THE WOLVERINE

Hugh Jackman is back and this time he isn’t just any old Wolverine, but the Wolverine a.k.a. Logan, a.k.a. James Howlett. This film begins following the events of the third X-Men movie. Here’s a quick recap of the muddled timeline of the X-Men movie universe. It all began with basically the prequel X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) in which we were shown Logan’s roots and how he lost his memory. Then in X-Men (2000) we see him reluctantly joining the team in return for Professor Xavier aiding him in regaining his lost memory. Part two X2 (2003) gave us a stronger story and more mutants. Part three X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) provided us with a weaker story and more mutants. Jean Grey kills Professor X and Logan ultimately kills Jean Grey. At the end of that movie Logan seemed to be recovering from the death of his ‘one true love,’ apparently that wasn’t the case. The start of The Wolverine finds Logan living in the back woods of the Yukon tormented by nightmares of Jean Grey. He is then whisked away to Japan in order to receive a final ‘thank you’ from an old dying man. A man who’s life Logan saved back in 1945, Nagasaki. Following his words of gratitude the old man dies and Logan finds himself acting as unwanted body guard to his granddaughter. The granddaughter is in danger of being killed by the Yakuza (Japanese Underworld) and Logan is in danger of mysteriously losing his healing power. And so the tale unfolds with much nonsense and confusion.

This film does not contain plot-holes, it contains plot-craters. I’ll highlight a few of these glaring errors without giving too much away. In the first Wolverine movie it is established that the metal adamantium is indestructible when solidified; an adamantium bullet can’t even pierce an adamantium skull. But in this film that law doesn’t apply. Nowhere in the past films was it even hinted that draining the blood or bone marrow of a mutant will deplete them of their powers, so how is that plausible in this film? The most blatant mistake for me is how Logan can remember a man whose life he saved way back in 1945 when it’s been well-known that he still hasn’t recovered his memory? Why did the main villain go through so much of needless commotion when more simple methods were available? What motivates the female villain Viper? When one question is answered three more pop up but none of the answers make sense. Believability of relationships is non existent. In the past three X-Men films, I really didn’t see anything that made me believe Jean Grey is the love of Logan’s life. Similarly I see absolutely no chemistry between Logan and his Japanese damsel-in-distress to constitute risking life and limb to save her. Likeability of these characters is also questionable, including Wolverine himself. Enough with the ‘reluctant hero’ routine; it has been overused in many comic book movies and this one is no exception.

The supporting actors might as well have been props on the set because none of them stand out. Hiroyuki Sanada from films such as The Last Samurai (2003) and Rush Hour 3 (2007) is underused and Famke Janssen just phones it in. Needless to say Hugh Jackman is the main course and everybody else are mere condiments. Jackman is physically and emotionally committed to the role; but he isn’t creatively dedicated. If he was, this film would not be the end product.

When you look at director James Mangold’s filmography it’s evident that he is the wrong choice for the job. Along with the two screenwriters, the three producers (Hugh Jackman, being one of them), Mangold has turned what should have been an intelligent action film into a dull melodrama. Wolverine has battled Saber Tooth, Magneto and a genetically enhanced Deadpool so why is it so difficult to beat up a few Yakuza goons even with an ailing healing factor? With a multitude of mutants to choose from, why didn’t they feature more of them instead of just two measly mutants? The Nagasaki explosion and the fight on the bullet train are memorable but that’s about it. The incorrect continuity of events from movie to movie is beyond ridiculous. It proves the incompetence of the filmmakers and the film studio. When you include X-Men: First Class (2011), Hugh Jackman has played Wolverine in six films altogether. His seventh will be X-Men: Day of Future Past out in 2014. His portrayal of the character has gotten better but the stories have gotten worse. This film is a sorry excuse of a comic book movie and yet another forgettable X-Men flick. Professor X must be rolling in his grave, or maybe not!

Rating: 3/10
S. V. Fernando