Post by Erik Rupp on Jan 2, 2010 20:58:25 GMT -5
After the huge success of the first three X-Men movies it came as no surprise that Fox wasn't done with the franchise. While working as a prequel rather than a sequel, X-Men Origins: Wolverine continues within the framework set up in the first three movies.
Returning to the role that made him famous, Hugh Jackman once again truly becomes Wolverine. Rarely do actors slip into a role as well as Jackman has with Wolverine, and his performances as the character are a lot of fun to watch. Centering the, "Next X-Men movie," around Woverine was a no-brainer. While the movie was initially seen as something of a stand alone story, in the end this movie becomes the first part of his story and leaves off just shortly before the events in the first X-Men movie.
Opening with scenes of a young Logan and his brother as they discover their powers the movie then quickly follows them through all the wars they fought in over the years (their healing powers make them nearly immortal) in a montage behind the credits. Logan, and his brother, Victor, fought in every major American war from the Civil War through Viet Nam. Somewhere along the way, however, Victor came to love the brutality of war and actually embraced both it and the animal side of his personality. This sets up a major conflict which leaves the two brothers on opposite sides.
Delving into the backstory of Wolverine fills in most of the gaps left from the other X-Men movies, and while some of those gaps are filled in in ways somewhat inconsistent with the original comic books, the events in this movie are consistent with the previous three X-Men movies. Taken on it's own (without comparing the story to what happened in the original comics), X-Men Origins: Wolverine is an excellent comic book action movie.
Liev Schrieber is outstanding as Victor (Sabretooth), and he gives Jackman a run for his money in their scenes together. In fact, the chemistry between the two is so good that it would be easy to believe (within the context of the movie) that the two really are brothers. Schrieber has a voice that commands attention and brings a menacing quality to his role (even without seeing him in make-up and costume).
The story is exciting, the direction is good (nothing groundbreaking, but just what the movie needed), and the action scenes are very well done. The visual effects are good overall as well (although a couple shots are clearly fake).
X-Men Origins: Wolverine delivers exactly what it promised to deliver - an exciting, action packed comic book movie with a bit of an edge.
As for the Blu Ray, the picture is gorgeous. Crisp, clean, with rich, accurate colors and excellent detail - this is definitely a movie to buy on Blu Ray. The sound also lives up to expectations for how good a new movie on Blu Ray should sound.
For fans of the X-Men movie series this is without question a must-have title.
4/5