X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Posted on April 28, 2009 at 7:46 am by lkeddie | Permalink

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Released 29th April 2009

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X-Men fans are about to be delivered exactly what they’ve been waiting for - an explanation of not only Logan/Wolverine’s deep-seated pain and desire for retribution, but also a clue to the beginnings of this superhero bunch of ‘misfits’. That said what this offering still doesn’t seem to answer, though, is where these mutants came from in the first place, centuries ago? However, others might argue that this is all part of their mystique. In wearing the ‘producer hat’, star Hugh Jackman who plays Logan has been foremost in the making of the new film, therefore, has successfully managed to combine the essential ingredients of the franchise (big action and special effects, thrilling feats of strength, wisdom and touching vulnerability), with a bigger emphasis on lead character development to really show the mindset and origins of this bestial anti-hero.

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Indeed, as we bear witness to, Wolverine begins life as Logan, the ultimate killer and warrior, alongside his equally bloodthirsty and unstoppable brother, Victor Creed/Sabretooth, played superbly by Liev Schreiber. Jackman continues to place Logan/Wolverine’s inner struggle with what he is at centre of each part of the plot, so conflict - both inner and outer - is always apparent, making this version of the character far more appealing to follow. Naturally, Logan’s chance at love is scuppered, igniting the berserker rage within, and propelling events onwards. Admittedly, there are some flatter moments in the film’s momentum, and it’s only after Victor ‘kills’ Wolverine’s woman, Kayla Silverfox (played by the hauntingly beautiful Lynn Collins) that events begin to escalate and the X-Men magic really begins.

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As for magic, this film will thrill on two accounts: Its impressive, breathtaking effects and stunts, such as Wolverine taking out a military helicopter with the use of a motorbike, and the wonderfully light-hearted moments of comedy, for example, when Logan and his crack team of killers go up in a lift on a deadly mission, accompanied by elevator music. In terms of confrontation scenes, where mutants are pit against mutants, such as Wolverine against Deadpool on the rim of an industrial chimney, this film trumps the others. It also pays particular attention to detail in shaping the other greatly-anticipated mutant characters’ personalities - John Wraith (Will i Am), Frederick J. Dukes/ The Blob (Kevin Durand), Chris Bradley/ Bolt (Dominic Monaghan), Remy LeBeau/ Gambit (Taylor Kitsch) and, of course, the contemptuous, wise-cracking Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), rather than leaving them as colourful supporting players. Without these character developments, Wolverine’s evolution would not be as engaging or complete. Indeed, this episode also answers questions for film fans about Wolverine’s long-standing loathing of scheming government official William Stryker (played by the enigmatic Danny Huston this time) in X-Men 2. There is a final scene at the very end of the credits that involves our alloy-clawed hero, but it’s debatable how significant this is to what has proceeded on screen. Comic fans will be the ones to decide, as there is reference to this in ‘Wolverine Origins’.

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Wolverine delivers the rough with the smooth, the vulnerable with the strong, and the passionate with the soulless, in a visually wonderful and painstaking exploration of each dichotomy. It is a jaw-dropping explosive, dry humoured, and ultimately touching, must-see chapter for fans, and by far the best of the film saga. Jackman proves he is a force to be reckoned with - both in front of and behind the camera.

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By Lisa Keddie

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Synopsis

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X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the first chapter in the X-Men saga, unites Wolverine with several other legends of the X-Men universe in an epic revolution that pits the mutants against powerful forces determined to eliminate them.

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Jackman reprises the role that made him a superstar as the fierce fighting machine who possesses amazing healing powers, adamantium claws and a primal fury known as berserker rage.

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The film also introduces several mutants whose appearances in the movie series have been long anticipated, including Victor Creed, aka Sabretooth (Schreiber), a feral being of unimaginable power; Deadpool (Reynolds), a high-tech mercenary skilled at swordplay; Fred Dukes, also known as The Blob (Durand), a morbidly obese and super-strong behemoth; and Gambit, aka Remy Etienne LeBeau (Kitsch), a Cajun card shark who can manipulate kinetic energy with explosive results. Also featured is William Stryker (Huston), a figure introduced in X2 but whose origins and motives are now fully explored. It is Stryker’s complex relationship with Wolverine that defines much of Logan’s past …and future.

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First appearing in the popular comic books in 1974, Wolverine became an integral member of The X-Men, as well as the headliner of his own comics series. The character’s impact on pop culture has been profound; last year alone, Wolverine was ranked #1 of Wizard magazine’s “Top 200 Comic Book Characters of All Time” and was ranked #4 in Empire Magazine’s “The 50 Greatest Comic Book Characters.”

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Film Facts

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Official site: http://www.xmowolverine.co.uk/

UK Release Date: 29th April 2009

Director: Gavin Hood

Writers: David Benioff, Skip Woods

Cast: Hugh Jackman (’Logan/Wolverine’), Liev Schreiber (’Victor Creed/Sabretooth’), Danny Huston (’William Stryker’), Taylor Kitsch (’Remy LeBeau/Gambit’), Will.i.am (’John Wraith’), Lynn Collins (’Kayla Silverfox’), Ryan Reynolds (’Wade Wilson/Deadpool’), Dominic Monaghan (’Chris Bradley/Bolt’), Daniel Henney (’David North/Agent Zero’), Kevin Durand (’Frederick J. Dukes/The Blob’)