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.