Alex Spencer

(Put that on the poster, @20thCenturyFox)

People have talked about how standalone Logan feels, but I thought the references were actually where a lot of the film's pathos came from.

Because they reminded you of these characters' long pasts, and cued memories that might have been in your head for 17 years.

So they feel like lives that have been lived alongside your own, making the threat of their impending end a bit more real.

My suspicion was that, without this trick, it might not have much emotional resonance but @whmullally testifies to the contrary.

(For the record: I didn't cry during the film, but did feel bad about the ageing and disintegration of myself and the people I care about.)

I've got a half-baked theory about Logan being the latest installment in 'Superhero Films About The Process of Making Superhero Films'.

It's going to stay half-baked, because I've missed Hot Take Season, and also because I don't think I want to rewatch that film.