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X-Men Origins: Wolverine – Review

wolverineheader
I saw Wolverine with some friends on Friday. It’s not getting the best reviews and the commercials weren’t doing much to boost my confidence (seriously, that slow motion jump to the helicopter looked ridiculous) but I hoped that it would at least be some good stupid fun, and it totally was. I don’t know much about the comics so I can’t be all like “OMG! The movie version of Deadpool was an abomination! My childhood has been raped!” All I know is the movie was pretty much nonstop action from beginning to end. Well choreographed action no less, and that helicopter scene wasn’t as ridiculous as it looked in the commercials and ended up being pretty cool. I thought Liev Schreiber as Sabertooth was a great villain, but Danny Huston as Willian Stryker was totally lame and not threatening in any way, especially already knowing that he’s going to survive so he can show up in X-Men 2. All in all, Wolverine is certainly no worse than the lackluster X-Men 3, and I think you can enjoy it as long as you know going in that you’re just getting ridiculous mutant action for a little under two hours.

MOVIES, REVIEWS | Craig | May 3, 2009 12:26 pm

29 Comments

By Tam, May 3, 2009 @ 12:41 pm

I haven’t heard much good about it but I think you’re right, it you just take it for what it is, a fun action movie and try not to compare it too much you’ll do better. I haven’t even seen X-3 yet but did kind of half watch X-2 on TV for the millionth time last night.
By Dave S., May 3, 2009 @ 12:59 pm

I’m glad you liked it. I’m hoping to find time this week to take my kids to it. All three of us are anxious to see it. How was Dominic Monaghan in it? I wasn’t overly enthused about it until I found out he was playing a character.
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, May 3, 2009 @ 1:07 pm

I probably won’t see this in theaters. I don’t see that many movies in the theaters, and there are better ones out there. Besides, there are plenty of cheesy action movies on DVD.

I’m looking forward to Star Trek next weekend.
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, May 3, 2009 @ 1:07 pm

Dave S.: I think Dominic’s cute.
By Dave S., May 3, 2009 @ 1:16 pm

Ryan: Loved him in Lost!
By Enrico, May 3, 2009 @ 1:26 pm

I’ll probably see this eventually. I’ve seen the three recent X-Men movies and actually only liked the second one.
By ScottieC, May 3, 2009 @ 1:32 pm

The X-Men films have already taken such liberties with canon that it should be no surprise that the trend continues in this film. A few of the changes are monumental failures but, as you said, the whole film is action packed mutant fluff. As long as that’s all you’re looking for, you will enjoy it. I know I did.

Also, staring at Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds’ bulging muscles for 2 hours doesn’t hurt.
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, May 3, 2009 @ 1:37 pm

ScottieC: With all the spin-offs, cartoon series, and reboots, can muc of anything be considered canon anymore?
By jere, May 3, 2009 @ 3:48 pm

If only they hadn’t messed with Emma Frost, I might have sighed and given this movie a positive review (much like I have the 3 previous films), but now all I can hope for is that Fox Studios will be destroyed by the Hellfire Club during the rise of the true Dark Phoenix.
By GoKitty, May 3, 2009 @ 4:28 pm

Deadpool really was an abomination… at least the one at the end.
By Polt, May 3, 2009 @ 4:54 pm

Haven;’t seen this, don’t think I will in the theaters. I was leaning towards seeing, just for the eye candy of Ryan Reynolds and the long haired guy playing Gambit, but then a friend of mine saw it and called it junk. A river of fetid junk. Just totally lame and stupid. But then he probably had higher expectations of it that you did.

Nah, don’t think I’ll spend my $9.50 on it now. BUt I’m glad you had fun.

Star Trek next week….yeah, THAT I’m jonesing for!

HUGS…
By john, May 3, 2009 @ 5:49 pm

I’m seeing it Tuesday, but have heard only bad about it. I have to say, I thought casting Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool was genius, but I will reserve judgment on that until I see it.

My nephew told me it was a bad movie, pretty much on par with X3 which was awful. My expectations are really low. I gave up on movies keeping up with cannon. I can tell by the commercials how far off the cannon is, but that is fine.

I’m *really* looking forward to Star Trek this coming week.
By bernd, May 3, 2009 @ 5:51 pm

I twisted the bf’s arm and we saw the movie yesterday. It was ok, mindless entertainment, but just like the three Star Wars prequels only got you from a to b without surprises or emotional investment. I don’t notice CGI-shots anymore, which must be the highest compliment I can give to the animators, but all the trickery leaves everything without heart and soul. Wolverine is my least favorite character of the Xs, his ‘lone wolf’ schtick getting old in the first movie. Hugh Jackman also does nothing for me,, but I enjoyed his escape from the facility…Liev Schreibers slightly extended fangs looked absolutely adorable, which was probably not intentional. Ryan Reynolds character was nice to look at, but his babbling was to fast for me, so I was relieved that as 11 he couldn’t talk. Can’t wait for Star Trek.
By bernd, May 3, 2009 @ 5:55 pm

Dave S, don’t get too attached to Dominic’s character, that’s all I’m saying.
By APJ, May 3, 2009 @ 6:36 pm

Craig’s take on the movie mirrors mine. Good action. And Hugh Jackman naked is always a plus (my husband gasped!).

Unrelated to any of this…have y’all seen this guy on YouTube? When I saw the argyle sweaters, I knew he rated a mention here…

http://www.youtube.com/user/Captainl0ver

Start with the sign-language videos (the Britney ones are the best, IMHO).

…long-time lurker
By Craig, May 3, 2009 @ 6:40 pm

Hey APJ! I saw the Womanizer one on Polt’s site and absolutely loved it. He is quite delightful to watch!
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, May 3, 2009 @ 7:19 pm

I found this humorously homoerotic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z-OLG0KyR4
By Tam, May 3, 2009 @ 8:57 pm

Ryan: I’ve always wondered why I had those dreams about giant bananas chasing me. Now its all clear, they are my nightmare. Fits just right in the mouth. Uh huh. Suuuuure.
By Ray, May 3, 2009 @ 9:30 pm

I totally wanted to see this just because I saw Cyclops in the preview. Wolverine is not my fav but I do love how Hugh really dove into the role. I’m a Storm guy, but not a “Halle” Storm guy. They have got to find somebody better. She’s so American she’s not regal enough.

On a side note…Craig, I don’t know if you’ve heard THIS SONG but I have totally fallen in love with it…

If this link works, that is.
By Avitable, May 3, 2009 @ 11:01 pm

The CG was worse than the first X-men movie and there was no plot at all. And apparently everyone can run up the side of buildings. What a horrible mess. And not in a fun hot tranny way.
By Brad, May 3, 2009 @ 11:01 pm

I would go see this only for Gambit/ Tim Riggins from “Friday Night Lights.” And I’m straight.
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, May 3, 2009 @ 11:03 pm

Tam: Here is a NSFW parody:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/b1e50c566e/further-proof-that-god-created-us
By Craig, May 3, 2009 @ 11:13 pm

Avitable: It was as if they completely forgot how to do the Wolverine claw effects. They were the worst I’ve ever seen them.

Brad: Yeah, but his character was completely pointless. He didn’t even have a good cajun accent.

Ryan: That video is awesome.
By Tam, May 4, 2009 @ 7:36 am

Ryan: Very funny.
By David, May 4, 2009 @ 11:29 am

Despite all the hotness in this film, if you can compare it to X-Men 3, then I’m staying home. That was just awful.
By The Infamous Dr. Para, May 4, 2009 @ 11:54 am

You know, I actually heard “OMG! The movie version of Deadpool was an abomination! My childhood has been raped!” from a friend and honestly, that’s why I’m not seeing the movie.

Deadpool is a fucking bad ass, and I heard that the movie version is just … awful.
By jomosexual, May 4, 2009 @ 11:57 am

I went and saw wolverine last night….by myself…(because i’m secure like that) and I must say i was a little disappointed. The story line was a little sloppy so that kinda bummed me out (being only slightly familiar with the story of wolverine) and some of the CGI look a little too “sci-fi channel made for tv movie”…….other than that ryan reynolds shirtless……..hugh jackman shirtless……and whoever played cylcops with the cheekbones!

yum.
By john, May 5, 2009 @ 10:42 pm

I just got home from Wolverine. Polt, don’t see it in the theater. I don’t think Hugh Jackman’s butt can save this movie. I’m so disappointed. I can totally understand that they have to change some of the story, but for the love of all that is holy, why do they have to change things that are integral to the character. Cyclops’s eye beams are concussive, not “lazeeerrrs”, they don’t burn. Oh and while I Ryan Reynolds was completely GENIUS casting as Wade Wilson, I can’t accept the assassination of the Deadpool character.

I know I sound like a total comic fan boy, but on top of the horrible bastardizations of characters (I hold on to desperate hope that the Diamond Girl (cue Elton John Island Girl tune) was only identified as “Emma” without the last name of “Frost”) the dialog was just awful.

I will admit, I liked the actor who played Gambit, he did a good job and Jackman and Schreiber really did try.

I’ll turn the soap box over to someone else now.
By willam, May 12, 2009 @ 12:28 am

add this one to my list of movies i can watch on mute and jerk off too. randomly, there’s only one movie though i can watch with just sound and no picture that can do that: The Departed. that accent! yum