Once again reprising the role that helped make him a bonafide superstar in Hollywood, Hugh Jackman returns as the X-Man Logan, and proves without a shadow of a doubt why he's the man that deserves to be called "Wolverine". Since his last full appearance as the feral mutant in the 2009 X-film spinoff "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and making a cameo in 2011's "X-Men: First Class", there's been more questions than answers as to where the X-Men's most dangerous member would go next, and now we get the answer in an adaptation that explores a part of his life that's based from one of the most memorable arcs in the Marvel Comics character's long and documented comic history.
Definitely departing from the typical superhero film route and taking itself more seriously like that of a Japanese noir action movie, The Wolverine is the latest spinoff film that explores the character's time in Japan, as well as battling personal demons and new foes in the form of yakuza, ninjas, samurai, and more hidden enemies with a bone to pick with the X-Man. It's your formula for the kind of action and setup seen in the genre... Only with Wolverine in it, and adds subtle ties to his part in the X-Men film franchise, particularly with one thread that carries over from X-Men: The Last Stand. Does this movie scream berserker rage or something else? Find out in this review, and special thanks goes to 20th Century Fox PH and Ayala Cinemas for the Special advanced 3D screening!
Let's Go, Bub.
The Wolverine
Directed By: James Mangold
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Famke Janssen
Release Date: July 25 (RP) July 26 (U.S)
Based on the 1982 Marvel Comics miniseries "Wolverine" by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, "The Wolverine" details Logan's experiences in Japan, as well as his encounters with the Yashida Clan. Set right after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, the former soldier of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters has chosen exile, haunted by inner demons and isolating himself off to the wilderness in the Yukon. However, a mysterious Japanese female named Yukio tracks him down, and escorts him to Japan to pay a visit to Yashida, the dying leader of one of Japan's biggest empires and whom Logan saved years ago during the Hiroshima bombing in World War II. Given a chance by the old man to end his curse by renouncing his immortality, Logan refuses, but soon finds himself stripped of his mutant abilities and caught right in the middle of a conspiracy. Charged with the protection of Yashida's granddaughter Mariko and searching for answers, the former X-Man must cast aside all doubts and test his resolve as a warrior, and prove why he is truly called "The Wolverine".
Directed by James Mangold and based on a screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie, Scott Frank, and Mark Bomback, The Wolverine is more than just another superhero film, and despite being meant to be another X-Men spinoff, it passes itself off as a solid action film that explores more about the character that's rarely seen beyond wearing the X-suit and unleashing his adamantium claws in berserker fury. Hugh Jackman returns and is in top form (thanks to intense training and tips from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), and we see a side of Logan rarely explored or highlighted in past movies, and that's the path of being a lone warrior with his own code of honor and punishment to dish out on those who deserve it.
Mangold and Jackman previously worked together in the 2001 romantic-comedy Kate & Leopold, and despite being the opposite of what you'd expect, the Wolverine actor's faith and vocal admiration for the director is justified with the output this movie gives. It's certainly fresh and different, and doesn't clutter around themes and elements in the X-Men universe that have no bearing or are utilized in a wasteful manner (see X-Men Origins: Wolverine for Ryan Reynolds' final act version of Deadpool). Indeed, there's plenty of action and time to "slice n' dice" for Logan as he did in previous films, but the plot constrains his movements by allowing the character to face an enemy that he cannot easily overcome, and that's his own personal demons. The latter part in particular is due to his mutant Healing Factor, and that itself is taken away, forcing the Ol' Canucklehead to face his weaknesses and fight a battle in life he rarely faces: his own mortality.
After getting his origin explained in the last spinoff, exploring Logan's time and background in Japan is a welcomed addition to the X-Men Movie franchise, and shows how Wolverine came to embrace both his dark nature and skills in order to become the warrior he is known and respected to be. In the comics alone, he's considered a "samurai warrior" by his peers in the hero community despite having no Japanese background, and his ties to the Yashida Clan have been a facet of his life that goes skin deep. The Wolverine explores this aspect a little differently, yet conveys the message in a manner that is acceptable to audiences familiar or unfamiliar with the character's backstory. His past with Yashida in particular is new to the film, as well as the interpersonal relations he subsequently has with the old man's clan and inevitably with his granddaughter Mariko. The latter relationship in particular is a memorable romance that has thrived through the rich history Logan has in comics, and is portrayed pretty well in the movie in that it gives Wolverine new purpose and meaning in his long and torment filled life.
In terms of casting, The Wolverine graces itself with admirable Japanese talent, which include no less the great Hiroyuki Sanada, who displays his worth as both a warrior and the corrupt evil son of Yashida, Shingen. The beautiful Japanese humanitarian and model Tao Okamoto makes her film debut by playing the love interest role of Mariko Yashida, and she clearly has chops and a future ahead of her in Hollywood. The same can be said for fellow Japanese model and actress Rila Fukushima, who plays Mariko's adopted sister and Logan's "bodyguard" Yukio. Her role also varies from the comics in that she's able to see the future, but is just as skilled when it comes to fighting and swordplay. Haruhiko Yamanouchi plays the aged and dying Yashida, while Will Yun Lee plays Harada, a childhood friend and ninja warrior under the service of Yashida. All of them convey their parts and actions well into the film, and add to the authentic Japanese setting most of the movie takes place in.
Finally, we have a very familiar co-star in the form of Famke Janssen, who reprises her role as the deceased Jean Grey, tormenting Logan in his dreams and adding guilt to his broken psyche after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand. It's this element of the film that truly puts ties to the past X-Men films, and in a sense adds meaning to Logan's journey that will be resolved in the course of this standalone film. Famke in particular doesn't skip a beat and is fully immersed back into one of her signature roles, and has true chemistry with her X-Men co-star Hugh Jackman despite being a "shade" of his past he wishes to reconcile and forgive himself for.
Without delving too much into plot and getting right to the bottom of things, The Wolverine is a solid venture into a corner of Logan's life that's worthy to be embraced and explored as part of his character. While already understanding his origins and mutant background, the heart of the movie lies with his personal code and conflict as a warrior and person with a dark past, and that's the fundamental part that this movie more or less achieves in portraying. There are certainly some parts that feel odd or considerably less superhero-like than what's usually seen in most X-Films, but this difference in method is what makes it one if not THE best X-Men spinoff film seen that detaches itself from teamwork and focuses on solo material. While not perfect at all, James Mangold did well enough, and Hugh Jackman's faith in him sees a good reprisal of the Australian actor's signature role for the unprecedented sixth time. He'll be going for a seventh soon with next year's X-Men: Days of Future Past, so be sure to watch out for that.
Speaking of which... STAY UNTIL THE MID-CREDITS SEQUENCE OF THE WOLVERINE. You won't regret it, and it's UNCANNY to say the least. THAT IS ALL.
Rating - 4/5
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