Origin stories are tricky creatures. Particularly when they serve as a prequel to an already successful series. Sure, the fan base is guaranteed, with an eagerness bordering on obsessiveness that must bring film execs a bit of comfort in these bleak financial times. And yet origin stories can so easily disappoint. Remember the heady anticipation surrounding Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace? Now recall being annoyed by Jar Jar Binks, confounded by the existence of midichlorians, and the near constant eye rolling at the bumbling efforts of baby Anakin.
X-Men may not inspire quite the fealty of Star Wars fans, however that’s not to say X-Men Origins: Wolverine isn’t hitting cinemas without hype and considerable expectation. But alas a certain air of disappointment – or, at the very least, exasperation – also seems to be accompanying the film’s release.
The fact is, Wolverine has been plagued with problems: most notably the uploading to the Internet of an almost complete work-print a few weeks back. Despite Fox News firing one journo who brazenly reviewed the film (and indeed, despite his positive review) and assuring the public the uploaded version was without key CGI and reshot material, that hasn’t stopped more than a million people downloading a copy. Then this article flitted across Twitter a few days ago confirming the work-print and the theatrical release are almost identical. And in breaking news Wolverine has been defeated by swine flu in Mexico. Yes, this film’s release is now literally plagued.
It may prove impossible not to let this colourful back-story and your Brian Singer-inspired hopes settle in next to you as you watch Wolverine. In which case, you’ll most certainly come away disappointed. The key to enjoying this film to take it for the light and salty popcorn entertainment that it’s no doubt intended to be.
Jumping past the somewhat perfunctory prologue, the slick and shamelessly stylised opening credits set us up for an enjoyable and action-packed romp with Wolverine. The war montage featured in the credits simply and effectively tells the story of two mutant brothers fighting side-by-side as they slowly drift apart. Hugh Jackman effortlessly reassumes the antiheroic mantle of Logan/Wolverine, while Liev Schreiber does his malevolent best as Logan’s brother Victor Creed (aka Sabretooth), transforming from a determined soldier to a fearless sadist.
The rest of the supporting cast, though underused, do similarly well. Danny Huston is particularly good as the precise and exacting Colonel Stryker, carrying out his own gruesome campaign of mutant eugenics. Unfortunately the screenplay relegates most of the characters to mere plot devices, or worse yet, vehicles for a Wolvie one-liner. The innumerable close-ups to Wolverine, eyebrow raised and nostrils flaring [cue: not so pithy one-liner here] do border on tiresome. He’s no Dirty Harry after all. But then again, these quips do help punctuate bouts of clunky exposition, so just go along for the ride and laugh along.
The opening reference to The Phantom Menace is an apt one, because for all its shortcomings, the film delivered an amazing, climactic lightsaber battle. Such is the technical and visual brilliance of this scene that it can almost erase Jar Jar from your memory. Now, without revealing too much, let’s just say the stakes are similar for the climax of Wolverine. The results, however, are far less successful. Unfortunately, the scene becomes the culmination of all the film’s faults: bad writing, bad editing, and all in all, not quite what we were hoping for.
Perhaps Chris Nolan’s sophisticated reimagining of Batman’s beginnings have spoilt us. Perhaps Nolan just makes it look too easy. Wolverine had the potential to be as dark and epic as Batman Begins; his story certainly warrants it. Instead, Wolverine is more a paint-by-numbers action flick. And though this might seem like damning the film with faint praise, this batch of paint makes for a really cool, stylish and engaging action flick.
Controversy and expectation aside, go and see Jackman cut the screen up, having a ball as Wolverine. Go and see his massively buff body run around taking hits and dealing out justice. Munch some popcorn and learn how Wolverine loved and lost, how he got his name, his claws and his bad attitude.
After all, he can’t remember anything…
Australian Release Date: 29 May 2009
Image – Brothers in Arms
Phantom Menace also boasts arguably the best song of the entire Star Wars series in Duel Of The Fates.
I really enjoyed X-men orgins much more than the firt X-men films, fantastic film, really gritty! Also want to give the game a go too!
Xmen Origins was my favourite film in the series to date. Much more gritty…less made for teen audience. I was surprised as I had come to expect pretty average films in the series before it.
This track reminds me of some track by another composer that I really liked … can’t quite remember which one is it :-/ someone know which track I am talking about?