When the Cheshire emerges...

The Wolverine (M)

EXCLUDING vigilantes like Kick-Ass and The Watchmen crew, the X-Men are the outcasts of the superhero world. Superman might be an alien who grew up on Earth and Spider-Man a kid hiding in the shadows, but this class of A-grade mutation gives real reason to be disgusted with life.

Wolverine's a pretty angry guy, characterised by his claws and mean facial chops. His immortality makes for physical invincibility but emotions run deep within him for things he has failed to forgive or forget.

The ups and downs of Jackman's time fighting for justice have now been shown in six films, the most for a superhero in any single role. Wolverine's been through a lot, and his story is not near a closing chapter.

The second Wolverine stand-alone film takes place after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, which left him broken. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) still mourns the death of Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) and has removed himself from a life of fighting crime.

Yukio (Rila Fukushima) sees that hiding does him no favours; she finds him on behalf of Yoshida (Hal Yamanouchi), someone wishing to repay a debt for a favour given long ago. Wolverine's reluctance to face his demons is challenged as he goes to Japan to grant Yoshida a dying wish.

Photo: aceshowbiz.com

The story from Mark Bomback, Scott Frank and Christopher McQuarrie shows Wolverine at his weakest, a man fragile from his actions and unsure about the value of life. His immortality is an entrapment, a curse that a large part of him so dearly wants to be rid of.

Ridding himself of that immortality is a temptation Wolverine comes across, as is Yoshida's granddaughter Mariko (Tao Okamoto). As Mariko finds herself in danger, Wolverine's questions about existence become more evident.

The Japanese setting lends itself nicely with themes of tradition, honour and respect. Wolverine, in his fight to protect Mariko, takes those all on board and tries to connect them with an angry soul.

As a stand-alone film, it's a story about a man reclaiming his purpose. Director James Mangold weaves a story that blends the past and present while questioning the future. Japan provides a beautiful backdrop to the tale at hand.

Within the X-Men universe, it's an important chapter. Wolverine, the most well-known character of the group, is presented at his most vulnerable. It's a common thread within superhero films these days, but to see one at their weakest is to appreciate their strongest attributes.
Jackman is the strongest attribute of all. His familiarity with Wolverine never lacks in intensity, able to give the outsider raw emotion and comedy without a hitch. Okamoto brings the beauty, while Svetlana Khodchenkova as villain Viper is sly, not entirely unlike Uma Thurman's Poison Ivy.

The closure for Wolverine is well crafted and should give fans what they were looking for. But a post-credits scene is just one thing which proves his story is not done with just yet.

Rating: 3.5/5

*Published in the Daily Liberal (Dubbo), Western Advocate (Bathurst), Parkes Champion Post and Midstate Observer (Orange) from Saturday 27/7/2013

MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of This Is The End.