‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’: The Review

BREAKING: ‘ X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ opened with a stunning $35 million on Friday, meaning the film may be looking at $90 million weekend (Deadline Hollywood Daily).

Holy cow.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine posterDIG’S TAKE: In the lead up to ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’, I tried very hard to avoid reading articles or watching clips that revealed too much of the plot.

Now running a Wolverine site is not the easiest way to achieve that goal, but it seems I was very effective in my endeavor, as much of the movie came as a surprise when I saw it on Friday.

What was equally effective in light of the tepid reviews and low rating by Rotten Tomatoes, was that I was able to divorce the movie from the comic book and walk in with very low expectations.

As a result, I was not outraged at any liberties taken, nor opportunities missed.

In a nutshell, it is not nearly as bad as I feared, but it’s not nearly as good as I hoped.

As is my normal course for these reviews, let me hit the highlights and leave the detailed analysis to others…

THE GOOD: Let’s start with Hugh Jackman. Despite his height, he is Wolverine. We can bitch, we can complain, but at the end of the day, Wolverine is on the screen because Hugh Jackman embodies him. Imagine if we were stuck with someone like Keanu Reeves. So at its core, the film is a Wolverine movie, not a fake wannabee.

Liev Schrieber is terrific as Victor Creed. Three-quarters of the way through the film, I realized that this film was doing a better job portraying Sabretooth than it was portraying Wolverine. Liev Schreiber wonderfully balances the savagery and danger of Victor Creed with the need for familial bonds.

Kevin Durand is fabulous as the Blob, especially in a highly entertaining 10-minute sequence in the middle of the film. It is perhaps the best balance of comedy, fun and plot advancement in the movie. If only the whole film were as good.

will.i.am is surprisingly good as John Wraith. A badass with a real talent for comedy and one-liners. Frankly, he would have made a terrific partner for Wolverine in the movie if given more of a chance.

Gambit is a lot of fun. Taylor Kitsch brings the perfect vibe for Remy LeBeau, even though the character is horribly underused, feeling more like a last-minute addition than a character central to the plot.

THE BAD: The movie is just kind of there. There is no emotion. A few hours after it’s over, the movie doesn’t last in your head. It’s a lightweight summer action picture that will be forgotten as soon as Star Trek hits the big screen next week. Harsh, but true.

And after seeing the action sequences in ‘Watchmen’, the fights here seem rather prosaic. And for a character that can heal like Wolverine can, there are no jaw-dropping sequences of him recovering from a horrific injury that would put this film at a cut above your regular summer action picture.

Deadpool is soooo underused and his dialogue so lame that one wonders why they even included him. This character is a goldmine, as anyone who has seen the Hulk vs. Wolverine DVD can attest. It is a genuine travesty that he wasn’t given a single good line.

Other characters were wildly underused as well, like the one played by Dominic Monaghan. What the hell was up with that? Or the couple who gave Logan his clothes and motorcycle after his adamantium bonding. It wasn’t until writing this review that I discovered that they were supposed to be the Hudsons.

I could go on about wasted opportunities, lack of coherency and a lack of genuine emotional pop.

But at the end of the day this wasn’t a bad movie.

It simply wasn’t anywhere near as good as it could have been, or perhaps should have been.

Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below. We are not trying to argue with anyone who liked it or hated it. Merely trying to give a forum for fans who want to share their feelings after finally viewing the Wolverine movie.

Or if you would prefer, join us on the forums for a more-spirited discussion.

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DF
14 years ago

As jrpbsp wrote before, this movie was for all ages and that put some limitations to the movie, including the Weapon X story itself. Logan is supposed to be a victim from Weapon X program but I never felt that way towards him in the movie.

In personal note, I watched the leaked version before may 1st. because I had a few fears regarding the movie, I’m glad some of them were just fears but the story was so poor that Idon’t have any intention to see this movie on theaters. My movie is not worth this money.

ChatManGuy
14 years ago

I went to see the film with other non comic book readers & we all enjoyed the movie. The crowd reaction in the theater was good as well. IMO Sabertooth seemed cooler than Logan at times, which should’ve been just the opposite, but don’t get me wrong because Hugh did a great job as the Wolverine. I agree with all the comments above & I also wish they would’ve shown more of Logan’s power & capabilities, such as more healing factor scenes, better fighting scenes for him without getting assistant from anyone else & of course more rage.

SomeguynamedJohn
14 years ago

All in all for what it was, it was a good movie. I think people misunderstand Deadpool’s role in the movie as I think its before Deadpool became Deadpool, the movie added a few touches to him that I thought was odd at the time like the swords that came out of his arms but what really put my balls in a vise grip was them sealing up his mouth. But before I start nerding out, it was all in all a good movie. Though I would’ve preferred a more beastial Wolverine

DiG
14 years ago

Have you seen the Hulk vs. Wolverine DVD?

His dialogue in that animated short was so well done that this rendition simply left me scratching my head.

It’s a shame too, because with the right script, he could have (and should have) stolen the movie.

DF
14 years ago

**This movie is not worth my money.

14 years ago

Yeh i saw the dvd and i liked it ^^
Nolan North IS deadpool while Steven Blum IS wolverine animated wise.
Hugh Jackman IS wolveirne and Ryan Reynolds Is deadpool life action wise

14 years ago

I agree with you on all of those things (wow, Hudsons for reals? ) but i disagree on ryan reynolds, i think he did a good job in the opening and shoudl’ve been given more lines and action scenes.

14 years ago

Great movie. I loved it.

jrpbsp
14 years ago

Keep in mind this might be a launching pad but not meant to be anyone’s movie but Wolverine’s. I would have liked a longer run time in general with more Team X stuff but as it is I don’t feel for any of the other characters getting skimped on. Hopefully we’ll end up with a Deadpool movie and let Ryan’s wit actually shine through

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