In the 1940’s, Logan (Hugh Jackman) saved a Japanese soldier from certain death as the end to World War II inched nearer. Now, seventy years later, as that old friend, Master Yashida (Hal Yamanouchi/Ken Yamamura), lies on his deathbed, he summons Logan back to Japan to see him one more time. While in Japan, The Wolverine will find himself mixed up with the wrong people, and part of a war which includes the yakuza and mutant beings. Alone, Logan will struggle to find peace once again.
Back in 2009, Gavin Hood attempted to develop the backstory of fan-favorite Logan/Wolverine. That film, for lack of a better word, was a failure. It failed to reach viewers as anticipated, it failed to develop a truly emotional narrative, and it failed to create anything worth exploring in the future of the X-Men franchise. Four years later, James Mangold takes another stab at creating independent content for the mutant anti-hero with The Wolverine–and this time around viewers get something more appealing.
If you’ve made it this far in the X-Men franchise, then you’re well aware of the often awkward exchanges between Logan and Jean Grey (Famke Jannsen), and you know how their story eventually played out. That plays a major role in the emotional toll that The Wolverine takes on viewers; it captivates viewers because Logan appears more human than ever before. That’s a common theme present throughout The Wolverine, understanding what it means to be human–and Mangold, as well as writers Mark Bomback and Scott Frank capture this sentiment beautifully. It’s a question as old as time: what is the meaning of life? I’m not sure that anyone has even been able to answer that question, but The Wolverine attempts to do just that–and it touches on it in ways that many before it haven’t had the intelligence to explore. Is it good to live forever? Is the key to a successful life eventually dying peacefully? These questions and more are dissected throughout the course of this film–and moving, ever so slowly, through these ideas grants viewers the ability to connect with Logan on an emotional level better than ever before. As a viewer you feel for him, you understand his struggles, and you must contemplate your own mortality as a result of what has been created in this film.
Jackman has always been riveting, talented, and more than capable of filling the shoes of just about everyone he’s ever played. I would venture to guess that most would consider Logan/Wolverine his best role–the one that he plays best. The Wolverine, however, may see him at his best in that role (at least at the time of the film’s release). He’s more emotional than ever before, he’s tasked with being more gritty than before, and for the first time he exists in a Marvel film without an ensemble cast. He has to lead, he has to be the heart of the story, and he’s perfect. He is the driving force behind The Wolverine, he purveys emotion with poise, and he never relents as he exudes Logan-like sarcasm throughout the entirety of the film.
The X-Men franchise, regardless of how entertaining parts of it are, has always been home to some action sequences that, in the grand scheme of superhero cinema, are less than adequate. The Wolverine seems to rectify this issue–as every instance of action is so well choreographed that viewers are likely left wanting more. Well put together, and perfectly executed, the action sequences that exist throughout The Wolverine are the best of the franchise. They are intimate and incredibly personal–and viewers are invited in, and they truly feel connected to Logan’s journey in The Wolverine in part because of how brilliantly these sequences are.
At the time of its release, The Wolverine was the best X-Men film–outshining each and every team-up film and becoming part of a superhero revitalization that began to take the world by storm just a few years earlier. A beautifully constructed narrative, magnificent casting, emotional relevance, and action sequences that really get the blood flowing all exist within The Wolverine, and the future of the X-Men is changed because of Mangold’s passion and vigor. The Wolverine is high-end cinema that breaks the genre barrier and creates an all-encompassing film of action, romance, fantasy, and mystery. This film is fun and invigorating. Even with some films that outshine The Wolverine coming later, this film still remains one of a kind and one of the more captivating superhero films to date.
Directed by James Mangold.
Written by Mark Bomback & Scott Frank.
Starring Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Brian Tee, Hal Yamanouchi, Will Yun Lee, Ken Yamamura, Famke Janssen, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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