I watched X-Men Origins: Wolverine and I didn’t like it. 2.5/5
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X-Men Origins: Wolverine feels like a film torn in two. The first half offers glimpses of a compelling origin story for one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, but the second half spirals into a chaotic, convoluted mess. Directed by Gavin Hood and starring Hugh Jackman as the titular mutant, this prequel promises to explore the layers of Wolverine’s past and how he became the adamantium-clawed antihero fans adore. Sadly, while it starts off on the right foot, it ultimately stumbles into its own self-inflicted pitfalls.
This is a movie that had potential—loads of it—but squandered nearly all of it in the service of rushed storytelling, poor CGI, and an ending so bafflingly bad that even Wolverine himself couldn’t heal from it.
The Good: A Strong Opening (Kind Of)
The first half of X-Men Origins: Wolverine delivers some solid moments, building up Logan’s backstory and grounding the character in an emotional framework. Starting with Logan’s childhood and the discovery of his powers, the film sets a strong tone, even if the execution doesn’t always hit the mark.
The opening sequence, where Logan and his half-brother Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber) fight their way through various wars across history, is easily one of the movie’s standout moments. It’s a visually striking montage that conveys the immortality of the two brothers and hints at the complex bond between them. Schreiber’s performance as Victor (a.k.a. Sabretooth) is one of the movie’s few bright spots, bringing a feral intensity to a character who could have easily been a one-dimensional villain.
From there, we watch Logan attempt to build a normal life with his girlfriend, Kayla Silverfox (Lynn Collins). The film briefly succeeds in showing a more vulnerable side of Logan, giving him a reason to leave his violent past behind. This more introspective tone is a refreshing contrast to the action-heavy chaos that follows.
The Mess: When It All Falls Apart
Unfortunately, once the plot kicks into high gear, X-Men Origins: Wolverine loses all sense of cohesion. After Logan’s idyllic life is shattered by tragedy, he agrees to undergo the Weapon X experiment to gain the adamantium skeleton and claws that make him invincible. This pivotal moment in Wolverine’s history should have been the emotional and narrative high point of the film—but it’s rushed and uninspired.
What follows is a series of increasingly ludicrous and poorly connected plot points. The movie throws in multiple new characters—most of whom are given little to no development—while bouncing from one random location to another. Deadpool (played by Ryan Reynolds), a fan-favorite character, is introduced in a way that initially shows promise, only for the movie to completely butcher him later (more on that disaster shortly).
The film’s pacing feels frantic, as if it’s trying to cram in as much fan service as possible without stopping to consider whether any of it makes sense. By the time Logan is fighting Blob in a boxing ring or inexplicably teaming up with Gambit (Taylor Kitsch), the story has already gone off the rails.
The Ugly: Terrible CGI and That Ending
If the second half of X-Men Origins: Wolverine is bad, the ending is downright atrocious. The final showdown pits Logan and Victor against Weapon XI, a grotesque version of Deadpool that feels like a slap in the face to fans. Instead of the wisecracking, fourth-wall-breaking antihero, we’re given a mute, laser-eyed Frankenstein’s monster with katanas for arms. It’s not just a bad creative decision—it’s a baffling one.
The CGI during this climactic battle is some of the worst in the franchise. Wolverine’s claws, which had looked great in previous films, now resemble rubbery cartoon props. The effects are so distractingly bad that they completely undermine what should have been an epic confrontation.
And then there’s the infamous amnesia bullet. In a desperate attempt to tie up loose ends, the movie introduces an adamantium bullet that conveniently erases Logan’s memory. It’s lazy, contrived, and emblematic of the film’s broader issues. Instead of crafting a thoughtful resolution, the filmmakers opt for an easy, nonsensical out that leaves a sour taste.
A Wasted Opportunity
What’s most frustrating about X-Men Origins: Wolverine is how much potential it had. Hugh Jackman gives it his all, as always, and there are moments—however fleeting—where the film seems like it could be something special. The dynamic between Logan and Victor is compelling, and Liev Schreiber’s performance elevates every scene he’s in. But these bright spots are buried under a mountain of bad decisions, weak writing, and overreliance on spectacle over substance.
The movie wants to explore Logan’s origins, but it never digs deep enough to uncover anything meaningful. Instead, it relies on shallow twists, underwhelming action, and characters who are little more than plot devices.
Conclusion: A Film with Claws But No Bite
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a textbook example of how not to do a prequel. It starts strong, with a promising origin story and solid performances, but quickly devolves into a convoluted mess that prioritizes style over substance. By the time the credits roll, the film has undone nearly all the goodwill it earned in its first act.
There’s still some enjoyment to be had here, particularly for die-hard Wolverine fans or those who appreciate Schreiber’s ferocious take on Sabretooth. But for anyone looking for a coherent story or a satisfying exploration of Logan’s past, this film is a disappointment.