X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

2.5 out of 4

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Lynn Collins, Taylor Kitsch, Ryan Reynolds

Directors: Gavin Hood

Time: 107 mins

Viewed: Regal Marlboro 8, New Jersey

The first movie in the 2009 summer movie season features arguably the most popular X-Men character, Wolverine (Jackman, reprising his role from the X-Men trilogy) in his own origin tale. Spanning the years from 1845 to about a decade before the events in the first X-Men, the film shows Wolverine's evolution from a soldier (in several wars) to a reluctant mercenary as a member of Colonel Stryker's (Huston) covert Team X, and finally to the animalistic anti-hero with the indestructible adamantium claws. Alongside him for the journey are his brother, Victor (Schreiber) and, later, his one true love, Kayla (Collins), as well as encounters with several fan favourites like Gambit (Kitsch) and Deadpool (Reynolds). Drably shot film makes even the "Canadian" wilderness seem dull, but there is plenty of action and special effects to satisfy summer moviegoers. However, aside from the initial assault on a Nigerian compound, there aren't many moments when one might exclaim, "Cool!", especially given this is set in the X-Men universe. And even worse, Reynolds seemingly does more wisecracking than the titular character, who is known for his one-liners! Still, Jackman's charisma and Schreiber's maniacal intensity make the film at least watchable, if not a great entry in the superhero movie canon.

(c) Joe Wong (2 May 2009)