X-Men Origins : Wolverine

Review by Sean Lynch

Being an X-Men comic book and cartoon nerd from a long way back, there was something about the Bryan Singer X-Men films that never quite worked for me.

Sure, Singer essentially reinvented a film genre by giving two dimensional comic characters on screen depth and darkness (let's face it, without him films like Iron Man  or The Dark Knight would never have been given the green light) but I always left the cinema excited but ultimately underwhelmed by his efforts.

Perhaps it was because he just didn't ever seem to do enough with the fun mutant powers at his disposal.

That said, X-Men : The Last Stand got lost in a wave of unnecessary effects and mutant characters.

So where does a fan boy draw the line - when are we ever going to be satisfied?

The beauty of introducing an X-Men Origins series into the Cinematic stratosphere is simple : it's whole purpose is to offer character driven, over explained and detailed action films - as well as making way for cameos along the way.

It also means the films have a sole and constant focus on one character, instead of trying to juggle several "big names" and getting lost in trying to please everyone.

So in that regard, the first effort in Fox's proposed franchise - Wolverine - is a resounding success.

Hugh Jackman reprises the role that made him a superstar as the fierce fighting machine who possesses amazing healing powers, those ever-so-shiny retractable claws and a blistering primal fury.

A prequel to the events of Singer's X-Men series, X-Men Origins : Wolverine tells the story of Logan / Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed (who goes onto become "Sabretooth" in X-Men), and the ominous Government run "Weapon X" program.

Along the way, Wolverine encounters a plethora of mutants, both familiar and new (including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe).

In fact, it's the introduction of a new crew of well known mutants (within the comic book world anyway) including Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), John Wraith (will.i.am), The Blob (Kevin Durand) and Gambit (Taylor Kitsch) that makes Wolverine such a fun film.

Director, Gavin Hood, succeeds in getting a great deal out of his ensemble cast while still keeping the focus firmly on Wolverine - a difficult task, but one he seems to thrive on.

Jackman is again at his blistering best, proving once again that he has (second only to George Clooney) the most charismatic, likable and eternally watchable screen presence of the decade.

Liev Schreiber's turn as Wolverine's half brother (aka Victor Creed / Sabretooth) is also a standout. Schreiber really shines here, giving as textured, menacing and surprisingly layered performance as one could ever hope to get from a comic book character with "fingernails like a grandmother".

That said, it isn't all happy sailing.

The CGI and effects are distractingly uneven at best. At times they are excellent (most displays of the various mutant powers) while the majority are downright shoddy (Wolverine's incredibly crap looking CGI blades and some pretty lame blue screen backgrounds).

There is also the lingering "good, but not quite satisfying or utterly memorable" after tastes of the Bryan Singer era upon leaving the cinema. 

Perhaps it's the visual tone - I'm just not sure - but you definitely leave never quite feeling as blown away as many hoped they might.

Thankfully, all is not lost.

The memorable inclusion of Ryan Reynolds take on Deadpool - as well as the long awaited appearance of Gambit (seriously, it's been ten years since the first film - and as soon as Remy LeBeau hits the screen, you really have to wonder why it took producers so long to include him... the guy is awesome... give him the next installment in the franchise) which elevates X-Men Origins : Wolverine far beyond any X-Men film we've been exposed to so far (aside from X2).

Wolverine is by no means perfect - in fact, plenty will leave the cinema wanting their money back - but it's a step in the right direction.

... An X-Men Evolution... if you will.

4 out of 5

X-Men Origins : Wolverine
Australian release: 29th April, 2009
Official Site: X-Men Origins : Wolverine
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan
Director:  Gavin Hood