The Wolverine: Wolverine finally gets his own movie that does him justice

Today, I look at the newest film in the X-Men franchise, that tries to mend the damage that X-Men Origins: Wolverine did. Now, I'm not going to review that film because it's now basically non-canon, and this film is not even tied to it, despite the fact it was originally going to be a sequel.

The Wolverine:
Logan, aka Wolverine, has been living alone in misery after the death of Jean Grey/Phoenix in X-Men: The Last Stand. He just wishes to end his immortality and die already. He is given the opportunity when Yuriko, a smart, precognitive mutant assassin approaches him with the opportunity to meet Master Yashida, an extremely old Japanese billionaire and tech magnate who wants to repay Wolverine for saving his life as a young man. When Wolverine arrives in Japan, Yashida tells him he can take away his immortality, and give it to Yashida. Wolverine initially refuses, but soon after, loses his immortality and healing abilities regardless. Wolverine must now fight off the Black Ninja Clan, who attempt to attack Yashida's family, without his powers, and face his own inner problems as well. Hugh Jackman still is a fantastic Wolverine, and is still a kick-ass superhero/ action star. He also is able to capture the inner torment and sadness Logan feels really well. I thought it was an excellent idea to take Logan out of his element by placing him in an unfamiliar country. Jackman also took tips from Dwayne Johnson on how to bulk up for the movie. Famke Janssen reprises her role as Jean Grey is dream sequences. Rila Fukushima does a good job as the skilled mutant ninja Yuriko, who proves to be a useful ally to Logan. Tao Okamoto does a good job as Mariko, Yashida's granddaughter who is his pride and joy. She is a good character and is Logan's love interest throughout the film. Svetlana Khodchenkova plays Dr. Green, aka Viper. Also known as Madame Hydra in the comics, Viper is a pretty evil and ruthless character. Despite being pretty attractive, there's not much to like about her, and you really want to see Logan and Yuriko take her down. Will Yun Lee (Die Another Day) appears in the supporting antihero-ish role of Kenuichio  Harada, known as the villain Silver Samurai in the comics, and head of the ninja clan in the film. Haruhiko Yamanouchi plays Yashida, the head of the Yashida tech corporation. The cast all do pretty damn good jobs, and do justice to the characters of the comics. The action sequences are really entertaining. Some personal favorites include the chase through Tokyo, and the final battle in the Yashida laboratory with the robotic Silver Samurai. But by far, the stand-out of the film's action sequences is the fight atop the bullet train in Tokyo. It's fast-paced, exciting, and inventive. I was surprised by how good the film actually was, and it's probably one of the better Marvel movies and one of the best summer blockbusters this year. It completely makes up for the last stand-alone Wolverine film. The movie actually is based off the acclaimed 1982 limited comic series Wolverine by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, two of the best writers of 80's and 90's comics, in my opinion. It's a pretty good adaptation of the source material, and it really brings the classic series to life. Director James Mangold (Walk the Line, Identity, 3:10 to Yuma, Cop Land, Knight and Day) does a good job with the film, and has a good visual eye. Composer Marco Beltrami, a friend of cult director Wes Craven, known for scoring several successful horror films such as Mimic, The Faculty, Resident Evil, and Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, as well as the teen drama Soul Surfer, did an interesting score. Not your typical superhero score, some of the tracks seem more fit for a classic samurai film. The visual effects aren't anything you haven't seen before, but the CG is good, and the Wolverine claws look far better than in the previous Wolverine film. Speaking of which, I still don't really like the "bone claws" from the comics and films, they just don't look cool, and don't really make sense continuity-wise because in X2, it's implied that Wolverine had no claws prior to the Adamantium procedure. (I know several people have already said this, but I thought I'd just throw it in there.) The writing team did a good job capturing Wolverine as a character, and doing something new, but also doing a faithful adaptation of the beloved comics. Another thing the film subtly implies is that mutants have integrated themselves into society, either by being accepted or by hiding, as the Mutant Rights issue and attack on Alcatraz in the third film appear to have been forgotten, or just no mentioned in this film. Of course, it could not be an issue in Japan, as the film takes place primarily there, where the other films have taken place in the US. There is a mid-credits scene that I would recommend sticking around for, as it's really awesome and kind of a mind-fuck. The Wolverine is something special, one of the few superhero spin-off films that doesn't suck. It has good acting, fleshed-out characters, good visual effects, exhilarating action, and is a film that explores the motional side of Wolverine a bit more. It's an exhilarating and entertaining summer film, one of the best of the season. 4/5 stars.

Note: I did not see the film in 3D, so I don't how that format effected the film.

Links:
A review of the film I liked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv1RTULln4I

(SPOILERS Below Poster)

 (Image: Wikipedia)

SPOILER SEGMENT:
If you don't want anything SPOILED, then just don't read this:

(SPOILERS START) The mid-credits sequence takes place two years after the film ends, with Wolverine in an airport security check. He decides to go with the pat-down as opposed to the metal detector, which will set off due to his metallic bones. He begins to notice that metallic things around him begins floating in mid-air. He realizes Magneto is present, and turns around to stab him, but is stopped by Magneto, who freezes his metallic structure still. Magneto tells him not to worry, as he is not there to cause trouble. Suddenly, the entire environment around them freezes in time. Suddenly, Professor Xavier arrives in a wheelchair. Wolverine, shocked at the fact that Xavier survived after he was disintegrated in the third film, is told by Xavier and Magneto that there is a new threat that could seriously harm the mutant race, hinting at next summer's X-men: Days of Future Past, which will bridge X-Men: The Last Stand with X-Men: First Class. (SPOILERS END)