X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

So here's the first big summer movie of 2009... and not a bad one. The title, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, suggests that the franchise might make further movies focusing on one of the main characters from the previous X-Men movies. Of course they started with the most popular, Wolverine. I must say that while the movie isn't perfect, it is better than the other X-Men movies I've seen. This one is a little darker and that's what I prefer amongst these movies based on comic books. I can do without the cheesy Spider-Man crap.

Just like the Watchmen movie, this one has a very cool opening credits sequence. In fact, the whole first 20 minutes or so after those credits are fantastic. The beginning of the film shows how both Wolverine (played by Hugh Jackman again) and his brother Victor (played by Liev Schreiber) are mutants as they each have variations on very sharp nails that can emerge from their hands when angry, or as needed. They use their power as soldiers in war, but Logan (his name before adapting "Wolverine") starts to notice his brother abusing his powers and going way too far. They are both recruited to work with a team of other mutants to handle special operations in which they believe to be helping people. But once Logan notices that the team in general takes things too far, he decides to quit and live a reclusive life where they can't find him.

That's basically the first 20 minutes and I wish it had kept the same tone. It was pretty cool to see each of the team's members showcase their abilities. Once the film switches gears and focuses on Wolverine without the team it seems to be missing something. I think it's that the main character is simply not that interesting on his own. I mean there are much cooler powers then growing long nails. Logan falls in love with a woman while on his own and she helps give him the name Wolverine. As his brother becomes demonstratively more evil, he becomes an enemy of Wolverine. Victor is known as Sabretooth. The main dynamic of the movie is the relationship between the two brothers. You kind of want them to make amends and unite in order to use their powers for the better good once again. This is what held my interest throughout the film. Although I did wish that some of the other original team members, played by such people as Ryan Reynolds and Will.i.am, would have had more screentime. Altogether the story is pretty interesting. At times I just wish it was shot better and maybe didn't have a hokey look to it. There are parts where it's obvious there is a completely fake background behind the characters. I think a touch of realism sometimes helps in these superhero movies. But overall it was a good summer flick that most people should enjoy.