X-Men Origin Wolverine

Its summer movie season which can only mean three things: sun, sweat, and super heros. Well Marvel has done it again! This time the spotlight is on Stan Lee’s favorite razor slashing, metal clawed, hard ass with a bad attitude and worst haircut; Wolverine.

The film opens in 1845 with a young Logan, later to become Wolverine. After he witnesses the death of his father, Logan begins a life on the run from his true identiy with his partner in crime and brother Victor Creed a.k.a. Sabertooth by his side. As he grows up, Logan lives a secret mutant life, and seeks revenge for the death of his girlfriend, but first he must undergo a painful operation — the injection of adamantium into his skeleton — to make him indestructible. Thus, Wolverine is born.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is the prequel to the now famed X-Men films directed by Bryan Singer and Brett Ratner. In the film, the iconic yet reluctant super hero Wolverine played by Hugh Jackmen is joined by a cast of new characters including John Wraith played by Will.i.Am, Bolt played by Dominic Monaghan, The Blob played by Kevin Durand, Kayla Silverfox played by Lynn Collins, and Agent Zero played by Daniel Henney, all of whom boast weird and interesting super powers. The casting on this film is good and important to the development and authenticity of this film. This is particularly obvious when it comes to Sabretoth played by Liev Schreiber, and Deadpool played by Ryan Reynolds. Both actors should be applauded for their sincerity in their roles. This is especially true for Ryan Reynolds who really bulked up for his role in the film.

In the story line department, X-Men Origins: Wolverine could have benefited from a little more detail. As it stands, X-Men Origins: Wolverine flat lines from time to time and reminds me of the sometimes diluted story lines that you get when you play story mode on a video game. Because it is a prequel, a suggestion before watching the film if you haven’t seen X-Men in a while, is to rent the previous Singer and Ratner X-Men movies, (at least the first two) to get a general understanding of setting and background.

Visually, this film is pellucid and clear adding excitement and believability to the characters super human abilities. The special effects are well placed and not too overly obvious, however the visual effects don’t serve the overall plot of the film.

To those unfamiliar with the Wolverine comics, the story may come as a bit of a surprise, and maybe confusing to you. However, it is a film within itself and clear enough to follow along. In all, the film does exactly what it sets out to do: entertain. It’s a brainless rock ‘em, sock ‘em explosive thrill of a journey worth your $10.50, and something to do for two hours. Fanboys may be disappointed in the all-around aspects of the film. Still, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds super smokin’ bods make up for it.

Review By: Michaela A.J.S.

Critic