By Lloyd Bayer
Before I continue, choose which category you fall into, Marvel comic book fan or Action movie fan, as the film may impact you accordingly.
The action starts straight away when a young Logan kills his biological father in a fit of rage. Along with half-brother Victor, they flee the scene while learning to accept they are not mere mortals. This forms part of the awesome opening credits showing the duo’s “back to back” fighting skills as well as their intense relationship build up. With a reputation as imperishable soldiers they are recruited into an elite group of mutants called the Weapon X Program. Funded by the military and headed by Col. William Stryker, the mutant team comprises of Wade Wilson aka Deadpool, Fred Dukes aka Blob, Dominic Monaghan aka Bolt, David North aka Agent Zero and John Wraith, a teleporting mutant. After their first assignment in Nigeria in search of an indestructible metal called adamanitum, Logan walks away disgusted after years of fighting and killing ordinary mortals. Six years later, his content and peaceful life is shattered when his girlfriend is brutally murdered. Shortly after, he is met by Stryker again and the latter briefs him that Victor is on a killing rampage and the only way to stop him is by helping Logan reinforce his bone structure with impenetrable adamantium. This forms the premise for Logan’s eternal fury as Wolverine, his powerful metal claws and the ensuing fight between good and evil.
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(All images copyright © 2009 Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
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As an action movie, director Gavin Hood has successfully revived a dying franchise after Bret Ratner’s disappointing X-Men: The Last Stand. Fight scenes are well choreographed and over all action is spectacular without too much blood and gore, allowing for a PG-13 rating. CGI though good, could have been a tad better as each year the audience expects something unseen before. Hugh Jackman’s performance as Wolverine is consistent with the previous three movies in this series. Besides his anger and strength, here he copes with betrayal and revenge. Jackman also endured massive workout sessions, giving him a notably superior frame unlike his previous X-Men roles. Stealing half the lime light is Liev Schreiber as Victor. This underestimated actor gets his dues here playing Wolverine’s evil step-brother, and as Marvel comics go, would later be called Sabertooth, Wolverine’s arch enemy. Although Schreiber’s performance is also impressive if not expected, his role has an uncanny similarity to his Zus Bielski in Defiance, a true story about sibling rivalry. Schreiber also reportedly worked up 30 pounds of muscle to play Wolverine’s formidable nemesis. Danny Huston as Col. Stryker is the only supporting actor not playing a mutant. However, his role is well played as a devious, manipulative and ultimately dangerous head of the Weapon X Program. Also look out for cameos from Ryan Reynolds, Dominic Monaghan, Will.i.am, and a younger looking Patrick Stewart.
Marvel fans on the other hand, could be in for a slight disappointment right after the opening credits and could easily accuse the director of not being an actual fan himself. From the comic book perspective, there is insufficient time allocated for character development. Fans may even claim that there are too many mutants in this movie without proper screen time for each one, raising questions about their relevance in the first place. The finale with Deadpool is superb from an action perspective, but being a mutant created by pooling the genes of all other mutants, the powers he displays appear quite limited compared to his potential in the Marvel universe. Wolverine’s fury is born from murder and betrayal, again causing Marvel fans to disapprove. Gambit and Cyclops seem to be thrown in just for flavor. In my opinion, Gavin Hood has done a good job in not just delivering an action packed block buster, but in equating the plot to what is promised in the title. This is Wolverine’s story and how he got to be a member of X-Men. It is not about what caused his genetic mutation. Assuming Marvel fans are already aware of Wolverine’s genetic origins, this film’s plot is about what places him at the fore of the superhero genre amid ample twists, turns, betrayal and back stabbing.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the start of the 2009 summer action fiesta.
Lloyd Bayer
Comments
Frank Says:
June 10th, 2007 at 11:54
More Wolverine quotes:
"Become the animal. Embrace the other side. "
"I'm coming for blood, no code of conduct, no law. "
"All the horrible things in your life... Your father, the wars, I can make all this go away. You can live knowing that the woman you loved was hunted down, or you can join me. I promise you will have your revenge. "
"All I ever wanted was to travel to far off exotic places, meet new exciting people and then kill them. So I become a mercenary. My name is Wade Wilson. And I love what I do. "
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