‘The Wolverine’: A Story about Courage

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With another chapter coming this year and this movie from 2013 to help “bridge” that upcoming installment with ‘The Last Stand,’ the popular X-Men don’t seem to be losing momentum in the hearts of fans – or the box office. 

Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine

The Wolverine (2013) Film Review

A loner who drifts is what Logan (Hugh Jackman) is best at. His life has become a shamble of what it once was and he’s now living a nomadic life in the mountains. No matter how far he runs he can’t shake the memories of Jean Grey. Then there’s Yukio (Rila Fukushima), a young woman who seeks him out at the request of her boss, a man Logan once saved during World War II.

Yashinda’s dying wish is to thank Logan. Or this is what Yukio says. Once he arrives to speak with this long-ago acquaintance, Logan realizes the man has ulterior motives. Shortly after arrival, Yashida dies and Logan prepares to return home. But then, a kidnapping plot involving Yashida’s granddaughter, Mariko (Tao Okamoto) holds him back. 

No matter what else happens or what may go “boom!” in the adventures of X-Man, it seems fate that Logan will always be painted as a kind of tragic figure. The first time I met him, his tranquil life is disrupted, and he soon grieved the loss of the woman he loved. In The Wolverine he’s again not over the loss of a woman. It would appear, Logan is not a man with happy ending future. If a viewer can move beyond this, this edition to the X-Men trilogy is okay. It’s a film that can stand on its own with exception to the epilogue scene that sets up the next movie. None of the characters from prior movies appear; there are no mutants, and in their place is a script that chronicles Logan rediscovering purpose.

FILM REVIEW | X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

The Wolverine (2013): A Story about Courage. We review the Marvel film, 'The Wolverine,' which takes a closer look at Logan's story. Hugh Jackman stars. #FWArchives #Wolverine #Marvel #Movies #HughJackman Click To Tweet
The Wolverine

Moving the story to a location or situation that we’ve not seen Logan conquer is interesting. I don’t love or hate it and am a bit disappointed to find Logan moping (again) at the start. Once I adjust my expectations, I did enjoy this installment. As usual, the stunts are a-m-a-z-i-n-g. The climax is not only big, but also weaves an emotional element into its reveal. Save for the beginning, the movie jumps right into the pulse-pounding action, and barely stops. Again, the acting is wonderful.  

It’s been nice to see a series keep the same person as a central character instead of a hero who appears in one or two movies only to bow out. Writers do seem conflicted over who they want Logan to be, and this is demeaning. Every cloud does have a silver lining and we accept the good with the bad. I like Logan being still at the forefront of this series but am beginning to feel like his story should be void of romantic entanglements. To say this is unusual because I do like the hero to find happiness. Yet with the way things are going, all Logan has is good-bye.

Famke Janssen and Hugh Jackman

If you’re an avid fan of this series, then The Wolverine is a must-see. It’s got a decent script although I cannot pretend that I didn’t miss seeing some fan favorites return. Because of the general mood of the script, I will say, this film doesn’t retain the same light-heartedness as before though taking a more serious approach to the material works. Writer’s test Logan beyond any of his other rescue missions, and as a result, my interest to see where ‘Days of Future Past’ takes this character is high. Though as with the entire series, who knows in what timeline order the upcoming movie will fall; this is the unanswered question.


Content: it’s implied Logan sleeps with a woman [there’s a shot of them lying together] and there are dream sequences while he’s in bed involving Logan remembering Jean [kissing]. There’s a scene of a man dancing with/caressing three women in a hotel room. There are a few other suggestive scenes as well as lots of curve-hugging, inappropriate clothing on various female characters. The body count piles up throughout the entire movie and some of it is a bit “graphic” or bloody – Logan rips an implement out of his chest, opponents clash with swords and end up bleeding out or a massive machine tears apart anything in its path. Logan is brutally attacked in the climax. Bullets fly and there is a bar scuffle in the opening of the film. There’s also some drinking. Profanity includes an f-word, multiple uses of lesser profanities including sh*t, b*tch, etc. as well as abuse of God’s name. The film is PG13.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

10 comments

  1. I liked this movie and especially its butt-kicking Asian heroine but I do think movies that feature all of the X-Men have more clout. When I got to the end and everyone "froze" — I started squealing in the theater, since I knew Magneto and Xavier were about to show up. Logan is indeed a tragic figure — his life stinks.

    1. I agree. I enjoyed this installment but honestly, I felt like something was "missing." Maybe it was Logan's more familiar pals being absent… I don't know. Or perhaps I just wasn't in the right "mood" for an X-Men adventure. ;) Either way, I still liked The Wolverine and suspect that a second viewing will endear it more.

      LOVED that end scene; it was fabulous to see those two friends turned foes show up.

    2. Wolverine is a "beloved" character, but he's not strong enough to carry his own film. The heart and soul of the X-Men franchise is the friendship between Eric and Charles. I like many of the mutants, but I always watch it for them! (Looking forward to the new one this spring!)

    3. I know you didn't like it any but I liked Logan's 'Origins' movie and see, in that one, he was surrounded by fellow mutants too. Beyond that, Logan is just one tragic life after the next. It's sad, really.

      I'm just as excited for the upcoming movie! It looks smashing plus getting the "old" faces with the newbies…? Brilliant. ;)

  2. I knew as soon as I saw the previews that I would like this movie and I wasn't disappointed. I especially liked Mariko. She was an excellent female character.

    1. Glad you enjoyed the movie, Lauren! I think a second viewing will endear the movie to me more also. :)

      It's great to "see" you here, Lauren! Glad you were able to stop by – you're always welcome. :)

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