A Fan-Girl's Take on Wolverine

A Fan-Girl's Take on Wolverine

What does this rabid, hard-core she-fan think?

Review Opinion
By sniktchick74 - May 02, 2009 09:05 AM EST

Let me start off by saying that I am not a casual fan of Wolverine. I did not go see the movie just to see Hugh flex his muscles, or show off his bum (although it's a very nice bum). I have an extensive collection of all of Wolverine's comics/appearances and other memorabilia filling up my home. I know the character inside and out.

So, hearing, over a year ago, about early versions of the script, I knew I was going to have to take this Wolverine's continuity as separate from that in the comics. If you've seen the other X-men movies you should know that the studios break away from the comic continuity. Would I have liked them to stay truer to the source material? Yes. However, I am just thrilled that I got to see the Wolverine in all his snarly, pissed-off glory on the big screen.

I did not watch the leaked version, but I did read the negative early reviews coming in. I tried to go into the theatre with an open mind. Now onto my thoughts...

The opening minutes of the movie were great. I enjoyed the prologue, where young James sees his “father” killed , then “pops” his claws for the first time. I thought the boys portraying young James and Victor did a fine job. I also really liked how they handled the various wars Logan fought in. It established his unnaturally long life, and also he and Victor's close, intense bond.

I liked the “peaceful interlude” bit with Logan and Silverfox in Canada- what some guys here have termed “the chick-flick” part. I disagree- this part of the movie was necessary. Logan has always run from his nature, rather than embracing it. This shows that side of him, how he wants to live a “normal” life, but keeps getting drawn back into conflicts, often against his will. Something tragic had to happen to him, to be the catalyst in his decision to undertake the adamantium-bonding process. I enjoyed this rarely seen side of Logan.

In short, I think the movie overall was quite good. Hood and Jackman did a fine job of showing us the essence of Wolverine- his dual, conflicted nature. That being said, I would liked to have seen more depth to the story-the movie mostly hit the highlights of Wolverine's long life. But, that's the fan-girl in me talking- I'd watch a 6 hour long Wolverine movie!

The action was well-done with some awesome fights, especially between Logan and Victor. (though these fights could have gone on longer, in my opinion). I wish they'd gone ahead and given the movie an R rating, so we could see some blood/injuries when people got stabbed, or had several tons of logs dumped on top of them.

There was a good balance of intense, dark moments and humor.

The CGI could have been better- sometimes Logan's claws looked fake.

There were lots of nods to the comics scattered throughout the film, such as the Weapon-X VR helmet in Stryker's lab. I also liked how subtly Wolverine's indestructibility was reinforced at times, like after falling off the reactor, he broke the concrete when he hit the ground. Or when, after receiving his adamantium, he sat on a Harley and completely compressed the suspension with his weight.

I really liked seeing Gambit and Wade in the movie, however I thought Wade as Weapon XI was a bit hokey, especially with the wakizashi's coming out of his hands. But all you whiners out there complaining about their treatment in the film need to suck it up! This was Wolverine's movie, not theirs.

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LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/2/2009, 3:38 PM
Come onnnn most girls liked this movie coz HUGH stars in it lol!!! I also went with a opened mind, but it was no WATCHMEN by far!!! An yeah @ SNIKTCHICK74 @ That's one word for WEAPON XI heh heh!!! : D ... p.s WOLVERINE should've been 10 times better, i'll say it again, it was wrote by a 5 year old lmao! But im glad WOLVERINES making lotsa money, its good for everyone! ; )
sniktchick74
sniktchick74 - 5/2/2009, 3:43 PM
I'm not most girls, LEEE777! Sure Hugh looks good, but that definitely ain't the *main* reason I went.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/2/2009, 3:49 PM
Well glad you loved it SNIKCHICK @ but it could've been so much better!!! ORIGIN wise! I nearly chocked on my pop corn when i saw WOLVIE's bare a$$ lol! : D (Damn i just saw the trailer on tv when i was writing this lol).
loganaspatch
loganaspatch - 5/2/2009, 3:53 PM
i liked your review, i think all fanboys and fangirls were upset at fox's adapation im just recovering from it honestly:) ive bashed this movie elsewhere but it was a bashing of the writers and fox not the actors.

would u like accompany me when i go and get my adamantum claw implants?
Phinehas
Phinehas - 5/2/2009, 5:42 PM
You know I just realized that Creed dumped those logs on him with his normal bones without making a point that those would still break. And adamantium bullets the only way to kill him?!?! Im so sick of these medicre comic book adaptations. There is no good reason not to start over here and reboot the story in new continuity. No! They had to follow the Singerman thread. Retarded. It was a matinee popcorn flick, don't spend anymore than that if you are an Xmen/Wolverine fan.
ActionFlickChick
ActionFlickChick - 5/2/2009, 6:45 PM
I'm looking for a couple of well written fangirl reviews of Wolverine, and here you are! I've posted a link so my actionflickchick.com readers can find this review.
TheStranger
TheStranger - 5/2/2009, 8:12 PM
A very nice good and fair review. :)
TheShakeBake
TheShakeBake - 5/2/2009, 8:34 PM
I think the reason the claws looked fake was they wanted them to look new and i tmade then to us look fake but thats ok

See Ya, The ShakeBake
Shadowelfz
Shadowelfz - 5/2/2009, 10:04 PM
Nice review (I especially love the last sentence) ;). I'm glad you see that its a wolverine story in a different continuity and chose not to rip on it for 'not following the comics.' Since Wolvies been around for, what, three or four decades now, it would be ridiculous to do a movie that follows the comic book to a T, seeing as its plot would be so complex and weaving to accomodate his lengthy backstory. No one would be able to follow it except hardcore fans, and contrary to what many fanboys believe, these movies are not made exclusively for them.
lowflams3137
lowflams3137 - 5/2/2009, 11:28 PM
Good review

Phinehas is wayyy off in my opinion
rkeyes
rkeyes - 5/3/2009, 1:03 AM
No comment on Gambit?

He had no cajun accent, didn't look like him, he didn't use any of his french phrases and he used his cards only once? Oh and he jumped 50 feet air in horrible CGI.

Completely misused and destroyed the film adaptation of that character.
Baldbix76
Baldbix76 - 5/3/2009, 1:15 AM
This is by far the best, and closet, review to what I may have written myself. I don't think I could have done a better job. From a continuity perspective, "almost" all of it was off, but going in, knowing what I know, I just wanting to watch a movie, I was most pleasantly satisfied. I would have liked to see a bit more "rage", but for characterization purposes, which is almost ALWAYS needed in a movie (to cater to those who may not know of the particulars of the story)it did a very good job...all in all, I thought this movie was a winner. I'll be more than happy to be in line for the DVD release!!
kenneTHunda
kenneTHunda - 5/3/2009, 2:43 AM
"however I thought Wade as Weapon XI was a bit hokey, especially with the wakizashi's coming out of his hands"

That part made me think about the "Witchblade"
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/3/2009, 3:18 AM
PHINEHAS @ It was a prequel! They didn't hav'ta follow any of the X-MEN movies!?! But i do know what you mean dude!!! God i do hope they start over with FIRST CLASS, but ive got a funny feeling we've all ready seen FIRST CLASS get in a X-Copter at the end!!! I really hope im wrong and we get to see BEAST, ANGEL, CYCLOPS, ICEMAN & JEAN do there stuff!!! ; ) (Oh yeah no Wolverine). I sooo hope WOLVERINE 2 is in JAPAN with no other X-men in it!
ThunderCougarFalconBird
ThunderCougarFalconBird - 5/3/2009, 3:58 AM
Good review. I loved the subtleties like too. Getting on the bike was great!

You seem to have seen the film through the "right" eyes in my book. Too many people are bitching about what they wanted it to be rather than watch it for what it is. Nicely done!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/3/2009, 4:29 AM
I watched it for what it was lol! An i know what it is! : D
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 5/3/2009, 5:47 AM
Good review, agree on most points..but Gambit was bleedin terrible! The actor was ok, except for losing his accent half way through, but they saddled him with awful dialogue and stupid flying ability!
WebSlinger22
WebSlinger22 - 5/3/2009, 9:56 AM
I liked it and she said what I said before in my blog...It's Wolverine's story and not theirs...I do not know much about Gambit but I am hungry for more Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool... And they adapt things now to draw a large crowd and so that everyone will understand instead of just us comic book guys/gals...
CRUSH
CRUSH - 5/3/2009, 11:31 AM
Great review, & Rorschach I have to agree, Gambit completely lost his accent half way through the movie, like when they were in his airplane, dude just use's his normal voice. I thought he sounded good when he did the Gambit character tv spot...but I guess that was filmed after the movie was done, he was probably asked to use a thicker accent....but whatever it was Wolverine's movie, just cool they finally got Gambit on to the big screen, I can't see anyone making a Gambit movie, after watching his 10-15 minutes in Wolverine, I think the best we will get is perhaps having Gambit in Wolverine 2 & if they go ahead and make Wolverine 3, as a main character fighting & helping Logan through out the films.
KingCold420
KingCold420 - 5/3/2009, 12:01 PM
Good review you hit this one right on the nose
nuff said
sniktchick74
sniktchick74 - 5/3/2009, 12:03 PM
Sorry for the long delay in replying, guys! My @#$%ing internet's been down since yesterday. GRRRR....SNIKT!!

Thanks to everyone who liked the review. I really did try to go see it w/ an open mind, which admittedly was hard for me, since I am such a hard-core (ie obsessed) fan of the Wolverine.

@LEEEE777- "I nearly chocked on my pop corn when i saw WOLVIE's bare a$$ lol!"
ROTFL!! the bare butt scene was quite enjoyable. I had plenty of napkins on hand to catch the drool. ;-) Oh, and I totally agree w/ ya on Wolverine 2- IT MUST BE JAPAN (I re-read that story last nite) and NOOO X-MEN!

@loganaspatch- thanks, and HE!! yeah, I'd be first in line after you for the claws!

@rkeyes, Rorschach and CRUSH- RE Gambit- I didn't really notice that his Cajun accent slipped at the time (I was a bit distracted w/ all the Wolverine-ness, ya know) but now that I think about it, you're right. Other than that, I liked him, heck I even liked the hat so many of y'all are complaining about. :) I liked his cheesy lines, and I liked the interplay between him and Logan- it was a lot like the comics, IMO.



Phinehas
Phinehas - 5/3/2009, 12:04 PM
@ Leee777:
Although it was a prequel, the story didn't break from the linear continuity set by Singerman's "X-Men". For the most obvious example, the same actors to respective returning characters are used (i.e. Patrick Stewart as Xavier and Jackman as Wolverine). So, for the lack of a better phrase, Hood (That is to say, the writers) "reverse engineered" the story into a prequel, that followed and maintained faithfulness to Singerman's. I was never left satisfied by Singerman's attempts, or for that matter, Ratner's botched abomination.
These movies are fun to watch, granted, but I don't like these "interpretations" called "X-Men." I'm glad to see you agree that a reboot is in order with "First Class." But I think you are correct in your observation that the first class got on the chopper. Which, ironically enough, will maintain story continuity and catch up to Singerman's real-time gay "X-Men" adaptation. Marvel needs to buy this franchise back, or at least creative control in order for that to happen. But it won't. People will continue to see it, because it is good escapism. Therefore, the value is too high a price for Marvel to pay, and the maddness will continue, along with mediocrity.
Phinehas
Phinehas - 5/3/2009, 12:13 PM
@ lowflams3137:
When you say, "way off," I assume you mean ɹnoʎ opinion. Then yes sir! I am. But if you are saying mine is off base from a rational critique. Then tear it down with a rational arguement. I won't take it personally, unless you get personal. We can have logical and rational discussion here. I might even agree with you if your points are valid. It happens from time to time.
seraphxenokhan
seraphxenokhan - 5/3/2009, 12:44 PM
Wade wilson not weapon XI. read remarks on dead pool ending post.

This chick was right on.
sniktchick74
sniktchick74 - 5/3/2009, 12:53 PM
@Phineas- I've love to see MARVEL buy back the franchise too, but you're right, it won't happen.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/3/2009, 1:35 PM
SNIKTCHICK74 @ Heh heh heh lmao! : D (An yeah, MARVEL would make better X-movies, but why can't it happen? Does FOX own the rights forever?? Im not too sure how all that works myself lol).
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/3/2009, 1:53 PM
PHINEHAS @ God i hope we don't get that line up in FIRST CLASS!!! Apart from CYCLOPS i say noooooooooo!!! They shouldn't bother if they are! Oh yeah and when did WHITE QUEEN use the diamond power back then??? Anyway ive been told FOX wanted the original team, but then why do that at the end of WOLVERINE??? As for PROF X (Seriously they could've used another actor, what he gonna be CGI'ed through the whole of FIRST CLASS? lol), he just's flies down outta no where and tells them to come with him, yeah right, like they would after all that, they don't even know the guy??? Anyway i know SINGERS X-MEN ain't perfect but if it wasn't for his X-MEN we wouldn't get half the MARVEL movies!!! An i still think they could've easily done WOLVERINE as its own movie with HUGH an not worry about the SINGERS X-MEN too much at all! I mean WEAPON X bit in X2 was much more exciting an grittier than the one in WOLVERINE!?! I bitch alot lol soz heh heh! P.s. it didn't take me that long to write this lol, i was watching the box heh heh. : D
Phinehas
Phinehas - 5/3/2009, 2:03 PM
1. But they did do Singerman's Xmen
2. Just because it was a box office suck-sess doesn't excuse it from being retarded in an infinite amount of other ways.
3. About starting all the other Marvel movies, that isn't entirely true. They had Blade and Spiderman, which was also a success and it remained pretty faithful with modest liberties.

About the "rights" to the property, I suppose it depends on how the contract was written. I don't know about an expiration date, but it may also be contingint on entirely money.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 5/4/2009, 5:15 AM
X Men 1 was the movie that reinvented the super hero blockbuster. Blade was out first, but was never considered a comic book movie and was more embraced by the horror fans, Spider man came out after, and was made directly because of X Mens success. Like it or lump it, Singer made super heros "cool" again after no studio would touch a comic book script after the disaster of Batman and Robin. He also wanted to begin with the original team and have Wolverine and Storm come in later, but the studio thought Ice Man and Beast would be far too expensive to realize on film so he was forced to make alterations.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/4/2009, 8:13 AM
I didn't know that about WOLVERINE and STORM @ RORSCH @ Damn that would've been nice for X-MEN 1 to have BEAST an ANGEL in it! (FOX Grrrr). Though WOLVERINE in that was done pretty fine. Anyway i really don't know why there is all these SINGER haters??? After all like we all know he did reinvent the superhero blockbuster! I think its just because he didn't do X3 coz before that everyone thought the sun shined outta his you know what lol!!! SUPERMAN by the way X-fans shouldn't have anything to do with what he's done for the X-Universe! SINGER will forever be cool just like TIM BURTON is! ; ) p.s. its a real pity SINGER didn't do WOLVERINE!!!!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/4/2009, 8:22 AM
You never know,,, he might of gone with the leather look (That everyone liked at the time) because of the Spandex nipple thing that was going on when that damn movie BATMAN & ROBIN came out an made it all a joke! I dunno but if not for BATS4, X-MEN 1 might of been really different?? Well we'll never know.
selinakyle
selinakyle - 5/4/2009, 9:37 AM
This movie was ...i don't want to say horrible but it was such a disappointment. The graphics looked like photo shop. The sabretooth/deadpool/wolverine fight left a lot to be desired. Why were they killing off those major characters left and right? Were they just there to be picked off by sabre? Really? And remy..as hot as you were, you couldn't even stay in character...where da heck was ur accent dude? He did have some nice scenes tho. And Why was Wade in basically just one scene? All sorts of things dont make sense. And by the way....Nigeria does not look like that! Get it together Gavin Hood. Not all of Africa looks like the slums in Tsotsi.
Apart from rock hard bodies and tight butts, this movie was far from memorable!
Klaatu
Klaatu - 5/4/2009, 10:22 AM
I thought it was the best Xmen movie since X2. I loved the trip down memory lane for Wolverine and Sabertooth fighting side by side. That was cool! I liked the fact that it didnt look cheap like X3. No costumes in this one just cool clothes. Love the leather jacket that Logan wore. I felt like this movie pulled you into the storyline more. After the first half of the movie, i was ready to say, "This movie kicks butt!" I didn't care what the rest of it brought. Awesome movie!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 5/4/2009, 10:59 AM
Well im glad you loved it @ KLAATU @ I take it you only know the movies, which is cool!
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