I can’t remember whether or not I watched the X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The movie came out in 2009, so it’s been a while. I want to say I did watch it, since I’m a fan of the character of Remy LeBeau a.k.a. Gambit, but ultimately it doesn’t ring any bells. Shame on me, I know.
This movie was good in some respects, but a disappointment to me in others. The disappointments mostly lie in all the Asian stereotyping, but as I’ve mentioned in an earlier post on this site, such is the nature of Hollywood. On the brighter side of things, the women here were pretty good about fighting back.
On the one hand, the story is predictable. I was able to call out the ending the minute Wolverine showed up at his acquaintance’s place in Japan. Despite this fact, there was plenty in here to keep me entertained.
I thought the visual effects were fantastic. I didn’t see this one in 3D, so I can’t speak on whether or not that enhanced the experience any, but I thought a majority of the movie was beautifully shot.
A good part of the movie is a will they-won’t they in regards to what will ultimately happen to the Wolverine, and I leave that answer a question mark so that it doesn’t spoil things for people who plan to and still have yet to see this movie.
Fast and the Furious fans might appreciate seeing Brian Tee again in this movie; I don’t think I’ve seen or heard from this actor since his role as DK in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006). He doesn’t play too big a role though, and one scene he’s in I wish I could erase from my mind just because I found it incredibly awkward. It didn’t take anything away from the overall experience though.
FINAL VERDICT: B-
I wasn’t particularly floored by anything in this movie, but I was well enough entertained by it. What this movie really gets me excited for though, is the next X-Men movie slated for 2014, X-Men: Days of Future Past. Just looking at the cast list for that project makes me wish next May would hurry up and get here already.
Oh! That reminds me. Definitely stick around for a little while after the movie is over. I don’t remember if it’s a few minutes into the credits or after the credits are done, but there’s a little something special there that you won’t want to miss.
Cutting Edge Creativity 
If anything, I actually liked the fact that the movie was very good about depicting Japanese customs (ie DO NOT stick your chopsticks into your rice so they point up) accurately. Though I WAS bothered by the suspiciously Korean-looking fiance, and it turned out he was in fact played by a Korean actor. To me, it was the beautiful cinematography and the two leads, Jackman and Okamoto, that made the movie.
I haven’t looked into it, but I think he might be Korean-Japanese mixed. Also, I’m pretty sure he was DK from Tokyo Drift.
I do like how the subtitles for the Japanese dialogue was more PC than what was actually said though. The Japanese kept referring to Wolverine as “gaijin”, which means “foreigner”, but it was translated to “stranger”.
The franchise looks ever so promising now, especially thanks to this movie and the note it ended on. Good review Rae.
Thanks! 🙂