X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

Allow me to preface this review with a disclosure. I am not a fanboy. I do not have years of comic history on which to base my love of this character. What I do have... is the memory and love of the old Fox Saturday animated series, X-Men {newly released to DVD, last week, I believe}. I have that and that is all I need to cherish the quorum of mutants. Wolverine is near and dear simply because of the character complexity--yes, even in the cartoon one could sense it. With Hugh Jackman's continued evolution of the character, my admiration for Wolverine remains.

So, let's get to it... WARNING: potential spoilers present!!

The film is a prequel of sorts for the X-Men films of recent history. Here, we explore the man, James/Logan (Hugh Jackman) behind the animal, Wolverine. The film exposes the early history of William Stryker (Danny Huston), Sabretooth/Victor Creed (brilliantly played by Liev Schreiber) and other evens that shaped his adamantium skeleton. We learn simply what many of us already believed: Wolverine is a man shaped by loss, grief, and anger. It's the death of his school-teacher girlfriend that is the catalyst for the action onslaught.

I can't imagine a better opening to the summer movie season than X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It is everything you want in a summer movie and fortunately, director Gavin Hood balances the elements nicely. As with most movies like this, don't expect an intricate plot. Sure, I'd have preferred a LOTR-esque screen time, but I'm more than satisfied with Hood's allotted running time.

Casting was brilliantly executed. Jackman stands strong in his role as Wolverine. The seemingly organic origin of Wolverine's skeleton was thoughtful. Jackman's subtle and often cheeky delivery as the multi-faceted character is a pleasure to watch. Wolverine is inherently decent, but wickedly troubled and Hugh Jackman OWNS him.

Liev Schreiber is spot-on as Creed {and really had me wanting an origin story of his own.} The love/hate chemistry between Jackman and Scheiber is palpable. The few scenes in which the brothers actually converse are filled with great dialogue.

It's in the supporting cast that I was most flummoxed and sometimes, nicely so. Ryan Renyold's turn as Wade Wilson/Deadpool was annoyingly fun. Will.i.am as John Wraithe was a distraction--loved his character, but the ever-present Will.i.am was truly disconcerting. Archvillian Colonel William Stryker played by Danny Huston is characteristically evil.

Aw... Remy LeBeau... Gambit (Taylor Kitsch) looms surprisingly larger that expected. While Gambit gets a small scene in which to showcase his mutant talent {manipulation of kinetic energy which turns any object into a potentially lethal weapon--but you DID know that}, he gets more dialogue that necessary. I was really torn here because I wanted more of Kitsch' Gambit.

Director Hood knows what he's doing and delivers most aspects well. The overall timeline of the film works. He showcases Three Mile Island and the Weapon X trials, touches on the young mutants that are to become Prof. X's students, highlights Stryker's vendetta, and lays groundwork for untold spin-offs.

Action sequences quickly escalate to Defcon-One whether between Wolverine and Creed, Wolverine and Gambit, Wolverine and, well... everyone else. They are predictable and thoroughly entertaining. But the wheels of Hood's vehicle are often threaten by lack-luster CGI. What?! ILM wasn't available?! Wolverine's adamantium cutlery isn't always a sharp as needed, but fortunately, the film distracts us at its worst--save for the visit with Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Oh wait, wrong movie.

As I see it, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is exactly what you want for the summer: entertainment. It fits well within the film canon {X3-Xcluded}. It enhances the character and delivers summer thrills.