Movie Review: The Wolverine

"The Wolverine"/Rated PG-13/20th Century Fox/126 min./Dir. by James Mangold

Director James Mangold is a difficult talent to get a read on.  Of course, many directors love to genre hop, but Mangold has never even repeated genre.  He's done cop drama ("Cop Land"), western ("3:10 to Yuma"), horror ("Identity"), biopic ("Walk the Line"), action comedy ("Knight and Day"), and rom-com ("Kate and Leopold").  One thing that connects all of his films, however, is focus on character.  While he often shows a unique visual flair, it is clear that he's more interested in the motivations of his characters than he is in massive special effects.  That focus continues, for the most part, with his latest film "The Wolverine".

It's been a difficult cinematic life for Logan, a.k.a. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman).  Amnesia, manipulation, mutilation, forced servitude, and the tragic deaths of loved ones have all been a part of his experience. Chronologically, the last time we saw the character was in 2006's "X-Men: The Last Stand", when he was forced to stop his beloved Jean Gray (Famke Janssen) from destroying half of San Fransisco by ending her life.  As we meet up with him again, he's separated himself from the other X-Men, living as a recluse in the woods of Northern Canada.  Constantly haunted by nightmares of his lost love, he's angry and avoiding any situations that would require him to use his powers to hurt anyone.  However, he's brought out of hiding by a young Japanesse woman named Yukio (winningly played by Rila Fukushima) who, besides showing up to bust up a bar, is there on behalf of her employer, a man whose life was saved by Logan during WWII.  She says that her employer is dying and wanting to say good-bye to his old friend.  Of course, it's Wolverine, so it's bound to be a lot more than a simple meet and greet.

At this point, "The Wolverine" becomes a pretty traditional Samurai movie, which a powerful stranger coming into a volatile situation and becoming the self-appointed protector of innocence.  The plot is very deliberate about how much information it gives as it progresses, but it does a great job of leaving interesting little tidbits of mystery throughout.  However, it is the aforementioned dedication to character that makes it an enjoyable ride.  Logan's occasional conversations with Jean give real insight into how he has dealt with the tragedy of her death and, unlike his previous outing "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", it connects with the world of X-Men without feeling like a standard X-Men film (however, make sure you stay through the first part of the credits because it sets up the next X-Men movie in a big way).

It goes without saying that Hugh Jackman is the most energetic aspect of the film, because he usually is in any film in which he appears.  I can think of few other actors that throw themselves physically and emotionally into every role the way he does.  However, most of the rest of the cast does their share of heavy lifting, especially Fukushima and Tao Okamoto as a heroine equal parts grace and power.  Unfortunately, there is one character that is ridiculously mishandled.  I don't want to get into spoilery detail, but the character starts out laughably obvious and ends up in full-blown "Batman and Robin" ridiculousness.  Plus, there's really not a single plot point in which this character proves to be vital.  I would have found the film far more enjoyable had they been written out entirely.

Mangold handles the action sequences with the same deftness that he demonstrated in "3:10 to Yuma", with many breathtaking Samurai-style fights and a stunning set-piece set atop a bullet train going over 300 mph.  The stakes in these scenes are far higher than they've ever been in a Wolverine fight for reasons brought out throughout the film, suffice it to say that there's more a sense of concern than there was in the city shattering fight climax of "Man of Steel".

"The Wolverine" may not be the complete revitalization of the franchise that the studio was hoping for, but it's an expertly directed Samurai adventure that finally gives a little resolution and solace to one of the most tragic heroes in modern cinematic history.  Also, I meant it about the credits.  Don't leave.  You'll be sorry.  Bring on "X-Men: Days of Future Past"!

Grade: B