'Wolverine' Review- A Look At Consequences
This was orginally released in 2013.
Director James Mangold brought us The Wolverine in 2013. It is the X-Men film that we all wanted and deserved. Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox delivered the second. Even though it is not a direct sequel, it follows X-Men: First Class.
After the death of Jean Gray (Famke Janssen) in X-Men: The Last Stand, Logan (Hugh Jackman) is living in isolation until he is found by Yukio (Rila Fukushima) on behalf of Japanese CEO Ichirō Yashida (Haruhiko Yamanouchi), whom Logan saved in World War 2. Yashida is dying of cancer and offers to take away Logan’s healing abilities.
Logan refuses, but Yashida’s private physician Dr. Green also known as Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova) implants something in Logan, who initially thinks it was a dream until he stops healing. When Yashida dies, Yakuza gangsters arrive to kidnap his granddaughter Mariko (Tao Okamoto), but Logan protects and goes on the run with her from villains who want control of her grandfather’s company.
This movie is the Wolverine film we had been waiting for. Mangold does a good job of crafting this tale. It is not just a comic book movie (as wonderful as they are), but a story about a man struggling with his own regret, decisions, and immortality. Jackman delivers the performance of a lifetime. He is superb and the setting in Japan is spot on.
I also enjoyed how this movie explores the consequences of Wolverine’s actions. He has nightmares after he had to end the life of Jean Grey, haunting him in a spiritual sense. He also faces the consequences of helping someone and how even that simple act of kindness can have repercussions.
Of course, Hugh Jackman fits right back into the role like a glove. He certainly has a mastery of Logan and I am glad we got to see the character’s ties to Japan explored in this movie.
Bottom line, The Wolverine is an excellent film. It has the perfect blend of cinematic expression and comic book nods to keep everyone happy.
FAVORITE QUOTE: As I told you a long time ago, you are not the only one with gifts.
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Violence, Foul language
Check out the trailer below:
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or anime you would like me to review.