Review: WOLVERINE IMMORTAL

Marvel Studios isn't taking a breather and keeps providing us with films to keep our interest in their characters. Now is Logan's turn in this new adventure that takes place in the Far East. Here is our review of 'THE WOLVERINE: IMMORTAL'.

By Edgar Pérez

Let me begin by giving all of you who saw 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' and felt it ignored Brian Singer's films timeline some good news: This flick practically takes that alternate timeline and puts it aside as it takes place right after 'X-Men The Last Stand'.

The movie begins right before the attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII, very much like 'X-Men' and 'X-Men First Class' did, as Logan is a Japanese prisoner. In a heroic act, the Japanese free all their detainees and just before they forget about freeing Wolverine, General Yashida releases him from his prison. In return, he advices him that his best chance of survival is to go down to the dungeon where they kept him trapped. Thanks to Wolverine's own act of heroism, they both survive the attack and the General is more than thankful.

At this point, the story fast-forwards to our present day. Logan is a loner, escaping reality, keeping minimum distance and contact with the human world at every chance.

The past catches up to him when 'Yukio' appears in his path to tell him General Yashida is dying and wants to say goodbye to the one that saved his life during the war.

Logan travels to Japan to bid farewell to his admirer who is now the owner of the country's most important company. The General offers him what he has always wanted- to let go of his regenerative powers and live a normal life in exchange that he passes them to him and saves his life one more time. Logan has a surprising response and declines the General's offer. Before letting him go, he asks him for one more favor- to protect his granddaughter 'Mariko' who is in mortal danger. The rest of the story I leave out for you to find out at the theater.

Opinion:

The film fulfills its commitment of being entertaining; barely, though. The story does provide with some exciting sequences and doesn't play dirty tricks on you; what you see is what you get and there are no cheap attempts to fool the audience. In some cases this is a pro and a con in some others, here I believe it's the latter. The fact that the story takes place in present time is good proof that Marvel is doing everything necessary to keep its characters and storylines under control.

As far as the comic side, there are some incongruities that made me turn on my seat, especially about the adomantium (some of you won't only be bothered by this, it will make you hate the flick, you'll see).

One of the supporting characters, 'Yukio' should be making some more appearances on more Marvel movies, the girl who played the part did an amazing job adding some spice to every sequence she was in.

Finally, the subplot that deals with Logan going from a rogue mutant into a warrior with hope for a better future does a wonderful job at connecting this saga with the original 'X-Men' one.

*As it is tradition with Marvel films, unlike DC ones, wait until the end of the most important final credits for a VERY pleasant surprise*

Better than 'Origins', without reaching the quality of 'X2' and 'First Class' but being entertaining all on its own.

7.5/10 Worth the Ticket Price.