If you liked the X-Men movies ... you will like this too.

Rating: 7/10 (2 May 2009)

I enjoyed the 3 previous X-Men movies, even though Singer was not on board for X3 (which I think would have made the movie a little bit better had he not opted to do the stupid Superman Returns movie) so I was quite excited to see Wolverine Origins. Mostly to see how well they tied it all together in the realm of Hollywood.
I am sure this movie did not have nearly the budget that the other X-Men movies had, not only because it didn't include nearly the amount of cast, but the Director, Gavin Hood, is relatively unknown. Some of this is obvious when the effects that we have seen many times are revisited, albeit poorly in this Wolverine installment. There are a few scenes where Wolverines claws come out, and are so cartoonish in the digital effects that were used that it really takes away from the movie at that moment. The director chose to do some very corny and cliché action sequences like cutting up a fire escape stair case like he is working on a conveyor belt. These are things a more seasoned director would have made sure to avoid.
All in all though this movie is a good addition to the already huge X-Men movie franchise ... but much like the Terminator movies, once the original visionary Director leaves the helm ... the ship just kinda drifts in the same direction. It is still a great 'ship', but if someone else was driving, this movie could have been even better.