X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Gavin Hood

Writers (WGA):

David Benioff (screenplay) and
Skip Woods (screenplay)

Release Date:

1 May 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

Wolverine lives a mutant life, seeks revenge against Victor Creed (who will later become Sabertooth) for the death of his girlfriend, and ultimately ends up going through the mutant Weapon X program. |

Plot Keywords:

Mutant | Revenge | Massacre | Helicopter Chasing Motorcycle | Based On Comic

Awards:

6 nominations

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Hugh Jackman	...	Logan / Wolverine
Liev Schreiber	...	Victor Creed
Danny Huston	...	William Stryker
Will i Am	...	John Wraith
Lynn Collins	...	Kayla Silverfox
Kevin Durand	...	Fred Dukes
Dominic Monaghan	...	Chris Bradley / Bolt
Taylor Kitsch	...	Remy LeBeau / Gambit
Daniel Henney	...	David North / Agent Zero
Ryan Reynolds	...	Wade Wilson
Tim Pocock	...	Scott Summers
Julia Blake	...	Heather Hudson
Max Cullen	...	Travis Hudson
Troye Sivan	...	Young James Howlett
Michael-James Olsen	...	Young Victor Creed

Also Known As:

Wolverine (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and some partial nudity.

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:12A | South Korea:12 | Ireland:12A | Finland:K-13 | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:12 | Brazil:14 | Hong Kong:IIA | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #44640) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Sweden:15 | Australia:M | Germany:16 (cut) (theatrical version) | Germany:16 (uncut) (home video version) | Peru:14 | Argentina:16 | Mexico:B | Iceland:14 | France:U

Filming Locations:

Arcadia Station, Glenorchy, Otago, New Zealand

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

The Marvel character Emma Frost makes a brief appearance towards the end of the movie. Kayla's sister is named Emma and has the ability to change her skin to diamond. Emma Frost has telepathic powers including reading minds and controlling other's thoughts. The ability to transform into a diamond like state is a secondary mutation, unrelated to her telepathy. She is unable to use her telepathy in the diamond form.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Gambit knocks Logan through the wall of the bar in Louisiana, the hole changes size. One size when he makes it, and another when Gambit comes through it into the alley.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Young Victor Creed: You're always sick.
Young James Logan: When you were my age, you were sick.

Movie Connections:

Spin off X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) (VG)

Better than expected

Wolverine is a decent movie. It is worth the price of admission and the 2 hours of screen time. The movie works well as a prequel of the events of the X-Men movies. However, to enjoy the movie, one must suspend knowledge of the comic book material. The movie was made for the average movie-goer and a little for the ultra hardcore X-Men comic book reader. The story has everything anyone could want: family, a little romance, love, comedy, revenge and plenty of action.

I was pleased with most of the acting. I will admit that some dialogue seems forced from the minor cast, but the main characters - Wolverine, Sabretooth, etc. - all work well together. The story did seem a little rushed and choppy at times, however. The 1:45 time goes by quickly enough to feel like maybe the movie could have - and should have - been closer to 2:00.

The movie is as good as the first X-Men movie, and better than X-Men United and X-Men: The Last Stand. I am actually looking forward to seeing how they handle the Magneto origins movie that's being made. And I am really hoping that all of this work brings it together for a possible X-Men 4. I know you agree with me because after all, I know everyone is dying to see Apocalypse as the bad guy.

My only real complaint of the movie is that Gambit (my favorite X-Men character) did not have as much screen time as I'd hoped. He better either get his own movie, or make an appearance in a later Marvel movie.

Ignore the syndicated critics and the negativity surrounding this movie. I'm glad I did. Go see it. Don't let people scare you away from spending your money on this movie. Form your own opinions. Oh, and if you go, stay after the credits.