Let me start by saying that I have been pretty indifferent about this movie ever since I heard it was being made. While X-Men: The Last Stand wasn't as terrible as some think it is, the whole cinematic X-Men universe really peaked at X2, and sadly, Wolverine does little to recapture the magic. That said, it's not a terrible movie (especially if you're paying a matinee price), so I can comfortably give it a mild recommendation to anyone who enjoys Hugh Jackman and/or the Wolverine character.
I do have a few gripes: The special effects look sub-par...especially, for some reason, Wolverine's metal claws, which don't look like real, tangible weapons but rather a digital add-on. (Seems like producers would splurge to get that one effect right, seeing as how it's pretty much the most important trait of Wolverine's character.) The romance between Wolverine and his lady-friend just happens--no build-up, no development--suddenly it was just there. And yet the romance plays a huge part in what happens to Wolverine's character. (Seems like producers would have allowed a few more minutes to make that relationship seem more genuine.)
Finally, my biggest complaint is that this movie doesn't really cover enough new ground so as to warrant its existence in the X-Men movie canon. I mean, we already know this story (at least with the Star Wars prequels, we didn't know how or why Anakin went to the dark side...). And with the exception of a few new faces that helped make Wolverine into the Wolverine we know, the whole movie itself feels superfluous. Didn't producers notice that their entire production is simply a lengthier retelling of something we already saw onscreen just a few short years ago?
It's really great to have the summer movie season upon us, and Wolverine definitely isn't the worst movie ever to open the summer season (an honor that goes to another Hugh Jackman film, the laughable Van Helsing). But even as harmless as this movie is, I can't imagine that moviegoers will be lining up for Wolverine: Episode II anytime soon. (**1/2 out of four)
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3 comments:
just saw it and i have to agree with you special effects comment, the claws, at times, look like some hack just added them on in photoshop, esp. the scene where he is looking at them in the mirror.
I know I am in the minority here, but I liked it. I'll agree that his claws (especially in the mirror scene as noted above) were awkward, but not bad. As far as the romance is concerned, because the movie jumps right into the middle of Wolverine's relationship, I did not mind the no-build-up aspect. However, that said, the relationship was very predictable: Wolverine tries to escape his dark past - falls in love - dark past finds him and ... you can probably guess what happens to his girlfriend which causes him to confront his dark past again.
It was not strictly consistent with the little we know of Wolverine’s past from X-Men 1, 2 & 3. However, if the movie would have ended with Wolverine waking up with amnesia right after the adamantium surgery, it would have been a pretty short and disastrous film.
Tons and tons and tons of action, which was a little much even for me. For the next twenty minutes after leaving the theater only with difficulty could I string two words together.
Overall, I liked it. The general feel was a little different than the other X-Men movies - a little darker and Wolverine much angrier with almost no sense of wit or humor.
The critics have been severe with this movie. While I agree the movie was not perfect (or even as great as X-Men II), I was much more forgiving of the perceived "plot holes" and other "follies" of the film.
We saw it in Cali last week... no kids and wanted to see a good flick. It was nice to relax (the only people in the theater) and just enjoy the show. I would probably have the same complaints as you, and would give it 3 stars. But Hugh Jackman was fun to watch... nonetheless!
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