REVIEW: The Wolverine

I hadn't watched an X-Men movie in years, I vaguely remember being a fan of the cartoon when it still aired on television so it was with a little trepidation that I "allowed" Le Boyfriend to choose the last movie we went to see. (Not entirely true - I've always been a sucker for a topless Hugh Jackman - about the only good thing to come out of Australia besides Quade Cooper.)

Luckily for me the plot was basic enough to follow without having had to watch the previous films, although it would be recommended for the subtle references and "secret" after the credits ending.

Wolverine's life of self-imposed isolation and detachment is interrupted when someone from his past sends a messenger to summon Wolverine to the dying man's bedside. Wolverine makes the journey to Japan where he discovers the old man is now one of the richest and most powerful men in the country and intends to make his granddaughter his sole heir, placing her in mortal danger. Wolverine is conflicted when he has the opportunity to do something he has only ever dreamed about - is this the end of his suffering?

The director, James Mangold (Girl Interrupted, Walk the Line) did the best with what he was given it seems - a superhero movie with a hero trying to find himself again - but something just feels amiss with the final product. Originally, Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) was supposed to be at the helm. I can't help but think that this would've given the movie that darkness it needed to shake off the PG-13 Age Restriction...

The movie had a good storyline it just gave the feeling that it wasn't "going to go all the way" and be jump-out-your-seat amazing. The focus on martial arts and sword-fighting was a welcome relief from these days over-used CGI fighting scenes. Also, the predominantly unknown Japanese cast held their own alongside Jackman.

All-in-all it is an ok-ish film, avid fans will probably disagree and love it completely, especially since it apparently sticks very closely to the original comic book story. It's not a bad film, it's just not that particularly great either.