Wolverine & The Wolverine Thread

[JohnC]

Really? I thought it looked like they cut the claws so there was like an inch or so stump of metal left over?

Yeah, but his bones are inside the metal claws, going most of the way to the tip. So they were exposed too.

[Tangent]

I know we'll never see it, but I'd love to see Logan in an Avengers film. His anger and rage only really work if there are other more wholesome characters around to emphasise it. Having him as the hero of his own movie doing heroic stuff kind of misses the point. He's a hero, sure, but the uncontrollable hot-headed one who does properly crazy shit.

[MDY]

Enjoyed that - leagues better than Origins (thankfully). Would have been great rather than good if they'd written a less silly final act/boss battle though..

[deerokus]

I quite liked this. It wasn't brilliant by any means, but good to see that it's possible to make a superhero film which has actual characters and doesn't have an hour of smashing up buildings. It perhaps was a little too much the other way - more like a slightly unthrilling thriller than an action film - but there was one very fun action sequence and lots of good martial arts and swordfighting bits (as decent as can be in a 12A film).

The climactic battle is a bit ridiculous.

I have a crush on the sidekick. A Japanese Mary Elizabeth Winstead <3.

[mercenarri]

Didn't enjoy the film much, but it was all worth it for the bit after the credits.

How does a skinny Japanese woman push over a giant adamantium robot to the floor?

[Goose]

Solid debut in the US - heading to about $60M.

[sandman]

I had no idea this was out until walking past the cinema this morning. Has it been hyped much?

I'll probably see it Monday.

[Silent Runner]

Loved this. My favourite blockbuster of the summer by a big margin after Superman, Star Trek and Pacific Rim turned out to be total busts.

Great lead, interesting setting, good action (I don't know much about physics but I don't think a fight on the top of a train would go down like that) and despite being long it never felt bloated.

It felt like a proper, stand alone film. Not some reboot bollocks or franchise starter point or some sequel set-up. A neat plot that played out beautifully although a bit predictably.

Excellent.

[BlinkyBear]

As someone who doesn't read the comics, is there any signifance in:

The 'post-credit' bit: Logan is walking up to the security check, looks at a TV and there's an advert for Trask Industries. Am I massively wishful/hopeful that, as an acronym of Stark, there might be some potential, possible link to Avengers?

[JohnC]

As someone who doesn't read the comics, is there any signifance in:

The 'post-credit' bit: Logan is walking up to the security check, looks at a TV and there's an advert for Trask Industries. Am I massively wishful/hopeful that, as an acronym of Stark, there might be some potential, possible link to Avengers?

Trask is another character in that "universe". It isn't Stark. Trask Industries, and apparently one of their inventions in particular, will be in the new X-Men movie.

[BlinkyBear]

Trask is another character in that "universe". It isn't Stark. Trask Industries, and apparently one of their inventions in particular, will be in the new X-Men movie.

well that's frustrating. I spent the whole film thinking that "this is fine, but there needs to be a point here." The X-Men films have been largely well done, but generally unfulfilling and Wolverine as a character is wasted in silly films that seem to solely exist to possible set something up at some stage, maybe, possibly. I don't expect there to be a Wolverine-in-Avengers film, as there should be and instead the link to the next X-Men film was done well enough, but fairly unsatisfying.

[lordcookie]

well that's frustrating. I spent the whole film thinking that "this is fine, but there needs to be a point here." The X-Men films have been largely well done, but generally unfulfilling and Wolverine as a character is wasted in silly films that seem to solely exist to possible set something up at some stage, maybe, possibly. I don't expect there to be a Wolverine-in-Avengers film, as there should be and instead the link to the next X-Men film was done well enough, but fairly unsatisfying.

Peter Dinklage is playing Bolivar Trask which already makes him better than Tony Stark.

I thought this was one of the better blockbuster films of the year.

It is impossible to escape the fact that I have found this year’s summer crop of movies a mediocre bunch but this may in part be due to expectations as well as the middling results of the finished product. James Mangold’s adaptation of the most famous and beloved Wolverine story arc was not high on my watchlist, particularly after Darren Aronofsky vacated the director’s chair, and perhaps because of this I found myself warming to its rough and ready charms more readily. The fact it is also significantly more accomplished than the quite atrocious X-Men Origins: Wolverine is also a welcome bonus.

The Wolverine follows on from the events of The Last Stand with Logan living a grief-stricken and solitary existence in the woods as he mourns the death of his one true love, Jean Grey. However, the appearance of a flame-haired woman gives him the opportunity to travel to Japan and pay his respects to a dying industrialist whose life he saved during the Nagasaki bombing. Soon Wolverine finds himself embroiled in a family feud and political power struggle that involves yakuza, ninjas and samurai whilst also slowly falling far the granddaughter of his former friend.

One of the film’s more pleasant surprises is that its plot is actually quite coherent and engaging. Where many of the summer’s blockbusters have disjointed plots, seemingly used to loosely link the numerous action sequences together, here the story is given time to unfold as relationships are formed and the complicated history of the family revealed. I certainly don’t want to exaggerate the qualities of the script, it is still rather clunky in places and fails to flesh out key characters but it does feel more cohesive than the majority of its competition this year.

The film fully embraces its Japanese setting, playing with the East-West cultural divide and throwing practically every Japanese cliché at the screen (from pachinko machines to love hotels, every possible thing associated with Japan gets a mention). It is also a film that deals with themes of honour and confronting demons whilst it is at pains to compare Logan to a masterless ronin. Whilst many of these references are clunky and superficially explored it still provides a welcome contrast with the film’s grizzled and uncultured hero.

It is a surprisingly sombre affair with the story being introspective in outlook. Logan is constantly haunted by his past actions whilst the family conflict also deals with secrets and misplaced loyalties. Throughout the film Wolverine is a wounded animal, both figuratively and literally, as he tries to save the girl and come to terms with the past. In his sixth screen outing we see him at his most vulnerable which allows Hugh Jackman to finally deliver some proper acting rather than simply snarling and repeatedly saying ‘Bub’. This is definitely the best effort yet at getting to understand the character even if it labours on its point a little too much (a few less Jean Grey hauntings wouldn’t have gone amiss too).

Logan discovers the will to live again via his relationship with Mariko, the granddaughter he saves from an assassination attempt. Whilst the couple’s on-screen chemistry only occasionally sputters into life it is nice to see the relationship is integral to the story and not simply tacked-on to provide easy motivation for Logan. It also helps that Tao Okamoto is absolutely stunning so her continual presence was a welcome sight.

The film’s opening hour is undoubtedly stronger than its second half. It smartly blends the character moments with compelling action whilst keeping the story moving forward. James Mangold has always demonstrated an understanding of what makes an interesting action sequence and he uses this knowledge to good effect here. Although the set pieces are not as numerous as you might expect for a film of this kind it does feature a few standout moments, particularly a prolonged chase that results in Mariko and Logan going on the run. The action in this extended sequence is exciting, clear to follow and imaginatively staged as Wolverine fights his way through a series of yakuza henchman across the streets of Tokyo before a final showdown atop a speeding bullet train.

After such a frantic set piece the film slows down and, in truth, loses some of its momentum. After the opening hour the pacing becomes uneven whilst the plot gets bogged down with too many characters and antagonists. The curse of a limp finale appears to affect most modern blockbusters and unfortunately The Wolverine is no different as the final act descends into a bland and cgi-embellished face-off that fails to deliver a truly satisfying climax.

Despite its obvious failings I rather enjoyed The Wolverine. Although uneven, the story is engaging and it contains one of my favourite action scenes of the summer so far. Wolverine’s cinematic journey has been patchy and inconsistent but this certainly feels like a step in the right direction for one of Marvel’s most enduring creations. You do have to wonder what Darren Aronofsky would have done with the material though.

***

[sandman]

Great review LC, might go and see this today based on your excellent write up.

[Goose]

$55M in the US, and another $86M worldwide. They're saying the US figure is fairly soft as Origins: Wolverine made $86M during its first weekend. If figures hold, this will be the lowest opening weekend for an X-Men picture.

All that said, $55M is a pretty damn good start for a film budgeted at $120M.

[Steve McQueef]

Saw it last night and thought it was pretty damn good.

I was surprised by a couple of things.

1. It's a far funnier movie than I was expecting. I chuckled quite a few times, some great lines in there.

2. A fair amount of claret gets thrown around, for a 12 rated movie. Normally they digitally erase all that shit, but not here. Hurrah!

It's one of maybe two of this year's summer blockbusters that I look forward to watching again at home.

Coincidentally, Origins was on the TV in the kebab shop, I stopped at on the way home. I'd forgotten just how shite that actually was...*shudder*

[Verdigris Murder]

Are the fights done with long takes?

[Mr Cochese]

MINOR SPOILERS MAYBE

The Wolverine is the sequel to hit Halle Berry film X-Men the last stand and concerns the continuing adventures of minor character Ted "Theodore" Logan AKA The Wolverine (which is a sort of badger). X-Men films always have to start with a gritty historical scene, and this one is no different as we begin with The Wolverine saving a Japanese man from the atom bomb with a dustbin lid. Fortunately for the man Logan has been down a hole in the ground for weeks and therefore knows all about the radioactive fallout effects of America's top secret weapon, and so he survives to the present day which we reach via the medium of a jump cut.

Logan is in the forest and comes across a wounded bear, which is a kind of metaphor for The Wolverine. He is having flashbacks to his girlfriend from the previous films who he stabbed in the guts because she kept disintegrating people, and has completely lost his will to live. Fortunately, before we lose our will to live too he is quickly whisked off to the land of the rising sun by a sort of schoolgirl ninja and becomes embroiled in a complicated plot to steal his mojo.

The first half of the film rattles by quite well, with lots of characters and intriguing intrigue and stuff. There are even some amusing comic touches like Hugh Jackman being scrubbed with brooms before having his trademark Mugatu hairstyle restored. Because it's Japan all the characters are samurai or yakuza or ninjas so there's plenty of action and chases and whatnot.

One disappointment though was the mutant schoolgirl's precognition power. I figured they'd get around that using some clever writing, so did not really expect her power to just be a bit shit. The other woman shows more precognition by knowing when it is about to rain (though I think that might have just been an excuse to have sex with the Wolverine).

It's also about that point that you realise that the film has gone a bit boring, and it never really recovers from that. There are further twists and turns and the Wolverine gets his mojo back and so on, but there's no denying that the end is a bit weak.

I did like the big wink to Hugh's many gay fans at the end when he says "I love Eugene". That was pretty hot.

Also, the post credits bit is better than the actual film. Just when you think it can't get any more amazing PatStew runs a slalom in his wheelchair. The nextmen film can't come soon enough for this reviewer!

[Meh]

Well... at least his claws didn't look shit this time.

It was mostly quite boring, really - and the Viper character was such an utter load of piss.

[Delargey]

It was better than X3 and Orgins but weaker than 1st Class.

I think the order for me goes X2, 1st Class, X-men, The Wolverine, Orgins, then X3.

[Mr Ben]

Just got back from seeing this, and it was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. I still didn't like the "Jean" parts though, mainly as it kept reminding me of X3 and its god-awfulness.

[Sabreman]

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm now off to internet stalk the woman who plays the evil mutant.

[Sprite Machine]

The Wolverine is the sequel to hit Halle Berry film X-Men the last stand and concerns the continuing adventures of minor character Ted "Theodore" Logan AKA The Wolverine (which is a sort of badger).

Amazing!

[Mike]

Saw this tonight with a friend, he hated it.

I enjoyed it though, not the best film but not the worst either. The after credit scene was the best part

[Tunisia]

I enjoyed it, although I wouldn't say it was a particularly good film. Post-credits scene was, indeed, awesome. I quite liked

Viper; it was funny how, once she was revealed as a bad guy, rapidly devolved into wearing more and more comic-y outfits. Would have loved her to throw a Hydra reference in somewhere, though. Return of the bone claws could possibly be tricky in DoFP, I can't see them sticking with them for what was a pretty arbitrary plot point in a previous film.

[Smoothy]

Watched it. Very average. Pity - cos I loved the trailer.

EDIT: Viper/Madame Hydra - my GOD she was hot!

[therearerules]

I really enjoyed this. Except Viper gave me flashbacks to uma Thurmans poison ivy. Not cool.

[Broker]

Well, I'd heard that this was worse than X-Men 1, 2 and First Class but better than X3 and Origins. I was shocked to find that I loved almost everything about it. I liked the pace, the characters and all the action and sat happily enjoying the whole thing. Excessive Jean wasn't great and it could have been a bit more violent but pretty much everything else really worked for me.

Are they still pretending that a mutant cure wasn't introduced in X-Men III?

I know they want to ignore that film altogether, like a red-headed step-child and not be tied to series continuity, etc, but it still feels sloppy.

This was the first thing set after X3 right? There is absolutely zero mention of the cure, but there's also fuck all mutants.

[Kinketsu]

It's unfair but I did have trouble getting over the weird depection of Japan and Japanese people in the movie. I really wasn't expecting as much daft orientalism in it, the middle part was pretty much like You Only Live Twice. However, since the whole movie has a kind of 80s cheese about it, like bedding the foreign chick out of nowhere, not being able to understand other cultures, mad blue "night" cinematography, everyone being crazy aggressive etc it all seemed to matter less as it went on. Still loads of it didn't make sense. Like, she doesn't even look over 30, so they found Yukio rummaging in a factory bin in Nagasaki in the early 1990s?

The best bit by far is of course the Shinkansen bit, that is mental and stupid in all the right ways and the bit where he fakes the guy out is priceless.

This was the first thing set after X3 right? There is absolutely zero mention of the cure, but there's also fuck all mutants.

But the sword girl can see when people are going to die and the blonde/Viper type is a kind of lizardgirl?

[McCoy]

It's unfair but I did have trouble getting over the weird depection of Japan and Japanese people in the movie. I really wasn't expecting as much daft orientalism in it, the middle part was pretty much like You Only Live Twice. However, since the whole movie has a kind of 80s cheese about it, like bedding the foreign chick out of nowhere, not being able to understand other cultures, mad blue "night" cinematography, everyone being crazy aggressive etc it all seemed to matter less as it went on. Still loads of it didn't make sense. Like, she doesn't even look over 30, so they found Yukio rummaging in a factory bin in Nagasaki in the early 1990s?

The best bit by far is of course the Shinkansen bit, that is mental and stupid in all the right ways and the bit where he fakes the guy out is priceless.

But the sword girl can see when people are going to die and the blonde/Viper type is a kind of lizardgirl?

Perhaps they decided not to have the cure. It was optional after all.

[Kinketsu]

Yeah exactly, so I don't see it as a problem at all. But "There was fuck all mutants" seems a bit wrong, since there are at least three in the movie.