X-Men Origins: Wolverine - 3 out of 4 Stars

Who Would Love This Movie: Comic book lovers, people with a crush on Hugh Jackman, or adrenaline junkies

Best Mood to Walk In With: Excited to see big explosions or amorous for beefed up males

Don't See This Movie If: You want a story based in realism or if the only reason you like the X-Men franchise is for the not-so-subtle social/political commentary


This movie took me back to the days of adolescence. If I had a locker, I would plaster it with pictures of Hugh Jackman from this movie. I'm pretty sure anyone attracted to men would consider X-Men Origins: Wolverine not just a movie with eye candy, but a literal 9-course feast of Hugh Jackman.

Luckily, the movie itself is pretty good for those of you not into guys or Hugh Jackman (impossible!). For X-Men fans like myself, the story of Wolverine's "creation" is interesting and solidly delivered. Like many big action flicks, the special effects are big and at times cheesy (think of the scene from the trailer where Wolverine is running in slow motion with a huge fiery explosion erupting behind him). But if you're willing to suspend your sense of reality enough to accept that the main character has blades coming out of his hands, then you should be able to sit back and enjoy the big blasts and outrageous fight scenes.

The intro to the movie was great. Also, I was very impressed with the style used during the battles through the ages montage at the beginning. As each battle moves into the next, the shots freeze a little, definitely catching the comic book aspect of the movie. There is this one awesome 360 shot where Logan and Victor are surrounded by soldiers and the camera circles them as they hold their characters' traditional fight stances. (LOVED it!) However, after the beginning sequences, there is not much homage paid to the comic book style as seen in the vivid colors of the Spiderman franchise and the swift editing of the Batman franchise's fight scenes.

As for the acting, I was very pleased with Hugh Jackman's performance. Yes, I enjoyed his numerous shirtless scenes, but really a nice chest can only get you so far (think Matthew Mcconaughey, wah wah). Jackman and Liev Schreiber make a great team and really play well off each other. Schreiber, a reputably kind man and loving father, is very convincing as a vengeful, violence-loving mutant and his snarls scared me a little to be honest. The child actors playing Wolverine and Saber Tooth as kids were great. They did a wonderful job mimicking the older actors. Everyone else's performances were adequate, but not really worth mentioning.

Keep Your EARS Closed For: Victor Creed running his claw down a car...worse than nails on a chalkboard!
Keep Your Eyes Open For: Victor leaping through battle on D-Day and up through enemy lines.

Overall, a very fun movie. People who loved the previous X-Men movies should really enjoy this installment, and those who know nothing about Wolverine or X-Men can get into the movie without prior knowledge. And, for the record, Wolverine could kick Freddy Krueger's butt any day...

Movies are Life. ~ K