I just got back from an early release screening of The Wolverine, and I couldn't be happier. For the most part, they got it right. Hugh Jackman reprises the role of the adamantium clawed title character once again, and he is simply awesome as Logan. I really believe that Jackman has become the heart of the X-Men franchise for Marvel, as his all of his appearances throughout 6 feature films have been fantastic. The guy looks the part, and his depth of range, adds a credibility to the character that draws the audience into the story. Logan is an enigma that we can't help wanting to more about. For once, this film chooses to focus on what lies ahead for Wolverine, as opposed to his past. The first Origin movie made the mistake of trying to tie up his origin story with a pretty little bow, and wound uo being campy and over the top, where as most of this film doesn't feel like a super hero movie. And, as much as I love the genre, that is a good thing.
The story begins with Wolverine in a Japanese POW camp during World War 2 where he saves the life of a Japanese Officer, Yashida. Flash Forward to present day. Wolverine is living like a hermit in the mountains, with a Mountain Man beard and wild hairdo. We soon learn that these events are taking place after the death of Jean Gray, so after X-Men: The Last Stand, which is important an important factor. Logan is still haunted by the death of Jean, and has chosen to remove himself from society, rather than be forced to continue a struggle for which he has lost his heart.
He is soon tracked down by agents of Yashida, who is now on his death bed and finds himself whisked off to Japan to pay his final respects. I was honestly expecting a lot more focus on the samurai code of honour that Wolverine follows, but instead the film bypassed that in favour of getting right down to the meat of the plot. Yashida's grand daughter, Mariko, is being threatened by the Yakuza, and Yashida himself wants to offer Logan a deal that seems to good to be true.
The action scenes in this film are fast paced, brutal and gritty. Wolerine isn't afraid to pop his claws and fricassee his opponents. After all, he is the best there is at what he does, and what he does isn't very nice.
There are a couple of sub plots that nicely tie together the uniqueness of Japanese culture, and the whole mutant influence factor, all of which lead back to the central focus, which while easily mistaken for the relationship of Logan and Mariko, is actually Logan's struggle with himself, and his acceptance of the great responsibility that comes with his particular gifts.
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I was actually kind of surprised at how little combat there was in the movie, typically wolverine is on the front lines slugging it out with the baddies, but in this film, due to certain circumstances, Jackman doesn't have the same kind of violent drive that has characterized his appearances in the other X-Men films. Don't get me wrong, there are some great fight scene, it just isn't as big a hack and slash film as I was expecting.
I was happy that The Silver Samurai made an appearance, even if I wasn't entirely thrilled with exactly how he was dealt with...
I really don't want to give away too many spoilers, but I can't help myself from saying that fans of the series will need to stick around for the teaser scene buried in the credits. It is a real gem, and it gives away some key information for the Upcoming X-Men film Days of Future Past which hits theaters next season. There is one revelation in particular that will make fans of the series VERY Happy. Let the count down begin!
