The Wolverine goes to Japan

Rating: 8/10 (8 August 2016)

This 'X-Men' film concentrates solely on the Wolverine; there are other mutants but not those who featured in the previous films (excluding the late Jean Grey who appears in dream sequences). It opens in a prisoner of war camp just outside Nagasaki in 1945 when Logan saves the life of a Japanese officer, Ichiro Yashida, who had freed allied prisoners just before the bomb was dropped. In the present Logan is living in the Yukon wilderness where he is tracked down by Yukio, a fellow mutant with the power to foretell others' deaths, she has been hired by Yashida to take Logan to Tokyo so he can thank him before he dies. Once in Japan he learns that Yashida has other ideas; he intends to take Logan's immortality for himself! Before he can do anything he dies and at his funeral members of the Yakuza attempt to kidnap his granddaughter Mariko. Logan and Mariko go on the run, chased by a variety of thugs. He doesn't realise that Yashida's doctor, the mutant 'Viper', has done something to him; he no longer heals how he did before. This means that for the first time Logan is in real danger. Before the film is over he will have to discover who wants Mariko and why as well as confront many more foes.
Those expecting lots different mutants with varied superpowers may be disappointed by this; however those who want a solid story and plenty of action should enjoy it. Hugh Jackman is great in the role of Wolverine and the Japanese setting provides a great excuse for him to use his claws against enemies who wield blades of their own. That isn't the only action though; he also has to deal with being gun toting Yakuza and ninjas who put so many arrows in him he could have changed his name to 'The Porcupine'! Some of the action, such as the fight on the roof of a speeding bullet train, is a bit over the top but that suits the genre. Jackman is ably supported by Tao Okamoto, as Mariko; Rila Fukushima, as Yukio; and Svetlana Khodchenkova who plays the Viper. The Viper, a mutant who produces a variety of deadly poisons is a pretty good villain. The film's main weakness is the final battle when Logan must fight a giant robot Samurai; it is exciting enough but doesn't fit in that well with the action that has gone before. The Japanese setting adds to the film with a good variety of locations including the vibrancy of modern Tokyo and the beauty of the coastal landscape one could almost think the Japanese Tourist Board suggested the locations! Overall I'd recommend this for those looking for plenty of action without the unpleasantness that would have earned a less child-friendly rating.