Better than anticipated (and frankly unnecessary mutant vehicle) of the always watchable Logan

Rating: 8/10 (27 July 2013)

THE WOLVERINE (2013) *** Hugh Jackman,Tao Okamato, Rila Fukushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Sveltana Khondchenkova, Famke Janssen, Brian Tee, Hal Yamanouchi. Better than anticipated (and frankly unnecessary mutant vehicle) of the always watchable Logan (Jackman still delivering the anti-hero goods) AKA The Wolverine whose reluctance to be a soldier of misfortune continues this time with a seeming debt to a WWII Japanese friend who seeks more than just a reunion: the key to eternity lies within the mutant but at what price to no longer be invincible to the struggles both physically and emotionally. While Mark Bomback and Scott Frank's screenplay tends to bulge at the seams (Japanese Yakuza; the ghost of Jean Grey (the always beguiling Janssen) as an avatar of destiny) director James Mangold anchors the film in reality while still managing some finely tuned action sequences (catching the bullet train is one of the high lights) within reason.