The Wolverine (2013)

I feel that this review should start with a disclaimer: I am not a comic book aficionado. This isn't to say that I don't like them, but rather that the only graphic novels I have read are Watchmen and the occasional Spiderman when I was younger.  Therefore, I can't really comment on how the movie stacks up against the source material and judge it only as a film itself and as part of a series.  I mention this here because The Wolverine would, I think, be most enjoyed by fans of the comics.

Regardless, this edition to the X-Men canon is a considerable step up from the abysmal X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which managed to blend every action cliche with mutant-sized monotony.  The Wolverine starts off which an interesting sequence that plays with chronology (a notion that will be further explored in the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past).  When the time jumps settle down, the film finds its titular hero in what I assume to be "present day," after the events from X-Men: The Last Stand. If you're still on board, that's a good sign that you might actually enjoy the film and be able to comprehend the events and their significance.

The Wolverine introduces a number of new faces and a welcomed change in scenery, Japan.  What the film lacks is a truly formidable foe, but rather it's more about Wolverine/Logan's inner struggles and his purpose in life.  We are shown multiple dreamlike sequences in which Logan "interacts" with Jean Grey, who was supposedly killed in The Last Stand and seems to be central to his decision to go into early superhero retirement - both literally and figuratively.  As we learn from the extra credits scene, however, death is never really permanent in the X-Men / comics universe.  The film introduces the idea of Wolverine as a "ronin", a samurai without a master, which clearly defines his character.  As always, Hugh Jackman seems a natural fit for the role, and this film thankfully allows his character to have a brain (or at least moral dilemmas) to match his brawn.  Also featured are a number of nicely done action sequences.  One such scene is atop a bullet train that is as spectacular as it is preposterous, but entertaining nonetheless.  The Japanese aesthetic works for the X-Men universe, and the film steers the franchise in the right direction.  I just hope that what's up next (i.e. Days of Future Past) will blow it out of the water.

I saw the film in 3-D... take it or leave it.  Stick around for the extra credits scene.

Rating: 3.5 / 5 


Note: I don't own the rights to any of the photos on this website.  They're copied here from Google images for entertainment purposes only.