The Wolverine (2013)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

James Mangold

Country

USA | UK

Cast

Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Brian Tee, Will Yun Lee, Famke Janssen, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen

Plot

In modern day Japan, vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality.

Opinion

Finally someone - director James Mangold and writers Scott Frank and Mark Bomback - decided to take the Wolverine series seriously.

The Wolverine is an interesting, thrilling and brilliant standalone film, way better than its predecessor. The story is well-written, and more complex and thoughtful than it was before: while in X-Men Origins: Wolverine the story explained his past, this film is an excellent character study and well-represented Logan's personal struggles.

The film has a big samurai made of adamantium, and that's really awesome as it sounds. The spectacular action is mostly filled with intense fight scenes. The cinematography is a little above average. The villains - yes, there are more than one - are fine, each with their own compelling motivation.

Hugh Jackman still does an incredibly good job with his Wolverine, and the chemistry he has with Tao Okamoto, who plays Mariko, makes the love story more realistic.

Quotes

Logan: What do you want?

Magneto: There are dark forces, Logan. Human forces building a weapon that could bring about the end of our kind. What do I want? I want your help.

Logan: Why would I trust you?

Magneto: You wouldn't.

Charles Xavier: Hello, Logan.

Logan: How is this possible?

Charles Xavier: As I told you a long time ago, you are not the only one with gifts.

Logan: Don't hurt my friends!