I watched The Wolverine and I liked it. 3.5/5
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After the debacle that was X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Hugh Jackman’s second solo outing as Logan had a lot to prove. Enter The Wolverine, James Mangold’s attempt to reset the character’s standalone journey. Set against the visually striking backdrop of Japan, the film dives into Logan’s tortured psyche while wrapping him in a story full of samurai swords, yakuza, and mutant intrigue. And while it delivers some strong character work and intense action, the movie doesn’t quite stick the landing, bogged down by a convoluted third act and an overreliance on generic blockbuster tropes.
Still, when The Wolverine works, it works well. It gives us a grittier, more introspective take on the character that’s miles ahead of its predecessor. It’s a solid entry in the X-Men franchise, even if it falls just short of greatness.
Logan’s Journey: A Man Haunted by the Past
The best thing about The Wolverine is that it gives Logan room to breathe as a character. This isn’t just a hack-and-slash superhero movie—it’s a film about a man grappling with immortality, guilt, and loss. Picking up after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, Logan is a broken man, haunted by visions of Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) and struggling to reconcile his violent nature with the pain it causes him and those he loves.
Hugh Jackman, as always, is magnetic in the role. He brings a weary intensity to Logan, balancing the character’s feral aggression with moments of vulnerability. This is a Wolverine who’s tired of living, tired of fighting, and tired of losing everyone he cares about. It’s a compelling angle, and Jackman sells it completely.
The film’s Japan setting is also a refreshing change of pace. Logan’s journey to honor an old promise and protect a young heiress, Mariko (Tao Okamoto), feels like a personal quest rather than a world-ending battle. The setting allows for a more grounded and intimate story, at least in the first two acts.
The Action: Sharp and Brutal (Mostly)
When it comes to action, The Wolverine delivers some standout moments. The fight choreography leans heavily on Logan’s raw, animalistic fighting style, but it also incorporates the precision and elegance of Japanese swordsmanship. The clash of these two styles results in some truly memorable sequences, especially the brutal funeral brawl and the high-octane fight atop a speeding bullet train.
These set pieces are thrilling, visceral, and well-shot—Mangold knows how to make the action feel grounded without losing its comic book flair. Logan’s vulnerability also adds tension to these scenes. For much of the film, he’s been stripped of his healing factor, making every fight feel like it could be his last. It’s a clever twist that forces him to rely more on his wits and resilience than his usual invincibility.
The Problems: A Third-Act Meltdown
Unfortunately, The Wolverine stumbles in its final act. What starts as a grounded, character-driven story devolves into a CGI-heavy mess. The introduction of the Silver Samurai—a giant, robotic suit of armor powered by adamantium—feels completely out of place. The final showdown is noisy, clunky, and robs the film of the emotional weight it had been building.
Adding to the disappointment is Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova), a one-dimensional villain whose powers and motivations are poorly defined. She’s a cartoonish antagonist who feels ripped from a completely different movie, and her presence undermines the film’s more serious tone.
There’s also the issue of pacing. The film spends a lot of time on Logan’s introspection and his burgeoning relationship with Mariko, which is great, but it leaves less room for the supporting cast to shine. Characters like Yukio (Rila Fukushima), a badass mutant with precognitive abilities, are intriguing but underutilized.
Aesthetic Strengths and Themes
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its aesthetic. The Japanese setting is beautifully rendered, with lush landscapes, neon cityscapes, and traditional architecture creating a visually immersive experience. Marco Beltrami’s score adds to the atmosphere, blending traditional Japanese instruments with modern orchestral elements.
Thematically, The Wolverine explores the idea of mortality and the cost of living forever. Logan’s struggle to find purpose and peace in a world that constantly takes from him is compelling, and the film does a good job of making his pain feel real. However, these deeper themes are somewhat undermined by the over-the-top finale.
Conclusion: A Flawed but Worthy Chapter
The Wolverine is a step in the right direction for Logan’s solo adventures. It’s darker, more thoughtful, and more character-driven than X-Men Origins: Wolverine, with strong performances and some killer action sequences. However, it’s held back by a bloated final act and a few poorly executed ideas.
Despite its flaws, the film succeeds in giving us a more grounded and introspective look at Wolverine while delivering enough thrills to keep fans satisfied. It’s not the best X-Men movie, but it’s far from the worst.