"Wolverine" promises to tell a story of the origin of this magnetic mutant, feral creature with a heart of gold. Opening with brief childhood scenes, it glosses over and sprints to adulthood through violent montages. In the end, we're left wondering of who and why "Wolverine" is the way he is.
I've wanted to witness a life journey and evolution of the human behind the steel claws. A story that is character-driven where the characters are drilled down to the core, connected and developed. A story that delves into the ferocious inner conflicts and progression of the antagonistic relationships with his brother. Instead, we're treated to a weak background, fleeting moments, repeated non-life threatening brotherly duels. This decade has elevated the bar for superhero movies, so I don't think it's unrealistic to expect such. As a human being, 'Logan' (if this is his real name, it doesn't jive with 'Jimmy' as his family calls him) and his relationships do not grow. It seems like he and his brother end in square one, exactly the way they started in the beginning. If I have to rate "Wolverine," it's definitely sub-par compared to the first two "X-Men," but it is better than the third one in the series. Like X3, it favors flash over substance. Heavy-laden CGI chases and explosions aiming for the 'shock & awe' factor, all fine and dandy for the eyes - if only they're not front and center, and accompanied with a story not lacking in origin and evolution. In other words, this could have been a far greater piece. It tries to cram too many unrelated, unsubstantial characters that add nothing to the story. It advances the plot of revenge of a loved one by leaving the body unburied in the woods, figuratively and literally speaking. Hugh Jackman, with imposing presence and charisma, is the saving grace. Although the real scene stealer is actually Sabertooth, who instills absolute primal fear with his blood-thirsty nature and sports-killing habit. It's a grand spectacle, just like the "Spiderman," "Batman," and "Iron Man" before him. It captivates and thrills as one menacing scene races after another, and there's a 'wow' sense after it ends. However, unlike the previous ingenuous trio that engage the mind and connect the heart on a deeper level, it doesn't stick with me long after.