Wolverine

Directed by Gavin Hood

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Screiber, Danny Huston, Ryan Reynolds

Synopsis:

James Howlett, a mutant with bone claws and a fast regenerative ability becomes Wolverine; a killing machine with an almost indestructible metal skeleton.



Review:

The first of the major studio's tent pole Summer blockbusters ends up superficial but entertaining. A lack of experience in screenplay writing, and possible constant studio or producer interference, shows in a plot that is disjointed and carves out a movie that appears to be little more than a series of scenes put together with very little care. They seem to be scenes picked out of a hat. There is little motivation for the character's actions. Why is "Jimmy" called Logan? What drives Logan to become pacifist when it's in his nature to kill? Small examples of silly errors.

The movie begins with a shortened version of the graphic novel Origin, as a young James Howlett suffers a trauma that leads to the reveal that he has bone claws. This leads into a credit sequence where we see Logan and his half brother Victor in a series of flashbacks from various wars culminating in what looks like South America.

After killing an officer (onscreen/offscreen - it's confusing) and going through a futile execution, William Stryker offers the brothers a new role in his newly formed Team X. Logan becomes disillusioned with the killing whereas Victor revels in it. Logan's attempt to life a normal life is cut short when the love of his life is killed by Victor, and Stryker offers him the ability to take revenge; an adamantium skeleton, complete with metal laced claws.

The action sequences are satisfying and the actors do well in their 2-dimensional roles. Overall, the film appears to have been aimed at a young audience. Both the previous X-Men films and even a recent Hulk Vs Wolverine animated feature have more blood and violence than this. Given that the film is centered around a guy with knives sticking out of his fists, this is very strange.

There is a bit of humour peppered throughout the movie but some of it wasn't intentional. The Blob is a guy in a fat suit. Try watching it without thinking of a character from the Austin Powers movies.

For a big budget movie, the CGI is cheap looking. It harkens back to early 90s movies testing out the technology. Even the derided movie X-Men: The Last Stand had the look of a movie trying to be a blockbuster. The beserker rage of Wolverine running through the forest, in X3, is better than any of the clawless action in X-Men Origins.

Verdict:

Overall, this film looks as if it was made as a cynical exercise to cash in on one of the most popular comic book characters. If you want an entertaining, superficial, comic book movie, go back and watch Iron Man. If you want depth, go back and watch The Dark Knight. The filmmakers learnt nothing from either of these movies. It's a great shame because Hugh Jackman has been convincing us that he cares about this project, but buffing up and growling a lot doesn't make a good movie. Sorry Hugh.

If there is a sequel (doubtful) set in Japan, I hope that the producers take time and trouble to hire people that understand the character and it's popularity.

5/10 (Wayfarer)

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