Not the best in the series, but not that far off.

Rating: 8/10 (27 September 2013)

I hate to admit it, but I completely forgot that I saw The Wolverine. As an X-Men follower, I of all people should've written this review a few weeks ago. I had intended on it, but I have been mega busy. So, here I am, telling you now, not mega busy. The Wolverine isn't the best X-Men movie in the series, but it is one of the better ones.
The film follows Logan (Hugh Jackman, as great as ever), who has a huge opportunity thrown his way when he gets to Japan. What is it? A dying ex-soldier who Logan saved years ago offers Logan the chance to live a normal life; to drop the immortality and live life normally. Logan is soon in trouble when this Viper woman shows up, and soon everyone is out to get him.
I am one of the rare few who actually liked X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The script was clunky, but as a movie it is pretty entertaining. That said, I myself was slightly skeptical on The Wolverine. Not because of that movie, but because there isn't much of a cast. It is basically Jackman and Famke Janssen, who returns as Wolverine's dead love Jean. That is it. I needed more than that.
I was wrong though. The Wolverine works because this time the script is better. Also, they picked a director who actually made sense. The Wolverine is directed by James Mangold, an overlooked filmmaker who experiments with genres. He directed Walk the Line, 3:10 to Yuma, and Kate & Leopold. See what I mean? This guy knows how to direct a movie, and with this movie he has created a gorgeous universe. He handles these actors well, because he knows how to.
The star of the show is Jackman, obviously. Once Jackman is gone, so am I. In his sixth performance as Wolverine, it is clear that he hasn't lost his touch. This movie is just part of the reason why he is a star. He's great. Also, the visual effects work marvelously and the action sequences are cool. Also, there is a twist that you will never see coming.
Overall, I prefer the previous X-Men film, X-Men: First Class. But The Wolverine is a consistently entertaining film that leaves you jazzed up for the next (and what I predict will be the last) X-Men film, X-Men: Days of Future Past. If you were left dissatisfied with X-Men Origins: Wolverine, go for this one. It is better. It is a much more mature film with an interesting premise. See it.
B+