Related Sections: Movies Reviews Top Stories
Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine isn't a triumph or a disaster—it's just OK
It's hard to know quite how to describe X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It's not the disaster that some predicted. It's also not the triumph that would silence critics come opening day. Rather, it's just okay—an exercise in assembly-line studio hitmaking that strikes all the right notes but none of them loudly or clearly enough.
While from the first appearance of Hugh Jackman in the original X-Men his character may have seemed destined to enjoy his own spinoff, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a conventional and competently executed epic that mostly works, but without offering anything new, different or even just interesting to get excited about.
[Warning: Spoilers follow.]
Wolverine is born in the 1830s as James Howlett (Jackman as an adult), a sickly child whose powers manifest themselves when he discovers that his adopted father has been murdered by his biological father. He flees into the woods with his brother Victor (Liev Schreiber), and the two endure the American Civil War, World Wars I and II, and Vietnam fighting side by side, until Victor beheads a superior officer. When the Army unsuccessfully tries to kill them, William Stryker (Danny Huston) approaches the duo and offers them a spot on a team of mutants he is assembling.
James and Victor work for Stryker until the military commander orders them to execute civilians, which James wants no part of. Relocating to Canada, James rebuilds his life with a young woman named Kayla (Lynn Collins), but Victor hunts them down and kills her. Filled with revenge, James reconnects with Stryker, agreeing to undergo an experimental procedure that will help him track down his brother. As the process nears completion, James realizes that he was betrayed by Stryker, and escapes, starting an escalating chain of violence that pits brother against brother as James—now renamed Logan, the Wolverine—begins to uncover the truth about his life.
Not having seen the workprint version that leaked online a month prior to the film's theatrical release, I'm unable to specify what differences there might have been between the earlier cut and this final print. That said, Wolverine nevertheless feels unfinished in many respects, from lackluster special effects—particularly in several of the end sequences—to its massive, unfocused story, which wants to include as many characters and subplots as were featured in the X-Men films. Director Gavin Hood, whose previous film was the underwhelming Iraq War drama Rendition, manages to do a serviceable job assembling all of the elements that are required for the film to satisfy audiences but lays them out so plainly on screen that it's impossible to get deeply invested in the character's tragic plight.
At the same time, thanks to a wealth of pretty hardcore violence, and action scenes that are for the most part well staged, there are a few genuinely exciting moments. Wolverine's initial battle against the military (much of which makes up the theatrical trailer) comes together well as one of the film's best set pieces, particularly because it begins with an eruption of unexpected violence that could have signaled a darker and more emotionally complex movie than this one. Additionally, Jackman and Schreiber are ideally suited to play opposite one another, as brothers or not; both have the acting chops to pull off their characters' respective humanity and ferocity without making Wolverine or Sabretooth either too tough or wimpy. And as his love interest Kayla, Collins is both fetching and talented enough to hold her own against the more seasoned Jackman.
As one might expect, there are a few problematic continuity changes between Wolverine and the X-Men films, not the least of which is Sabretooth's personality. But, admittedly those are largely irrelevant in the context of the entire franchise, which everyone involved is no doubt hoping will continue to expand (both with Wolverine and other characters) if this film succeeds. Ultimately, aside from some technical gaffes and a story that, while serviceable, fails to arouse consistent excitement, it's hard to have too many problems with the film. Some might call that damning Wolverine with faint praise, but really all it means is that I got another satisfactory adventure involving my favorite X-Men character, when what I really wanted was something that would truly make me go berserk.
By a different tim at 11:43 AM ON 04/30/09
it would be nice if the character wolverine would be handled as well as the new Batman movies are. Maybe if they do another one they could dig deeper and not be afraid to make a darker or complex movie. It would work for this character.
By Rafe at 11:45 AM ON 04/30/09
One thing that never quite made sense was how Wolverine's bone-based claws go from a gnarly, rounded shape to straight, sleek knives. If the metal was just being grafted onto bone, wouldn't the original shape remain.
Nitpicking...
P.S.
This Captcha system is the worst on the Web!!!
By Lordmoon at 12:10 PM ON 04/30/09
@ Rafe - That's how it was in the comics as well. His bone claws were a lot more misshapen then his metal ones. Stuff like that I leave up to artistic lisencing.
By kizer at 12:35 PM ON 04/30/09
The beginning of the movie was good, but as soon as they arrived on that island it took a turn to stupid. The final fight was in my opinion the biggest joke in Hollywood.
By dennishenley at 2:38 PM ON 04/30/09
Dude,
It's a comic book. Not everything is supposed to make sense or be explained. Don't you wonder why his claws don't rip away from his hands when he slices through something like a door or helicopter?How do they remain fixed to his skeleton and yet can retract under his skin. And, where do they go when they retract? If somehow they fit within his forearm, they can't retract past his elbow or he'd have trouble bending his arm.
Just keep repeating. It's only a comic book.
By S.W. at 3:14 PM ON 04/30/09
As long as it's better than Last Stand I'll be happy.
By Methos at 3:31 PM ON 04/30/09
Yeah it was just, ok. You know just so-so. Not thrilling, but nice. I'm glad I just downloaded it rather than spending the big bucks to see it in the theaters.
By smegforbrain at 4:39 PM ON 04/30/09
"It's not the disaster that some predicted."
The hell it isn't. It's a complete disaster.
By dcbritboy at 5:08 PM ON 04/30/09
Much better than The Last Stand! A fun popcorn flick, more in the breath/scope of The Incredible Hulk than that of Iron Man or Dark Knight. Some of the effects were truly awful however (especially the bathroom scene and the first time he inspects his new claws), especially since overall the CGI was top-notch. Thumbs down on Emma Frost but a big thumbs up for Gambit!!!! And the cameo at the end... Awesome!!!!
By Captain Teague at 5:03 AM ON 05/01/09
A fun, exciting, and solid addition to the X-Men cannon, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a far better film than was X-Men 3. I'm not sure why so many critics and fans alike are expressing such severe disappointment with this film. Hugh Jackman was outstanding, the script paid great respect to both Wolverine and the events of the X-Men trilogy. The director allowed for great character moments, and most importantly, allowed the characters to breathe, and the emotional core of each scene bubble to the surface. Bravo to all involved in bringing XO:W to the screen. Once again, I am proud to say that I whole-heartedly disagree with the critics, both professional and otherwise. Here's hoping we get a second Wolverine spin-off that deals with events post X3.
By Shaddoe at 7:41 AM ON 05/01/09
Perhaps there's an uncut version of this film that'll see the light of day on DVD, that's always possible.
By smegforbrain at 9:47 AM ON 05/01/09
"I'm not sure why so many critics and fans alike are expressing such severe disappointment with this film"
Well, I can't understand why anybody actually liked this film, so at least we each know where we stand. :)
"Here's hoping we get a second Wolverine spin-off that deals with events post X3."
I'm sure you'll get it, because this movie will make money, even though it's going to be received so badly by the majority of people.
I'm sure Fox will be more than willing to dump another craptastic film on us in a couple of years, and people will go, because they enjoy train wrecks.
By scorpion at 10:01 AM ON 05/01/09
The movie is the same as the leked (just finshed of coresd)
the move sucks vere bad. as for peps saying the move is good, there neve read the comics or have a clue of what makes a move good. its a dister to Origins not even close. they should shot the wirter. and to how he lose is memory at the end is the most stupdy thing i ever seen OMFG. what where they thinking. this move suck bad what a weast of a movie.
By jason at 5:17 PM ON 05/01/09
.. y'all really need to lighten up, seriously
By ziney800 at 2:04 PM ON 05/02/09
I liked it. The story was a little weak to carry the movie, but I did like the characters and the special effects were good for the most part. The way they did Weapon XI/Deadpool at the end irritated me terribly.
By gizmo at 5:21 PM ON 05/02/09
just saw it. I thought it was great! I mean sure, it wasn't a spectacular movie, but it was fun and genuinely entertaining. If you're expectations aren't TOO high, you will have a good time.
By Stella at 1:08 AM ON 05/03/09
Am I the only one who thought the movie was great? I enjoyed it immensely and found it to be as expected.
@ scorpion: I am that rare bird, a comics girl and I still liked it and I do know what a good movie is. (It is a film that entertains for more than an hour.) Sure it wasn't a perfect adaption of the most recent explination of Wolverine's past but that wasn't the point. Telling an interesting story that would appeal to more than just uber-geeks was, and in that the movie was a success.
By Gail Cooke at 9:15 PM ON 05/08/09
Hugh Jackman..nekkid...enough said. *drool*
Visit mobile.syfy.com/wire on your mobile device.
Gail Cooke:
Hugh Jackman..nekkid...enough said. *drool*...More »