Lacking characterisation and originality

Rating: Null/10 (30 May 2009)

After the original three "Star Wars" movies, there was a long interval and then we had another three providing the back story to the initial trilogy. After the original three "X-Men" films (2000, 2003 & 2006), it looks as if - after a mere three year wait - we're going to have another series explaining how the various mutants acquired their special powers, starting with the steel-clawed Wolverine (the Australian Hugh Jackman). The idea makes some sort of commercial sense, but one of the great strengths of the franchise was the variety of exotic powers on display and the interaction between their use by benevolent and evil mutants and an "Origins" series is always going to be weak on this dimension.
"Wolverine" opens promisingly with a series of short scenes set in 1845, the American Civil War, the two World Wars and Vietnam war when Wolverine's brother-in-arms is the increasingly mean-minded Victor (an able Liev Schreiber). Government agent Stryker (Danny Huston) is the chief protagonist as he develops various mutant powers, but we are missing impressive female characters this time with a weak Lynn Collins as Kayla the only offering. There are some fun action sequences but, if you've seen the trailer, you've seen the very best bits. So, in short, entertaining enough but well short of its potential to exhibit some real characterisation and originality.
By the way, if you sit all the way through the credits (as I always do), you'll see a tiny clip which acts as bridge to the first "X-Men" movie.