Hugh Jackman reprises his role from previous “X-Men” films. SIDEWALKS’ J.P. has his take on “The Wolverine.”
“The Wolverine”
Marvel / 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
Running Time:2 hr. 16 min.
Directed by: James Mangold
Produced by: Lauren Shuler Donner, Hugh Jackman, Hutch Parker, John Palermo
Screenplay by: Mark Bomback, Scott Frank
Based on Wolverine by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Famke Janssen, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Will Yun Lee
J.P.’s Take:
“The Wolverine” isn’t merely a barrowing of elements from Frank Miller’s and Chris Claremont’s 1982 story arc — at its core, it becomes a character study of Marvel Comic’s most iconic hero. Where as the “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” outing is seen simply as an extension of the “X-Men” franchise, “Wolverine” explores the man/beast’s emotional and psychological state in depth.
What transpires in the opening scenes sets up our journey with the weathered ex- X-Men (one you don’t expect from a Marvel film). Taking place sometime after the events in “X-Men: The Last Stand,” this new solo project finds Logan living in the outskirts of the Yukon. Now a sullen mountain man and alcoholic, the alloy clawed one (Hugh Jackman) comes to grips with himself. He’s grappling with the question of whether or not to return to society and whether he has control of his abilities. Logan – real name James Howlett – strolls into to town from the wooded hillside where he resides. While there he encounters a gang of rowdy huntsmen gearing up for sport hunting near his territory. Upon his return home, he comes across an injured bear that lay dying due to a poison tipped arrow lodged in its neck. Knowing the hunters he met earlier were responsible for this inhumane act, he tracks them down to send them a warning. But before he can put a smack down on the culprits, a petite Japanese warrioress named Yukio (Rila Fukushima) intervenes. Yukio becomes his saving grace of sorts, as she delivers a message from someone of his past. Soon Logan is swept away to Japan where he reunites with Kenuichio Harada (Will Yun Lee), a former soldier he had saved during the bombing of Nagasaki. What he discovers is a plot by Harada to cure him of his mutant curse.
This plotline also involves Harada’s obsession with Wolverine’s immortality and other abilities, which Harada wants for himself. In the midst of this unfolding revelation, a romance also strikes up between Mariko Yashida (Tao Okamoto), daughter of Shingen Yashida (Hiroyuki Sanada), a powerful Yakuza crime boss. Meanwhile, Logan is haunted by dreams of the woman he once loved, the late Jean Grey (Famke Janssen). These images suggest his longing to be with her in the afterlife.
“The Wolverine” is a slow simmering, multi layered departure from its “X-Men” counter parts. Much more dramatic overtones are present in its plotline, with subtle, well-choreographed battles sequences that rival Japanese films past and present. Writers Mark Bomback and Scott Frank don’t just adapt the character, they allow Jackman to fully engulf his world. In Jackman’s sixth appearance as the mutant with the ability to live forever, he remains just surly gritty and sarcastic as ever, with slight refinement in temperament. You’ll also discover that Logan, a.k.a Wolverine, isn’t just the fiery tempered, adamantium infused mutant as you’ve witnessed in cartoons or “X-Men” 1, 2 and 3. Beside the newly afflicted physical vulnerabilities we witness here, we catch a glimpse of his emotional side, especially in scenes that involve Jean Grey’s ghost. Additional scenes which puts his soft side on display finds him risking his life to save Mariko. His reasoning for wanting to drop out of existence becomes clearer as well, alluding to the fact that he feels he has nothing to live for. This is a broken Wolverine, an alloy claw wielding menace with a human core.
I give props to the remaining cast that, fortunately, was kept to a minimum:
- Svetlana Khodchenkova plays the conniving villainess Viper. I liked her understated approach to the character, yet I couldn’t help feeling as though she was an after thought here.
- Rila Fukushima is the cutesy anime styled assassin Yukio. She has genuine concern for Logan and it’s shown in her loyalty to preserve his well being.
- Hiroyuki Sanada plays Shingen Yashida, who plays the character fairly typical or what crime boss should be like. He’s hard nosed, pushy and at times deadly.
- Tao Okamoto plays the demur yet feisty Mariko Yashida. I felt she fit the role nicely.
You’ll notice that there are no hyper active special effects driven scenes here. Except for the battle sequence at the end of the movie, this involves a robotic Samurai. For the most part much of the film relies on classic martial arts fighting styles. In terms of stunts there is one exception to the realm of impossible, however. Wolverine battles Yakuza thugs on top of a bullet train movie at close to 200 miles per. It’s both a funny and exhilarating moment. This is all enhanced with 3D, which is actually subtle in its effect.
You’ll need to stay in your seats until the very end, as there is a sneak peek as to the next “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” I won’t even spoil it for you because it’s one you’ll want to stick around for. For that I give it my recommendation. This is a solid effort by director James Mangold; one that sets out to erase the stains that “X-Men Origins” left behind. Although it doesn’t quite reach the gritty atmospherics as found in other hero efforts such “Dark Knight,” “The Amazing Spider Man” or even “Iron Man,” it does, however, hit a poignant spot, allowing fans to immerse themselves in Wolverine’s fresh new world.