X-Men Origins: Wolverine Movie Review
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Movie Review
Big on brawn, long on yawns.
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I should preface this review by saying I really like Hugh Jackman. As a person, as a performer, he is practically flawless. He loves the character of Wolverine, and like any actor who truly cares about his work, he's really stuck by his interpretation of the famous comic book creation and taken extra special care here in X-Men Origins: Wolverine as a hands-on producer. Jackman did an impressive job handpicking an uber-talented, all-star cast, and he chose some breathtaking, big-scope locations and wrapped the entire project in gravitas (director Gavin Hood is a bona fide BAFTA nominee for the critically acclaimed Tsotsi, and DP Donald Alpine is Oscar-nominated for Moulin Rouge!).
So why didn't I like Wolverine? Maybe it's just one too many angst-ridden origin stories, or perhaps it's because I've never enjoyed any of the previous X-Men movies (if you think differently, then please: take this review with a grain of salt).
Or, it might just be that the movie is too big and bloated for its britches. I think the character of Wolverine is an interesting one, and I like the idea of filling in the blanks on his amnesia (seeing how his famous claws evolved, where he got that cool leather jacket), but this point-A to point-B tale of woe is formulaic and fallow — and I was bored throughout most of it.
In the movie, we meet Logan (Jackman) as a beleaguered boy in 19th century Canada, then follow him as a member of elite military squadron Team X through several wars, and finally into the lulling arms of a daily work grind as a logger and domestic bliss with the woman he loves. But when Logan tries to lead a normal life, he finds his past isn't so far behind. Enter Wolverine!
It's a shame the fantastic actors and their characters don't get their due. It's obvious they all worked hard, and had fun with their roles. Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson / Deadpool is truly "the Merc with a mouth" as his clipped quips fly almost faster than his sword-swipes; Liev Schreiber gives Wolverine's half-brother Victor Creed / Sabretooth undertones of emotion and inner conflict; Lynn Collins as Kayla Silverfox is strong, sweet and sensuous; Taylor Kitsch shows maturity and confident sexiness as the mystical Remy LeBeau / Gambit; will.i.am makes an impressive big screen debut as the playful and loyal John Wraith / Kestrel; while the amazing Danny Huston commands every scene he's in as the charming yet dangerous William Stryker.
The locations, sets, costumes, and everything to augment them — aside from some very shaky CGI — are lovely. But after a promisingly stirring, informative and complex opening titles sequence, the movie itself winds up lacking suspense, surprise or any sense of urgency. (Its PG-13 rating will more than likely let most horror fans out, but there is a decapitation, a morphing skull, and a few bloody battle scenes.) The too-few comedic moments — aside from an ill-conceived and totally time-wasting boxing scene — work very well.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine redeems itself in the end with an almost movie-saving third act, but you have to sit through an awful lot of self-loathing, meaningless explosions, ignored plot holes, and mind-numbing angst before you get your doggie biscuit. (Or an even bigger reward, if you can sit and stay past the end-credits.)
In my opinion, the movie needed to be faster-paced and to take itself much less seriously.
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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson