Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Revenge & Betrayal - An X-Men Origins Wolverine Movie Review

The origin of the X-Men saga revolved around Wolverine's story, his supernatural healing powers, and how he acquired his adamantium claws. Hugh Jackman once again reprises the leading role of Wolverine, this time not yet as an X-Men, but as the independent mutant.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine tried to stay true to the general tone of the X-Men comic books but made it as its own by injecting minor twists and turns to make the story more interesting and being successful at that.

Together with brother Victor Creed (Sabretooth), Agent Zero (Daniel Henney), Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), Bradley (Dominic Monaghan) and other mutants, they formed Team X led by William Stryker (Danny Houston).
Moreover, the story played with the emotions of the different characters from the basic familial instincts between Logan and his brother as played by Liev Schreiber. In more than enough scenes, it showcased how the two complemented and contradicted each other. Needless to say, the fighting scenes were complicated and technically praiseworthy.

The first bite of betrayal came when death met schoolteacher Kayla Silverfox, played by Lynn Collins. She was Wolverine's love interest. The incident begotten revenge that led to the answers of many of Logan's questions.

But the most essential emotional circus is that of his own. Logan, who eventually became Wolverine, was not really resolved as to who he is or who/what he should be. It was an internal battle of his own animal or his human side.


Many a mutants were also introduced from the sidelines such as the eye-blasting Cyclops, Quciksilver, Iceman, and the Gambit (Taylor Kitsch).

There was one technical glitch though towards the end. In a scene where the mutants were running away from the 'island' and was about to load a helicopter, the CGI rendition was a failure. I can't believe it passed through production because for such an untrained eye such as mine, I was able to see it; much more by them.
The movie can be considered a not-too-distant prequel from the past three X-Men movies. It was able to give more justice and somehow explain Wolverine's nature and attitude in the three X-Men movies. On the other hand, the upcoming sequel is something to be looked forward to as how things would further develop and complicate.
Aside from the heart pounding action scenes, the movie is a great watch with visually stunning effects, awesome stunts and interesting story twists. Directed by Gavid Hood and produced by Ralph Winter, it is not only for the comic-book or X-Men fans created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby but for the action-loving genre altogether.

A film brought to you by Twentieth Century Fox, watch X-Men Origins Wolverine in the big screen, opening May 1, 2009 in Philippine Theaters.

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