Movie Review: THE WOLVERINE (2013)

Logan is isolating himself up in the Yukon as he is filled with regret of having to kill Jean Grey (in X-MEN: THE LAST STAND) and he is found by Yukio (Rilo Fukushima) with a request from a dying Japanese businessman that Logan saved in World War 2 Japan. Logan reluctantly takes a trip to Japan with Yukio where he finds not everything is as it seems. The dying businessman, Ichiro Yashida, says he can make Logan mortal and protect his granddaughter Mariko from his enemies that want her dead. Soon Ichiro is dead and Logan is attending the man's funeral when the Yakuza try to kidnap Mariko. Logan rescues her and she takes him to the place where it began for Logan and Ichiro. Their relationship blossoms as Logan tries to figure why he isn't healing like normal. Meanwhile, the Yakuza and others begin searching for Mariko and Logan as Yukio seeks to be with Logan as his bodyguard.

THE WOLVERINE is loosely based on the four issue comic book mini-series written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Frank Miller. It is a vast improvement over X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE. It is a more introspective look at what makes Logan/ Wolverine tick. There is some good character development for Logan as he tries to find a reason to go on as he is haunted by the ghost of Jean Grey in his dreams. Mariko and Yukio are strong Japanese female characters without trying to make them the victims or anime them up. The setting of Japan brings something different to the character of Wolverine (even though the movie is shot in Australia and Japan where previously attached Darren Afronosky was going to shoot the movie more in Japan). Hugh Jackman is excellent in this sequel to the weak Wolverine origin movie or a follow-up to X-MEN: THE LAST STAND. The mostly Japanese cast is also wonderfully directed by James Mangold in addition to a good score by Marco Beltrami.

The only thing that doesn't quite work in THE WOLVERINE is the climatic fight and reveal of the Silver Samurai. At least, it isn't as bad as the fight between Logan and Nu-Deadpool in X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE. I love the chemistry between Famke and Hugh in the dream sequences and Logan's hallucinations of Jean. You also have to stay for the teaser scene for X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST during the end credits. I enjoyed this movie and I feel THE WOLVERINE is the type of movie on the character of Logan/ Wolverine the first movie failed to be and should have been. It is definitely a movie to rewatch in theaters and see on Blu-ray over and over.

this movie review is (c)7-28-2013 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com