The Western might be the quintessential American genre.
But times have changed.
The one solid definition of good and evil has weakened.
And the themes have become much more complicated.
The Western has evolved.
Today we're going to look at this evolution.
The so-called Neo-Western.
And one of the best
is "Logan".
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Genres are defined by expectations.
"- You've got one chance get out of this alive."
Think of the Western.
What do you see?
Landscapes like this?
Outlaws and lawman?
"- Can't read the sign, Tannen.
I presume you can read this."
And the old-fashioned showdown.
These genre expectations are best consolidated
into three categories.
Character, setting, and theme.
"Logan" ounces all of the above.
Let's see how it stacks
as a perfect example the Neo-Western.
"- He's friend of mine.
- A friend with a big mouth.
- I hear that a lot.
- Then you probably hear this, too."
Character.
"- More than I'd like."
The Western is a genre of archetypes.
Concepts like good and evil
are clearly defined and understood.
It's the job of the good guys
to bring law and order to the untamed west.
Protagonist that have to resort the frontier justice.
Or protagonist forced to answer calls to action
despite their pacifism or indifference.
But Neo-Westerns flip this.
Protagonist's are often displaced.
Finding themselves in a world
that clashes with their views on morality and justice.
"- Loretta tells me you're quittin'. How come you doing that?
- I don't know.
I feel overmatched."
Logan is a haunted loner.
Prone to violence,
adverse to change and self-serving.
"- Logan, we mustn't forget about Laura.
- She's not our problem."
He's resistant to anything resembling nobility
or traditional heroism.
And his healing ability prevents normal aging
so you can't be claimed by anyone time period.
His displacement is permanent.
♪ ♪
Next - Setting.
The Western is a genre named after
and thus defined by its location.
♪ ♪
But setting is more than just location.
It also includes a time period.
The setting of a Neo-Western is similar,
but the time period is closer to modern-day.
And so it's a story from modern times.
Looking at the setting
the film forges its narrative
through practically all of the iconic Western backdrops.
Beginning in the barren desert
near the Mexican border.
Traveling through the prairies of the Midwest.
And eventually arriving in the lush forests of North Dakota.
Early in the film
a talk radio host establishes the year as 2029.
"- It's 2029.
- Why are we still talking about mutants?"
Since setting comprises time as well as location,
the film's near-future context
helps to further displace and alienate Logan.
The Western iconography clashes with the near-future technology constantly.
Here we see self-driving trucks
threatened to mow down a team of horses.
"- We should help them.
- No, we have to keep going. Someone will come along.
Someone has come along."
The end effect.
This Neo-Western hits closer to home.
♪ ♪
Which leads us to Themes.
Traditional Westerns often examine the march of the frontier
towards civilization.
But the themes of the Neo-Western
are often connected to displacement.
It could be a displaced hero or traditional values
in a post-western environment.
"Logan" is about a man who has been unable to reconcile his place in the world.
The Western theme of character being out of time
is definitely present.
And nearing the end of their life or relevance
is unmistakable in "Logan".
"- That was my favorite mug.
- Stay out of my shit.
- Something's happening to you, Logan.
On the inside you're sick. I can smell it."
Which brings us to one of its biggest themes
Mortality.
He is quintessentially out of time
because his immortality transcends it.
Every setting is strange
because time is irrelevant to Logan.
♪ ♪
So when it comes to the Neo-Western sub-genre,
remember it's building blocks.
At least one of the characters
will reveal themselves as a classic Western archetype.
"- Hey, uh, you need a hand?
- Ready? Go!"
But out of step with their world.
Their displacement will be made more obvious
because of their relationship to the setting.
Which may resemble the traditional Western,
but will often have a modern twist.
And tie to themes about clashing values.
"- What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss?"
Lawlessness.
Mortality.
And existentialism.
"- What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss?"
If you're going to tackle a genre movie,
there are a number of elements you'll need to keep track of.
Tag, props, and costumes in your breakdown.
Create a mood board to collect location ideas.
"- Heads in.
- Well done."
Then sent notes for your department heads.
And that's where StudioBinder comes in.
"- Don't put it in your pocket. - Sir?
- Don't put it in your pocket. It's your lucky quarter."
What are your favorite Neo-Westerns?
Are there outliers exceptions
or whatabouts that you can think of?
"- Last ride.
You're welcome."
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Until we meet again.
Happy trails, mutants.