Movie Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

By Justin Velasquez
May 2, 2009

It has been a long three years since the third installment of the X-Men film trilogy was released.  Wolverine, easily the most popular and most admired character of the films and of the historic comic book series, finally has a film of his own.  In this entertaining spinoff, the world will finally be able to witness the superhero's story and struggle.

In what is a prequel to the X-Men films, director Gavin Hood (Tsotsi) creates a dark and brutal film that depicts Wolverine's ongoing fight with himself and his animalistic nature, and also explores his early personal battle against William Stryker (Danny Huston, HBO's John Adams), the villain with more than a slight distaste for mutants.  

Hugh Jackman reprises his role that made him a worldwide star (and he also serves as the film's producer) and it's evident that he is fully invested in the character.  The film also tackles Wolverine's relationship with Victor Creed (a.k.a. Sabretooth), Wolverine's half-brother and this time around portrayed by Liev Schreiber (Scream and Defiance). 

At the center of the film is the story of the infamous Weapon X program, the clandestine organization that Logan (a.k.a. Wolverine) was a part of and the reason how Wolverine's skeleton was bonded with adamantium, the indestructible metal alloy.  In the film both Logan and Victor are seen living through many eras and fighting in many major wars.  They have been on the run since they were young boys but the government, realizing their special abilities, finally caught up with them.  Stryker presents to them two options, either an eternity in prison or the other, the latter being their participation in Team X, a special CIA black ops group.  

Within Team X they are allied with other mutants, namely David North a.k.a. Agent Zero (newcomer Daniel Henney); Barnell Bohusk a.k.a. Beak (Dominic Monaghan, ABC's Lost and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy); Frederick J. Dukes a.k.a. Blob (Kevin Durand, 2004's Walking Tall); John Wraith a.k.a. Kestrel (Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am) and the wisecracking Wade Wilson a.k.a. Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds, Van Wilder and Blade: Trinity).  Quickly fed up with Team X's violent nature, Wolverine goes against his primal tendencies and quits in an effort to lead a quiet and peaceful life.  Working as a logger and living with the beautiful Kayla (Lynn Collins, HBO's True Blood), his past unfortunately catches up with him as Victor finds the couple and kills Kayla.  Seeking revenge, Wolverine briefly enlists Stryker's help and agrees to Weapon X.  Little does Wolverine know that things are not what they seem and as he searches for Victor the truth that precedes him is made known, and it may be too much for him to handle.

Borrowing from Barry Smith's 1991 Weapon X story and the Frank Miller/Chris Claremont collaboration of the 1982 Wolverine limited series, screenwriter David Benioff (writer for The Kite Runner) is able to create a character piece about Wolverine that is complex and layered.  Thanks to Hood's direction all the different pieces fit and what is on display here is a very entertaining film.  

Wolverine, whose popularity in the comics world is arguably eclipsed by only Spider-Man, Batman and Superman, is depicted very well and his dark reputation works reminiscent of The Dark Knight (although this Hood's film is not quite as dark and compelling).  His inner conflict is conveyed well by Jackman and his rigorous workout regimen he reportedly took part in pays off.  The special effects are incredible while the action scenes are also impressive.  

The one drawback is the caliber of acting coming from the film's supporting players.  It's not great but for a big-budget action film like this it will suffice.  Overall this early entry in the 2009 summer movie bonanza has set the bar high and I believe filmgoers, Wolverine fans or not, will be impressed with this gritty take on the mutant superhero.

3 Stars out of Four