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Instead, Wolverine favors a typical story of the reformed anti-hero (gangster, thief, super-soldier, etc.) who can't seem to escape the sins of his past. A plot like this requires emotional investment on the audience's part, to create sympathy and a rooting interest in their pursuit of justice and ultimately their salvation. But how many times can they show Wolverine screaming at the heavens (with claws extended, naturally) and hope to elicit pathos rather than self-parody?

Much as I love this character, I stopped caring halfway through the film. That's because the film is concerned less with storytelling and more with obligatory action … and its own franchising. For sure, there are some cool special effects and action sequences, plus a few plot surprises and even some fun cameos. But the action becomes all too repetitive as Wolverine and Sabretooth engage in at least three stab-and-slash fights. It also denigrates into one of those B-level superhero movies where visual effects eventually overwhelm the plot. The filmmakers are most in love with the endless parade of characters and cameos—it's all about the superpowers, apparently. Too often, characters are introduced, demonstrate their ability once or twice, and then move on.

Claws! Nails! Muscles! Smoke! Action!

Take Gambit, one of the coolest mutants in the franchise. The ragin' Cajun's cinematic debut has been hotly anticipated since movie No. 1, but with just a few minutes of screen time, he's merely a pimped-out side character cameo. The same could be said for Cyclops, whose appearance is only justified by the surprise cameo that follows him.

Oh, and the movie offers plenty of winks to further potential sequels and spinoffs that Fox would love to launch (including another post-credits easter egg that will leave non-fans scratching their heads). Hardcore fans may geek out over this stuff, but it's bound to leave most viewers at least a little disappointed. Advice to Fox: take your time in introducing and developing characters. It seems like that would increase the number of films that could be made—and films more worthy of our time, for that matter.

Despite clunky dialogue, repetitive action, and clichéd plot points, Wolverine isn't unwatchable, but at best, it's merely serviceable summer blockbuster eye candy. I want to love it more because of its brawn, but it lacks the brain and heart of better comic book movies (like 2008's Iron Man and The Dark Knight). Sorry to say it, but Wolverine's once sharp claws are wearing dull in this one.

Talk About It

1. Is Logan/Wolverine justified in his quest for revenge/justice? Why or why not? Do you agree with him that he didn't have a choice? Is Travis Hudson (the old farmer) correct in saying that a man who seeks blood will only find blood?
   
   
2. Logan's healing power allows him to age more slowly and live longer. Do you think this is a blessing or a curse?
   
   
3. Logan and Victor have similar powers, but use them quite differently. What does this say about how we choose to use our own gifts/talents? What defines how we use or misuse what has been given to us?
   
   
4. One character tells Logan that he's not an animal. Another says he needs to embrace the beast within. Which one is correct? Or are they both right? Can we relate to Logan's battle with his true nature? Is there similar conflict within our souls?
   
   

The Family Corner

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, as well as some partial nudity. The movie is in many ways darker and more violent than its predecessors in the X-Men franchise. That's not to say the film is overly graphic or as heavy as The Dark Knight—it's generally PG-13 comic-book violence. But there are plenty of slice-and-dice sequences involving the claws of Wolverine and Sabretooth that lead to (mostly) bloodless stabbings, slashes, and a decapitation reminiscent of Darth Maul's death in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Wolverine also escapes from a laboratory fully nude, though little is shown. The film also has its fair share of profanity, including misuse of God's name, but there are no f-bombs like some other PG-13 films.

Photos © Copyright 20th Century Fox

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