Review: X-MEN Origins: Wolverine

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE comes on the heels of a stellar year (in fact the greatest year) of comic book based films in history. 2008 brought us THE DARK KNIGHT and IRON MAN. In some ways, it showed us how high a comic book film could aim. WOLVERINE is the first of the big films this year (I put WATCHMEN in its own category separate from the typical comic book formula). The strange thing is that it appears Marvel and Fox did not see IRON MAN or THE DARK KNIGHT or at least they didn’t understand them.

I liked X-MEN. I loved X-MEN 2. I was indifferent to X-MEN 3 but after later viewings started to realize how truly forgettable it is. It remains a huge missed opportunity and actually, the script ain’t bad. It is the directing that suffers here and I am even somewhat of an apologist for Ratner. The film was just not his “wheelhouse”. I absolutely hate DAREDEVIL. THE PUNISHER has two good scenes in an otherwise terrible film. The FANTASTIC FOUR 1 & 2 just don’t do it. They aren’t even fun to watch more than once. So by my count, Marvel doesn’t have a great track record. I am not going to talk about SUPERMAN or BATMAN because they are DC properties and I count them differently.

After watching WOLVERINE, it seems to me that Marvel is not good at hiring talent to match the property. Or maybe more accurately, Marvel’s films live or die by their director. Actually, I think Gavin Hood is a solid director. WOLVERINE seems to have more trouble in the script and character department than in the directing specifically. Whether this is directing or script, I’m not sure but I feel like the buck has to stop at Hood’s feet.

You can imagine a meeting with Hood and the screenwriters (David Benioff (THE KITE RUNNER) and Skip Woods (HITMAN)) to discuss the plot. I cringe at what might have been said. “Hey, we have to introduce at least 5 new mutants into this storyline.” Gavin would say, “But what about the continuity with the other films, I thought this was supposed to be set in the 1970’s for most of the film?” Then someone would say, “Awe, forget that. None of the fans probably even saw those other films so we can completely change the characters and ignore huge plot holes. We just have to have a lot of explosions and new mutants introduced.” You get the idea…

I really like Hugh Jackman. I think he’s a great guy and I want so much for him to be successful. The film is doing well at the Box Office this weekend coming in about $80 million which is about $18 million shy of IRON MAN’s debut last year on this weekend but still shows that the WOLVERINE name brings in the masses. Unfortunately, this will cause the “George Lucas Syndrome” of “hey, it makes money so it must be great!” It will teach the studio nothing. It will have a sharp drop off in business next week but it will have done its job and made its money.

Liev Shreibner (THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE) is one of the few who really shines. His take on Sabertooth is really cool. He totally embraces the bad and brings a lot of charisma to the role. I’ve always liked Shreibner. He was a great casting choice. Jackman can be strong too but he has barely a one dimensional character written for him. There is just nothing there. He does the best he can with his snarls and growls and scrunched up faces but that’s the extent of it.

Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool is very good. He is a lot of fun and nails the character. Then they totally destroy what makes him cool (namely his attitude and dialog). It is so disappointing that the entire film starts to buckle under the weight.

Kevin Durand as the Blob actually works but is given nothing to work with as well and about 5 minutes of screen time. Gambit is one of the biggest disappointments. First of all, I’ve never understood the fan obsession with Gambit. He is one of the lamest characters in the X-MEN lore. Throwing things that can explode? What kind of mutation could cause that? It makes no sense. His Cajun accent is overblown. He just doesn’t interest me. That being said, if you are going to put him in the movie (because fans are demanding it) then at least be true to him. Instead we get Taylor Kitsch doing the worst accent since ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES, trying to kill Wolverine and then becoming friends and then stepping out of the film as fast as he came in. Just like most of the mutants in this, there is no point except a few lines of dialog and a cameo or two.

Let me say one more thing about special effects. This is where the true indictment of Hood and his collaborators really shows. Many of the effects look barely animatic quality. I’m talking terrible here! They supposedly paid more than 100 million for these effects and honestly, films with half the budget look better. Fire this effects studio! Even people who don’t usually notice things like this could tell. It’s that bad. I’m sad to say there were scenes that were borderline laughable and not just because they were ridiculous, it was the effects!

I’m not a huge Wolverine fan in general. He’s an ok character and I was excited for the film but I have to have something beyond average. This barely meets that bar. Looks like Jon Favreau is going to have to carry Marvel’s water for now.