Review of X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) by Dawdlingpoet — 28 Nov 2021

This is a fantasy action film, with plenty of fighting scenes, fast camerawork and explosions to keep you glued to the screen. It is quite dark in terms of both the lighting and the plot. Themes covered include identity, fate, trust and revenge. Illusions and sleight of hand are two other terms that apply in relation to this film.

I noticed it ocassionally featured some slowed down camera shots a la The Matrix, by which I mean that certain fight scenes were dramatically slowed down, so that the viewer can see every move as they happen. Most of the time, the fight scenes are quite fast and frenetic, as you'd expect.

The musical score or soundtrack is quite heavily present, I'd say its almost overbearing on ocassion. I felt that the plot was a little overly sentimental - its the mix of extremes, going from sentimental to all guns blazing action that didn't really sit right with me. Of course I realise that the target audience is perhaps younger and more familiar with the various characters in the X Men franchise and so on but I can still appreciate a good action film. I just felt like the various elements weren't quite done proportionately. However, I was still impressed with the fight and chase scenes, some of the cinematography, landscape shots and the slow motion moments. I felt it was quite an engrossing film, even though I didn't know as much as other viewers may know about the main character. I found myself questioning what was going to happen next and what the Wolverines intentions may be. I thought the film was quite suspenseful in general. Cast wise, the Wolverine is played by Hugh Jackman (as in the other X Men films). Also appearing are Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan and Liev Schreiber. If I had to comment on the performances, I'd say that the characters are, if anything, over-acted. This film is very much 'Hollywood' plot-wise, in as much as there being the age-old battle between good and bad, double crossing people and so on.

As far as content is concerned, it contains some (although relatively little given the type of film it is) strong language, some moderate (bloody) violence and some generally quite frightening scenes for younger viewers, due to the low (dark) lighting and the frenetic pace of some scenes.

If I had to compare it, I felt that this film reminded me most of the Men In Black films, certainly in terms of the special effects and the quirky characters. Plot wise, it came across as slightly predictable, in terms of the plot but yet I still enjoyed watching it, so I guess its not all bad. I found the final fight scenes quite engrossing, trying to track who was who and where (I won't spoil the film by explaining this anymore). Its certainly an entertaining film, although by no means a great one.

No, I'm not sure I'd recommend this particular film especially. Its entertaining and quite watchable but it is also fairly predictable and I didn't feel it was particularly memorable, so I wouldn't say its worth paying to see but it isn't all bad.