X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Cast: Hugh Jack man, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, Ryan Reynolds
Dir: Gavin Hood
Rating: 3/5
Leading up to the events of X-Men, X-Men Origins: Wolverine tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program.
Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new.
After the below par X-Men: The Last Stand, which really let down the whole franchise, it was always risky taking on a spin off but Wolverine really doesn't disappoint.
Wolverine is one of the greatest comic characters of all time and it's great to see Hugh Jack man back in the part that made him a star as he easily slips back into the role like a pair of old comfy trainers.
Jack man dominates the screen in every scene that he is in as he tries to settle down before going on a rampage for revenge. He really makes this movie from the action sequences to his witty one liners as he displays a huge amount of animal magnetism and inner anger.
His on screen relationship with brother Victor, played Liev Schreiber, is also full of electricity, it's great to see the more accomplished Schreiber in the role rather than Tyler Mane reprise the role.
The pair do battle from the off as Logan becomes more and more uncomfortable with Victor's ability to kill at will, and seeming to enjoy it. But the bond between brothers remains strong as they both struggle trying to kill the other.
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Despite introducing a string of new characters in the form of Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), Agent Zero (Daniel Henney), Wraith (Will.i.am), Fred J. Dukes (Kevin Durand), and Bradley (Dominic Monaghan) they are all sadly underused as the film focuses on the central relationships of Wolverine, Victor and Stryker.
Although Reynolds' return at the end of the film is brilliant, and a little bit creepy. However it's the big screen debut of the character Gambit that has caused the most excitement after being left out of the X-Men movie entirely.
Played by relative unknown Taylor Kitsch the character of Gambit arrives in the X-Men universe with a bang, exploding playing cards and all, roll on future appearances for this character as a more in-depth look at this character, my personal favourite in the cartoon, would be nice.
While many will complain that this time of year is full of movies heavily reliant on special effects they really drive this fast and furious film that doesn't pause for breath from the opening minutes to the closing credits.
However there are a few moments of dodgy CGI, that really come a surprise as you would expect the high quality of effects to be present all the way through the movie.
And while the movie doesn't pause for a moment at times you just feel that filmmaker Gavin Hood is trying to cram too much story into the film. This is Hood's first big budget blockbuster, and you have got to applaud him for producing a great movie, but you have to wonder what the likes of Bryan Singer would have done with it.
In all X-Men Origins: Wolverine does exactly what is says on the tin it's fast it's explosive and Hugh Jack man is totally brilliant.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is out on DVD now.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw