A very brief montage of Victor and Logan fighting in a number of wars is shown during the opening sequence. Although the montage does show the complexity and aggression of their friendship I can’t help but feel it was too short. Victor’s true character is seen very quickly in the film. Liev Schreiber’s brutally merciless performance as Victor Creed/Sabertooth is very convincing if not a little held back by occasionally clichéd dialogue and pointless running at Logan. As soon as team X is introduced an array of stunning action sequences are displayed accompanied by Ryan Reynolds always hilarious wisecracks. Agent Zero’s incredibly outrageous and over the top action scenes at the beginning of the film are probably his best scenes. Daniel Henney’s character as Agent Zero is a surprisingly hateful one basically due to being hostile for no apparent reason which makes it delightful to see Logan get his own back later on.
One character in this film that had what I believed to be some of the most storyline potential was Dominic Monaghan’s Bradley who sadly comes to a slightly tragic end all too soon. Like all of Monaghans characters he was likeable and had the kind of innocence a small child would have which makes his departure all the more upsetting. As Hugh Jackman had intended he did show us the true animal and slightly disturbing side of Wolverine. By disturbing im talking about his nightmare scene that would put even his biggest fans off waking up next to him.
As soon as the legendary moment Logan awakens with the adamantium in his skeleton happens the film really kicks off. Although the adamantium scene is significantly different to the flashback in X-Men 2 (which I don’t know how they will explain) it is a classic one. After the women in the theatre have recovered from the stroke they suffered from seeing a (yet again) naked Hugh Jackman they are treated to a not so subtle superman reference. Although this reference is not really needed in a film so jam packed with Easter eggs and cameos it could give The Incredible Hulk a run for its money it is amusing.
So let’s talk about Gambit the character everyone has been waiting to see on the big screen. Gambit was portrayed by Taylor Kitsch so accurately it is as if he has been pulled right out of the 90s animated series. Taylor’s character has what I believe to be the best action sequences of the film and retains all the character traits we all know and love. We all have our own image of the Rajin Cajun in our minds and I believe he has satisfied my Gambit hungry appetite for now (until a Gambit spin-off is announced).
That’s one fanboy favorite in the bag now lets talk about the other one…Wade Wilson/Deadpool. In a decision that has upset die-hard deadpool fans he has been made into the Weapon Xl with a large array of powers created to kill Wolverine. The worst part is his mouth is sewn shut so say goodbye to Ryan’s hilarious jokes that come as a two part deal with both him as an actor and the character as Deadpool. Fans can only hope a spin-off is made to clear up the mess this film has done to the character though that might be a bit difficult to get round audiences heads…
A surprise character is reveled at the climax of the film to greet Tim Pococks brief Cyclops in a scene that’s obviously setting up for 20th Century Fox’s X-Men: First Class currently being written by Josh Schwartz.
To sum up the first of the summer blockbusters in a kick start to wet the lips of movie fans all around with this action packed effects heavy film. This film should not have any problems at the box office and the leak should not have any effect on its intake. This film wraps up Wolverines origin and nicely ties it to the original trilogy but at the same time leaves the door open for future installments which is clearly what the powers that be have in mind.
3/5 Stars