Some time after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, Logan is living a life of solitude in the forest just outside the small town of Yukon, still living with the guilt of killing Jean Grey. He is soon visited by a mysterious Japanese girl named Yukio who has been looking for him for a year upon orders of his master, Yashida, who also happens to be a friend of Logan after saving him during the Nagasaki atomic bombing. Logan is informed that Yashida is dying and he wants to personally see Logan to say his goodbyes. Logan reluctantly agrees but soon finds out that saying goodbye is the least of his problems.
The film is based on the 1982 Wolverine arc by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, which is very popular and is considered as being one of the best arcs in X-Men. Despite not reading the comic, it's quite an honor to see the movie based on the comic even though changes and revisions have been made. The film itself is laid out like a comic book. The arcs are very noticeable and distinct from one another. We start off with Logan in Yukon where he lives a life of of recluse and having friends with a grizzly bear. It transitions to the next arc by the arrival of Yukio and their travel to Japan. The moment he arrives in Japan is another arc where we see him meet his old friend and finds out the real reason why he was called in Japan. The transition to the next arc would be his involvement with Yashida's granddaughter kidnapping and eventually the romance between them. The second half of the film mostly focuses on his growing love for Mariko, Yashida's granddaughter, but at the same time, being haunted by the ghost of Jean Grey. Jean Grey appears throughout the entire film but the real purpose of her appearances is given further meaning when Logan starts loving another woman. The last arc would have to be saving the day as typical of any superhero movie.
One thing to look out for in this film is the vulnerability of Logan. We see him get tired, get hurt and get wounded, a side where we are not used to seeing or even imagining when we think of the Wolverine. This plot twist gives more meaning and depth to the character that Hugh Jackman has been playing for more than a decade now. The constant visits of Jean Grey in Logan's dream are a debatable topic since some like it while some don't. Personally, I find it very effective in giving more character depth not only for Logan but also the Wolverine in him. Her constant visits remind Logan of who he really is and the guilt she brings to him only makes him stronger despite being troubled at first. In this film, Logan has two women he loves; one is a ghost who torments him with guilt while the other is very much alive and is willing to help him move on. Both characters are very essential to the character development of Logan. The character Mariko is the key to changing Logan. She is the reason why Logan should continue living. The juxtaposition is always seen with Jean Grey's ghost visiting Logan. Through Jean, the point of transformation for Logan is clear and perfectly understandable.
The film is not as perfect as it sounds though. It does have a few things that are off about it. The third and final act of the film is weak. After so much character development and great build up towards the end, it surprisingly fails to give the awesome ending you want. The first two acts would tease so much about different things especially with regards to the other characters such as Viper and Harada, Mariko's childhood sweetheart, that you will expect something significant from them by the end. The twist is fine. I didn't see it coming but it is not that much of a shock. Other than this, one concern is how watching it will make confuse you on where you should put out all your emotions. The movie can be about Logan and his emotional battles or it can be about Logan's battle against the other villains. You can choose but either way, something feels off about it.
In terms of production design and location, Japan is a great choice of setting for the movie. It gives off the feeling of new yet traditional and old. It is actually parallel to the character of Wolverine who lives in the modern world despite living for decades already without aging. The film really shows the two faces of Japan. From a busy and modern city where the young and hip are to the country side where peaceful and traditional Japanese people are. I'm pretty sure it even promotes Japanese tourism at some point since the cultures and traditions of the Japanese are also introduced to the audience.
In conclusion, The Wolverine is one of the best films of the year. Great action, great story, and great characters. It may have flaws of its own but one would always over-look them if the film is entertaining, which it is. A piece of advice, there is a scene in the middle of the credits which serves as a great teaser for the upcoming film X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Rating: 4/5
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