Director James Mangold manages to take us on a journey where The Wolverine is just an average person. That was the premises even before Logan loses his powers as Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, Real Steel) reprises his role for the 6th time (If you also count his cameo in X-Men: First Class). We soon realize that Logan has gone into seclusion into the mountains following the events far after X-Men: Last Stand. Logan is plagued with demons. His nightmares haunt him as he continues to have visions of Jean Grey, reprised by the ageless beauty, Famke Janssen (Taken).
A mysterious figure by the name of Yukio played by Rila Fukushima (Karma: A Very Twisted Love Story) is searching for Logan. She summons him to travel to Japan to meet someone from Logan’s past. Once in Japan we meet Yashida, the person who summoned Logan, a frail old man played by Hal Yamanouchi (Push, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) who informs Logan that he saved his life during World War 2 when the U.S. drops the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Now on the verge of death he tells Logan that he can help Logan achieve what has always eluded him… death.
The whole concept of the movie takes place after the revelation from Yashida as Logan meets his granddaughter Mariko played by newcomer Tao Okamoto. While Jackman and Okamoto share the majority of the screen time, the biggest problem I had with the movie is the supporting cast gets overshadowed. Other than Rila Fukushima, no one else get any time onscreen.
There wasn’t enough character development. From Will Yun Lee (Total Recall, Red Dawn) who is the shadowy archer Harada, protector of Mariko. Svetlana Khodchenkova (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) who plays Viper, an obscure character who really had no reason to be in the film and Hiroyuki Sanada (47 Ronin, Rush Hour 3) who plays Mariko’s father, we don’t get to know these characters beyond the flimsy introductions.
It’s hard not to be so judgmental. The Wolverine does something that I’ll try my best to over look. Hugh Jackman dose a terrific job once again as Logan, but the physics of the movie (yes, I know I just said physics regarding a comic book movie) make no sense. If Logan’s healing factor isn’t there, that means whenever he uses his claws there should be three bleeding holes on each hand just above his knuckles, but we never see that. For the story revolving about him not having his healing factor, he does do a good job managing to overcome every obstacle.
The scenes with Famke Janssen could have been a single sequence and not multiple occurrences and the Silver Samurai armor was way too big. By the time he appears on camera the predictability of the movie’s outcome was pretty obvious. What made me want to pull my hair out was the fact that the overall role the Silver Samurai was for made no sense. There is definitely a better way of achieving what was needed by the use of a syringe and not a 12 foot Ironmonger rip-off! (After you see the movie, think about it.)
The Wolverine is an action packed movie. The scenes where it was just one on one time between Jackman and Okamoto wasn’t too gaudy and the overall story was good. The final FINAL scene (you’ll know what I mean.) will get you hyped up! This definitely surpasses the awful first movie where there was no representation to Wolverine other than when he gets adamantium put into his body. They thankfully don’t throw in a ton of mutants that don’t need to be there. And there is no horrendous final showdown with a villain that has every power in the X-Men franchise (I’m looking at you Gavin Hood and your horrible portrayal of Deadpool). I’m sure fans of Wolverine will be happy to see what we all have been waiting for, a nice representation of our favorite Canadian superhero!
The Wolverine hits theaters July 26. Guarantee your tickets with Fandango. BUY TICKETS NOW
Rated PG-13 for: Violence and intense action.
Run time: 1 hours and 26 minutes.
After Credits Scene: Midway
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Brian Tee, Hal Yamanouchi and Famke Janssen.
Writers: Mark Bomback, Scott Frank
Out of 5 Nerdskulls
Story: 4 / Acting: 3.5 / Directing: 3.5 / Visuals: 4
OVERALL: 4 out of 5 Nerdskulls
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