X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE Review

A very mediocre way to tell an origin story. X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE is action packed but doesn’t have enough quality to the storyline and it’s got so many noticeable shortcomings. It tries to simply tell how Wolverine came to be without having… a strong theme that resonates throughout the entire movie, one that develops the characters. It’s fun to watch but leaves you neither satisfied nor in awe. What’s more disappointing than a terrible movie is a movie that’s just Ok. It’s sad to say that X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE is in that category.

Hugh Jackman reprises the role that made him a superstar – as the fierce fighting machine who possesses amazing healing powers, retractable claws and a primal fury. Leading up to the events of “X-Men,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” tells the story of Wolverine’s epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe whose appearances in the film series have long been anticipated

Back when the first X-Men movie came out, there was some mixed response to the casting of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine but as the sequels came and went and years gone by and now this, it’s plain to see that the man is practically made for this role. Hugh is back with his temper, his might, his smartass charm all for the character he’s come to know all too well. Those who want to see this movie to see some cool mutant powers on display and in action won’t be disappointed. The blob, Agent Zero and especially Wade Wilson/Deadpool who can pretty much keep himself from getting shot. The movie does a decent job of connecting the ending to the X-men universe we were familiar with in the past. There are references mentioned or straight up cameos.
I’m surprised at how strong the suggestive violence is for a movie that wants to be seen by 13 year old. Liev Schreiber who plays the villain, sabertooth, shows an intimidating presence that strikes fear into the heart of anybody who has the unfortunate luck of encountering him.

Now on to why this movie doesn’t cut so well in my opinion. First and foremost, unbelievably disappointing CG effects. Anybody who’s seen The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man and then goes to see X-MEN ORIGINS:  WOLVERINE will feel a bit upset because you can notice some of the half-ass job and you’d feel cheated. This isn’t the 90s, when we see summer blockbuster today, we want the visual FX to be tight and sharp enough that you can barely see the difference between what’s real and what’s not. X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, however, gives away way too much.
The the other thing that disappoints me is the fact that it has all these kinds of different themes in one plot, the audience is confused as to what this movie wants to be about. There are signs of Wolverine longing for a father figure, but then it’s about love and betrayal, and then turns to the dilemma of fighting your own kind, and then there’s the decision to not turn into an animal. There’s not one that stands out and becomes the lead connector in the frames.
I’m a fan of gambit and yet they make him seem like a sore loser and a joke in this movie instead of a badass. I know it’s a Wolverine movie but making Gambit the one to blame for interrupting the fight that could’ve ended the movie halfway through is a bit pushing it. I admire Gavin Hood and his little movie Tsotsi but I’m beginning to think he probably shouldn’t take on another big budget superhero movie in the near future. There are scenes that you know could so much more epic. I don’t like how each showdown is only between 2 or 3 people and you’re thinking there should be more people than this in a facility like that, where the hell are they? Make the sequence more complicated, damnit! The impression is, they want to go the distance but the budget and Fox only allow them to go to a certain point. And so, half-ass job is what you get.

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