Having really enjoyed the first X-Men, and despite being disappointed by X2, I eagerly anticipated Wolverine! Hugh Jackman didn't fail me, but the film didn't live up to his performance. That said, it's not all bad. I was entertained from the beginning to … well, for nearly the first hour and half. But then again, entertainment doesn't always equal quality. Jackman is Wolverine. He's got animalistic charisma and audiences will forgive faults in the film because of him. Plus, the film does have some really exciting action sequences. We loved the opening "wars" sequence -- very nice, clever and clean. When Wade springs from an elevator twirling a pair of swords and slicing a spray of bullets -- that's cool cinema. And there were tender moments that worked as well. When Logan is taken in by the purest of people, we're moved with their kindness and truly fear for their safety.

But the bullets deflected by Wade's swords must have ripped through the script. Missing are enough interactions with real people. Missing also, a respect for how much believably an audience is willing to extend. Further, don't let the awkward title fool you, the origins here are incomplete. Why were these boys born part-wolf? Why did they grow up to men and then stop growing? What was it like learning to live with these powers as boys? All these questions are not answered. Also, while most of the film could be summarized as a reasonably entertaining mess, the ending becomes a rather tedious mess.

Last point: my gf, a pharmacist, was appalled by a grossly inaccurate reference to the drug hydrochlorothiazide. The film claims it was used to severely lower heart rate. My gf informs that this drug is used to lower blood pressure, and that it will much more likely make you pee than slow your heart rate, and that people taking the drug shouldn't be needlessly worried.

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --