Critic's Grade: C-

Frank's film tip: Hugh Jackman's WOLVERINE can't claw his way out of a lacking superhero saga in the much-anticipated X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

Talented Australian song-and-dance man Hugh Jackman scored big when signing on to assume the role of the clawed, hairy mutant breakout star of the X-Men film franchise. Naturally, Jackman embodied the angst-ridden Wolverine with a distinctive fierceness that satisfied the most ardent fan of the Marvel comic book character. Courtesy of the popular X-Men flicks (not to mention Jackman’s unique take on thick side-burned beast), it was inevitable that the raging and charismatic Wolverine would warrant his own interesting backstory away from his fellow super-powered X-Men associates.

In director Gavin Hood’s comic book action-adventure prequel X-Men Origins: Wolverine we are treated to the intimate beginnings of one James “Jimmy” John Howlett Logan (a.k.a. Wolverine). Hood (“Tsotsi”, “Rendition”) demonstrates the knack for providing a sufficient visual assault in terms of the action-packed pacing and the explosiveness of confrontational battles. However, Hood never really establishes the essence of Wolverine’s personalized demons beyond pitting our hirsute hero in compromising slice and dice tactical situations.

In an arduous age where the edgy superheroes are resourcefully character-driven in darkness and despair (see “The Dark Knight” or “The Watchmen” for instance) X-Men Origins: Wolverine feels conventionally sparse. Hence, the dynamic and daring Wolverine is reduced to routinely reacting to the colorful chaos yet we are never completely invested in his corrosive psyche. Plus, the thin script is not ambitious enough to compliment the various personalities and conflicts that surround the topsy-turvy world of Logan/Wolverine. Unless you are quite familiarized with Wolverine’s posse of hangers-on one would be scratching their head trying to distinguish the numerous supporting players within the scope of the film’s grainy realm.

After a young Logan inadvertently kills his father, he and stepbrother Victor a.k.a. “Sabretooth” (Liev Schreiber) are forced to run off and seek refuge in the ugliness of warfare. Amazingly, the physicality of the siblings is preserved throughout the many years of them experiencing combat and crisis through four major wars. Thanks to their resiliency in fighting, General Stryker (Danny Huston) calls upon Logan/Wolverine and Victor/Sabretooth to partake in some secretive missions. It isn’t long before Logan/Wolverine becomes disillusioned by the military’s questionable actions and decides to hastily depart the scene. Feeling betrayed by his exceptional “fighting machine’s” exit, an exasperated Stryker exacts revenge on the metal-handed turncoat.

Sure, many fans of Jackman’s Wolverine will get their fair share of animated tussles. Additionally, there are some notable pathos to acknowledge in X-Men Origins: Wolverine involving the senselessness of turmoil and even the emotional loss of Logan’s/Wolverine’s girlfriend (Lynn Collins) at the hands of his once trusted brother-in-arms Sabretooth. Jackman is committed to his alter ego with all the limited naughty charm and impish zeal allowed him. It is too bad that the spotty material fails to flesh out Jackman’s characterization of the conflicted Wolverine to the greater heights that he deserved.

For the most part, Hood manufactures the suspense in a follow-along-the line fashion where the dashing set pieces and choreographed fight-oriented sequences dictate the film’s surrealistic aura...not the complexity of Wolverine’s convictions. It is also a crying shame that the other featured superhero mutants are inexplicably swept over and not given an adequate spotlight to appreciate their forceful participation. There is an array of notables such as Wade/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), Bolt (Dominic Monaghan), John Wraith (will.i.am) and Fred Dukes (Kevin Durand). Sadly, these contributing combatants register sporadically and aren’t given anything to do in random throwaway roles. Only Schreiber’s Victor/Sabretooth is really given some distinctive consideration amongst the super duper squad of oddities.

In truth, X-Men Origins: Wolverine should have been a cohesive spectacle worthy of its anticipated presence. With Jackman’s invincible Wolverine at the helm this pulsating popcorn piece needed to resonate with some convincing pop. Granted that there are some mighty shoes to fill with the competitive challenges in contemporary fantasy fare such as the aforementioned The Dark Knight, The Watchmen and even Iron Man for that matter.

Still, X-Men Origins: Wolverine could at least tie its robust shoestrings properly if the ultimate goal is to branch out and undertake potential big screen comic book installments in the making.

Frank rates this film: ** stars (out of 4 stars)

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