The Wolverine (Film Review)

                I wasn’t looking forward to another X-men themed adventure, beside “First Class.”  The last time there was a film involving Wolverine, it was 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and it was a sore sight to see. So, I’m happy to report that The Wolverine is significantly better than the film that was intended four years ago and is has a lot more depth than advertised.

Logan has disbanded from his teammates after the events of “The Last Stand” and is a shell of his former self. He can’t live himself after impaling Jean Grey (Dark Phoenix) to prevent further casualties all those years ago and has recurring dreams about his former love periodicity throughout the film. He meets up with a girl named Yukio, who then brings Logan to Japan to meet up with an old friend from the past who heads one of the biggest corporations in Japan: The Yashida Corporation. Back in 1945, Nagasaki was attacked by the United States during World War II by an Atomic Bomb. Logan proceeds to save Yashida from the impact of the bomb and is rewarded with the opportunity of having mortal life. His healing powers are a thing of the past, at that point. What becomes more than a simple thank you, turns into a fight against death and Yashida will stop at nothing but to live forever.

What makes The Wolverine such an engaging film is how Hugh Jackman is able to convey Logan’s conflict of not be indestructible anymore and the imbedded guilt that has traumatized this soldier. It’s a nice change of pace for a series longing for ingenuity. The fight scenes are elaborately designed with good techniques and aren't reliant on much use of CGI; easily the film’s best moment comes aboard on top of a high-speed train, which features good direction from director James Mangold throughout most of the entire film. Other parts within the film seem like filler, for example, the Viper character is given little to do here. Her act was tired right after she poisoned the 3,457^th character in the film and the last half-hour tends to fall apart with odd twist and turns, especially with The Sliver Samurai making its presence felt, and, also, while the minor sub-plot of having Logan protect the Mariko Yashida is fairly good, that love story is a bit forced. That said, The Wolverine is an enjoyable movie, which makes up for the suckage that was 2009's "Origins." 

Nonetheless, The Wolverine is a satisfying movie with enough action and story to keep you invested throughout the film and is a nice prelude to next year’s Days of Future Past. If you've managed to stick around for during the credits, there’s a nice surprised in-store for the most patient.