X-Men Origins: Wolverine

After famously leaking onto the internet more than a month prior to its release, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which details the origins of Hugh Jackman’s titular character, was quickly caught up in a miasma of negative buzz as illicit downloaders almost unanimously panned the movie (which was, to be fair, missing a hefty chunk of footage and a whole host of special effects shots). It’s quite surprising to note, then, that the final product is actually a slight degree more effective than its immediate successor (yet it’s also a far cry from Bryan Singer’s effortlessly masterful X2: X-Men United), as the movie has been infused with the various elements that one has come to expect from this ongoing series – including over-the-top action sequences, memorable villains, and an almost Oscar-worthy turn from Jackman as the character that essentially made his career. And although the movie does suffer from the presence of a few unintentionally campy elements and a noticeably flabby midsection, X-Men Origins: Wolverine primarily comes off as a satisfying, sporadically enthralling bit of popcorn escapism that marks a fine start to the summer-movie season. Director Gavin Hood instantly establishes himself as a far more adept filmmaker than such purveyors of action as Michael Bay and Len Wiseman, as he thankfully eschews the shaky camerawork and rapid-fire editing tricks that have lamentably come to define most contemporary action movies. Dig a little deeper, however, and the viewer is presented with an unexpectedly compelling revenge thriller, with Wolverine’s efforts at avenging the death of a loved one ensuring that Jackman’s already-grizzled character reaches points of viciousness heretofore unseen within this series. Add to that a series of enjoyable tough-guy performances from a supporting cast that includes Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, and Taylor Kitsch, and you’ve got a recipe for an entertainingly testosterone-fueled installment within the X-Men franchise.

*** out of ****