Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Updates:

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

Director: Gavin Hood

Time Out rating

Average user rating

97 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

The first in a planned series of ‘X-Men’ prequels, ‘Wolverine’ arrives dogged by a lengthy production process (including a series of extensive and very public reshoots) and by the fact that an early version was leaked online some weeks before the official release. That version – dubbed a ‘workprint’ by the studio, but reportedly similar to the completed cut, barring a few effects shots – has already received a drubbing from those brave enough to admit to having watched it. So how does the finished film stand up?

The plot is thin and largely culled from an established backstory that anyone who's seen 'X2' will be familiar with. After unwittingly murdering his father, young Logan runs away to a life of war and turmoil: deathless and indestructible, Wolverine and his brother Victor, aka Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber), are eventually recruited by Danny Huston’s black-ops expert General Stryker for a series of covert missions. But surveillance quickly turns to slaughter, and Logan turns his back on the military. Unfortunately – and predictably – it turns out the military isn’t close to finished with him.

On the plus side, Hugh Jackman is hugely likeable in a role he was born to play, slicing and dicing his way through a series of competent action sequences devised by ‘Rendition’ and ‘Tsotsi’ director Gavin Hood. The opening mapping Wolverine’s journey through a century of warfare, is epic, breathless and brilliant.

But the script is simply disastrous. Overloaded with murky, forgettable characters familiar only to fans of the comics, it’s shot through with both narrative inconsistencies and laughably functional dialogue.

A host of talented supporting players, including Liev Schreiber and Ryan Reynolds, are unforgivably wasted, while crude visual references to both ‘Watchmen’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ only highlight the film’s failed ambitions. With some dire blue-screen effects, dizzying tonal instability and a total absence of suspense or originality, ‘Wolverine’ is something of a disaster.

Author: Tom Huddleston 2009-04-27 18:58:54

Time Out London Issue 2019, May 1-7 2009

Bookmark

User reviews of this film

Indecision said...

Posted on May 02 2009 13:37 How about a review I can understand? If this is the product of our school system, we are in big trouble! A message to the text generation - learn how to write.

Report as inappropriate
Bolt1121 said...

Posted on May 02 2009 07:38 This was my favorite movie of all time wolverine is my favorite xmen. The was almost better than the movie. Can not wait to magneto prequel.

Report as inappropriate
Ocnod said...

Posted on May 01 2009 22:18 Haven't seen it yet, but am looking forward to it. I think the poor speelers should stick to the comics until they learn to be literate. Lots of cool pictures, not so many bothersome words!

Report as inappropriate
Kinglouie said...

Posted on May 01 2009 21:11 Not a bad attempt. Will never be as good as the mags, but that is always the way. The story was told so a new commer could follow it.Take it for what it is - 2 hours of escapism.

Report as inappropriate
never know said...

Posted on May 01 2009 20:13 GOD DAMIT they F***ked up the whole story.

Report as inappropriate
saddee said...

Posted on May 01 2009 20:11 i never read the comics and i didnt like the move, its stuipd what happends in there or hard to blive any of it.
ny 8 year old son could make a better move. lol

Report as inappropriate
Jack said...

Posted on May 01 2009 20:03 stay home. wount want to sat anything bad.
or the guys writing good review will kill me.
F>>>ed it, MOVIE SUCKS. get some backround on Wolverine first befor you post and say its good.lol clueless nooobs.

Report as inappropriate
jay said...

Posted on May 01 2009 20:00 move sucks. Nuff SAID....

Report as inappropriate
nemo said...

Posted on May 01 2009 19:51 for all those that say the movie is get, it is not.
there know nothing about Wolverine Origins. so they go with what the movies go by.
its hard to belive any of it if you do know Wolverine Origins. its not even right, its all out of place.
bryan you have no clue what makes a good movie, and this movie is not it. those asswhip that are saying the movie is good are shou'nt be BITCHING to the others that say it suck cause it does. go wast your money if you like.

Report as inappropriate
swettod said...

Posted on May 01 2009 19:37 lol at the people that saw this move and think its good. why a crock of shit movie. am not 1 to say it but it is bad. most peps that dont know anything about Wolverine Origins: will think it good like the last 3 post.
yes its not true to wolverine Origins this is why it suck.
the movie is all over the place. even thoug they cant spell there right the move bad. so it will be a 50% of like and one that dont like he movie.
i have seen it have to say its bad, sorry guys but it is bad any one thats knows wolverine true Origins wil say the move sucks cause its does.
thouse that dont know any thing about wolverine will go with what the movies say. and its good for them.

Report as inappropriate
Madison said...

Posted on May 01 2009 19:23 I was quite enjoying the shameful awfulness of the script, Liev Schreiber leaping like a sabretooth, the ridonkulous CGI effects and Hugh Jackman's manliness...right up until the moment where the kind old lady gets shot. Totally unnecessary!. I almost walked out.

Report as inappropriate
J-Man said...

Posted on May 01 2009 19:19 So, in English please, should I go spend $8.50 to see this or not? I can see why someone with such an extensive vocabulary might not like a movie re-make of a comic book story...

Report as inappropriate
bryan said...

Posted on May 01 2009 19:14 great film for what it is! fans of movie series will love it. if you are looking for a comic book remake then you are out of luck. this film follows a traditional cinematic arc. It should be highly profitable and entertaining for viewer who like the story and are not looking for something that doesn't work in a 2hr story like watchmen. now that film sucked!

Report as inappropriate
Jeff said...

Posted on May 01 2009 18:04 The movie is awesome actually...I am a huge fan of the X-men, and this movie totally fills a lot of huge holes I never understood. The tension between Cyclops & Wolverine, his love of Jean Grey, and of course how he got his adamantium frame. Do yourself a favor, and see this movie today!

Report as inappropriate
Average Joe said...

Posted on May 01 2009 17:53 Wow! Okay, I get it! The movie is not good. Thank you all for sharing your opinions. Now then, HOLY CRAP! Are the majority of internet "reviewers" really so illiterate? Good grief people, how can anyone take your comments seriously when you write like Kindergarteners! Go learn to spell, and then come give your opinions!

Report as inappropriate