-redemption of “living again”—saving Laura was ultimately saving Logan himself. Even as he constantly resisted this realization along the way, he unconsciously guided his daughter step by step toward a safer, brighter shore.
Times had changed. Beyond the psychological torment, Logan’s body now bore fresh wounds, bleeding relentlessly. Yet he endured it all—even injecting himself with a life-draining serum—for Laura’s sake, he spared no sacrifice.
In this moment, he became Wolverine once more. Though no longer invincible or unstoppable, his towering, imposing figure stood as a steadfast harbor of peace—a sanctuary called “father.”
Heroes may grow old, but their resolve only grows stronger with time.
This is destined to be a comic book adaptation unlike any other, as director James Mangold stated: “The film’s tone shifts significantly, feeling more like a mature drama—only the protagonist happens to be a superhero, not some popcorn action blockbuster.”
In “Wolverine 3,” mutants truly step down from their pedestal. In previous X-Men films, regardless of whether the plot was compelling or the visuals spectacular, the diverse and ever-evolving superpowers of mutants have always been a defining feature and major draw. Even when characters grappled with inner turmoil or existential questions, these elements were often restrained, never reaching the weight and depth seen here. In this film, all superpowers and stunts genuinely take a backseat, serving solely to advance the narrative. The relationships between characters, their fears and hopes, become the core driving force propelling the story forward.
This fundamental shift makes every blow and sacrifice feel visceral and heartrending. Charles’ death isn’t merely the end of a legend or the cessation of a brilliant mind—it carries the profound sorrow of losing “that eternally kind, patient mentor.”
Caliban, burdened by a troubled past, is forced by survival to once again become a villain’s lackey. Yet at the final hour, he resolutely ends his life by self-detonation to support Logan, all for the sake of the mutants’ last shred of dignity and honor;
As for Logan, his final choices spoke volumes: unwavering devotion to his daughter, the resolve to defeat X-24 as a testament to victory, and the acceptance of his true identity. Death held no terror for him—he had burned brightly long enough. Now, a new spark had been ignited, and the spirit of Wolverine would live on forever.
Though death may come, life endures.
The 1953 Western classic “Shane” stole the show in “Wolverine 3,” with one line becoming Lara’s final eulogy for Logan:
“Once you choose violence, there’s no turning back. Whether you’re good or bad, that label sticks with you for life. There’s no chance to go back. Tell your mom there won’t be any gunshots in the valley anymore.”
Right or wrong, good or bad—let posterity judge. Logan, laid to rest here, finally finds the peace and tranquility he longed for. He has no regrets, his conscience clear. The legend of Wolverine and the X-Men will be carried forward by a new generation of mutants.
A side note:
“Wolverine 3” was rated R in the U.S. Even though the mainland China release cut 14 minutes from the American version, its violence and brutality remain uncompromising.
Under the “Law on the Promotion of the Film Industry of the People’s Republic of China,” “Wolverine 3” was required to prominently display warnings at both online and offline ticketing outlets stating that elementary school students and preschool children should be accompanied by parents. This made it the first film in mainland China to require explicit distribution notices.
In this sense, “Wolverine 3” is destined to be recorded in Chinese film history. We eagerly anticipate the introduction of a more refined rating system in the future—a day we have waited far too long to see.
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