Magneto's Movies
Reel Reviews
I re reviewed this film after watching the ten minute longer and r-rated extended cut. The cut is much more worth it especially for its extras including a special alternate ending that introduces the Wolverine costume to the film franchise
Movie: The Wolverine
Release Date:
Director: James Mangold
Cast: Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine, Hiroyuki Sanada as Shingen Yashida, Tao Okamoto as Mariko Yashida, Rila Fukushima as Yukio, Will Yun Lee as Kenuichio Harada, Haruhiko Yamanouchi as Ichiro Yashida, Brian Tee as Noburo Mori, Svetlana Kodchenkova as Dr. Green/Viper, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey/White Phoenix with Patrick Stewart as Professor Xavier and Ian McKellen as Magneto
Genre: Comicbook
Score: 8.1/10 re-reviewed score
Pros:-A splendid first two acts which while utilize similar CBM tones really have a different style and deeper elements to it
-Explores a very interesting angle regarding Logan's character not seen in his prior films
-Character development for the female supporting characters is unique and they aren't stereotypical or characters closely similar to each other
-There are some memorable dialogues that explore inner characteristic demons for Logan and ones that are bad-ass coming from him
-Direction and cinematography is stunning, it helps shine on the brilliant Japanese culture and aesthetic
-The VFX is much better than any other X-Film
-It really understands the base elements of its source and character, especially Wolverine as a Ronin
Cons:-The third act mostly the climatic battle is a bit generic superhero fare
-The villains are a bit underdeveloped and the film uses recent shock value style for a less impact-full main villain
-The Silver Samurai VFX is shoddy
-Run-time for the film is a bit overlong
Best Scene: The bullet train fight is swiftly edited and savage
Best Performance: Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine and Svetlana Kodchenkova as Dr. Green/Viper
Best Dialogue: "What kind of monster are you?!"-Shingen Yashida
"I'm The Wolverine"-Wolverine
Coolest Comic Book Reference: Once Wolverine tells Jean he has more to live for, Jean walks away all alone into a white light and then you realize she has been in the White Hot Room.
Mild Spoilers Below!
Story
One of the films most entertaining aspects is its story. Yes many will feel it is similar to a lot of superhero's inner angst explorations with the grittiness, but those were origins; this explores an interesting character in Logan and his immortality.
The unfortunate things about the previous X-Films has been Wolverine constant spotlight hogging role (though Jackman is great through and through), what's worse is that every time the films dealt with his memories and his identity. As mentioned this time it's immortality, and as such it is unique.
It is the first two acts that explore the inner issues Wolverine has being alive for forever, it questions on his inner animal and lost Ronin (samurai without a master). The film also develops two distinct romantic angles, the first between Jean and Wolverine and the second between Mariko and Logan.
With Wolverine and Jean, it's about Jean being crutch for the hero. A sort of epitome of all the loved ones he has hurt and how he can bear the burden of loneliness and immortality no more. Once he is ready to let go of her, we get to realize that Jean herself is now alone and the expression as such seems miserable for her when she states "Now I'm alone". It helps really put Wolverine's journey thus far into perspective as lone wolf to one of the X-Men and beyond.
I say Logan in the second one, because this is a man now trying not to be his feral self. Mariko in some semblance helps him achieve piece between his animal person and that of his true honorable warrior. The best it that their romance may bloom a bit too fast, it has that authentic legend type story to it with lady healer saving wounded soldier.
Still Mariko is no particular stock female character, don't let the finale also fool you she is also not a damsel in distress. This is the best aspect of the film, unlike many a superhero films this is the first to have more than two female characters.
All four of these characters have some important arc to fulfill and as such become really interesting characters to watch on-screen. As mentioned with Jean, she is supposed to be the crutch for Wolverine until he himself must realize that he needs to enter the world again.
Mariko may play the love interest, but she also fights to protect herself and doesn't actually require any help. In fact it is Mariko who ultimately ends up being the savior for Wolverine against the Silver Samurai. Although the healing to kissing scene when alone with Wolverine is familiar ground in cinema. The Extended edition does well in exploring her side, including her relation to Harada as well as the Yashida family in depth. This rounds out her and her families character work much better.
Viper is made out to be the major villain for most of the film, she controls the whole situation as seen on-screen. The film picks from last years Dredd, giving the viewers a very lethal female lead villain (a rarity in major blockbusters). Unfortunately the final act diminishes such notions through its obligatory (for blockbusters) surprise reveal and requirement for a "physical" match.
Finally we come to Yukio. The most interesting character from the film apart from the leading protagonist. While early on we already know her as a mutant, its sensational to see some of her action scenes utilizing the katana. There's depth to the character as we witness her prior relation to Mariko (allowing for the passing of the Bechdel test), there can also be seen a desperate need to cling to Wolverine; not only to protect him but also to make a new friend. She enhances her reputation, when she comes to save Logan in the semi climax fight scene against the black clan ninjas in the snowy town. Its an awesome scene captured by her own ferocity and tenacity as a character giving us something close to her comic book counterpart.
While the fact that the writers kept focus on the female characters is commendable, they fail to develop any of the secondary villains. Both Noburo and Shingen are simple stock characters with no real defining qualities. Even before we clearly interact with Noburo as an audience, he is painted as a corrupt official, ass-hole fiancee stock character. Shingen could have been a more interesting character had it not been due to the choice of major villain. As mentioned above, the extended edition allows for a greater exploration of the Yashida clan, especially giving insight into Shingen's motivations.
Most of the great dialogues relate to the inner turmoils face by Logan, they really resonate and form a visualization of the struggle between man and beast, as well as Wolverine's lost purpose. There's also some bad-ass action one liners, including the second F-bomb from Jackman's mouth in this franchise.
Overall the story can be said to be really unique, that utilizes both its setting and situation regarding characters perfectly. The only major issue crops up during the third act, which really brings down the beautiful narrative and character work.
With extended character work, including especially for the weaker motivated villains of the Yashida clan the script becomes much tighter. Apart from that, certain added character interactions and the visualization of a longer fight scene makes the film that much better.
Watching the making of the film you also realize that the storytellers worked hard in crafting a Japanese mythical sensibility to the work.
Score: 9.1/10
Direction
It's the direction that trumps the film alongside the cinematography and production/art design. Mangold really captures the authenticity of Japan, he gives a full scope of its modernizations and its more traditional aesthetic required for the samurai feel. The early action set pieces are shot brilliantly, there is a certain rush to the funeral fight scene highlighted by the shaky cam. The director captures Wolverine's mortal situation with a focused lens and burst effects, as when he is actually hurt it's a first time feeling for the feral mutant. Having seen the making, the authenticity and research put into making Japan come alive in all it's neo-noir (through the modern) and traditional glory is well appreciated. The production design team also works hard in building the whole Japanese styled concept of the Yashida household. Mangold and his team put in a lot of effort into it and it shows more so and its second viewing (maybe because of the making).
The bullet train scene is to die for. It works with the speed of the train and helps visualize Wolverine's tenacity and smarts perfectly. Even the final battle across the village against ninja looks nice, Wolverine's drive to move forward alongside fighting with black clad ninja and snow looks pleasing and superb. Seriously I'm out of adjectives here!
Overall in the original cut, the Black clad ninja fight against Wolverine was pretty underwhelming. Here in the extended and unrated, it gets far more time to develop and becomes a much more powerfully orchestrated piece. The inclusion of Yukio also makes it quite interesting. With an R Rated version the fights, not only this one but all the others become more realistic and visually stunning with all the gore.
It isn't only the action scenes that shine, the smaller more dramatic portions have the added advantage of really interesting camera angles and lighting. Examples would be the scene within the train where Logan washes his very real wounds. The scene is shown from a very squeezed angle as Logan is inside a cramped cubicle. There are also the much more silent romantic scenes, that present a semblance of both Japanese culture and legendary romantic tales/tropes.
With those, the dream sequences alongside Jean Grey in the White Hot Room are shot with soothing lighting that reflects and highlights the white color with Jeans own red hair flaring.
As mentioned the cinematography really triumphs, traditional Japan is utilized with splendid effect. The cultural aspect is in full view, samurai tradition is modernized especially for the Yakuza and Yukio but it still hints at tradition. Skylines and towering buildings including that for the final set-piece are captured in all its stunning glory. Top marks to the design team for all the clothing and props aspects.
Score: 9.6/10
Performances
Kudos to the writing first, without the all round characters at least for most of them than the performances wouldn't be as brilliant. Too many modern superhero films rely on the actors to elevate the writing, rather than the other way.
While some of the supporting cast was shoddily written, they were so brilliantly type cast that their performances came out naturally and great. Brian Tee as Noburo already embodies a sleazy corrupt type with his look and previous roles, as such he easily fits in for the small cameo. Will Yun Lee straddles both sides as misguided villain and secondary lover/protector with ease, its more of the action that enhances his role and performance.
Hiroyuki Sanada also performs well as the malicious and intellectual Shingen (father to Mariko). There is a hint of a spark to the character from the comics, but once Wolverine hits all action mode he becomes nothing but a weak vile creature and Sanada does this splendidly.
Now onto the main characters; Haruhiko plays Ichiro Yashida (the dying grandfather to Mariko), his role in the beginning is limited and highlights some of the authenticity to an older Japan. There isn't much to do and worse he fails during the latter scenes as...
SPOILER ALERT!
Silver Samurai!
As the major physical villain, Haruhiko really hams it up during the reveal and doesn't even get enough screen time to do so properly. This can be chalked up to the story more so than his performance.
Famke Janssen reprises her role as Jean Grey in an extended cameo. She plays off her previous iteration while also adding the layers of Phoenix and an embodiment of all qualities appealing to Logan. Its her expressions worth watching especially the one once Wolverine decides to let her go and the vision of her loneliness.
For her debut film Rila Fukushima plays her part of Yukio as well as she can. Her spunkiness brings a sort of interesting dynamic alongside Jackman's Wolverine, she may not look the part of fighter but she does handle the sword amicably. Her role is reminiscent of the kind of father/daughter or teacher/student relationships Wolverine has with certain younger female characters.
Alongside Rila, Tao Okomato as Mariko also makes her debut. She plays the silent honorable Japanese daughter easily and also makes an appealing love interest. Her performance is more so enhanced by the characters writing as much more than just a typical love interest, she adds some comedic depth from time to time and performs her action/dramatic scenes with purpose.
The film is stolen by two people however.
The first is Svetlana as the major villain; Viper. If it weren't for her limited screen time and the folly of the final act, she would have nearly stolen the show from Hugh Jackman. Her performance is bursting with menace and sliminess, she embodies both the writing and the comic book character easily. Thank God Fox didn't end up signing mediocre actress Jessica Biel in this role as rumored. Even in the action portion Svetlana is good, the only problem is she never gets an extended fight scene with Wolverine of any sorts. Hopefully Fox can retain her for any future Jackman Wolverine films.
The films though really belongs to Hugh Jackman, it was tiring seeing 3 films of Jackman trying to understand his past and get above his lone wolf style character. Origins failed because it didn't have any particular deeper characteristic exploration for Wolverine.
With The Wolverine, Hugh Jackman gets to play a world weary Logan and trying to hide from his past rather than discover it. Jackman has a very morally complex and defined character to play from and he does it well. After five prior films, this is Jackman's best performance as the feral mutant brawler. Jackman compliments his writing brilliantly and defines the role that has defined his career for the past 13 years.
Score: 8.3/10
Score
The score is good enough.
Unfortunately major issues crop up, as most of it seems to be aping Hans Zimmer's style from the Dark Knight trilogy.
On my re-watch I realized that grandiose sense in the score cannot be fully placed as a copy of Zimmer's style. Part of it is also quite grand because of its authentic relation to Japanese music especially the beats, something I missed the first time round.
The other issue is that it rarely utilizes a score to match the Japanese setting, which would have enhanced the authenticity of the film.
score: 7.3/10
VFX
The Wolverine has some of the better special effects from any of the X-Men films. In the setting, the claws look much more realistic with their shorter form. Smaller effects such as the wound from Wolverine's body healing look much better than they did in earlier iterations, their depth makes it seem more realistic as well.
Unfortunately the finale scene is a bit disappointing with its CGI fest. While the shedding skin by Viper is okay at best, Silver Samurai looks a bit cheap and fake.
Score: 6.4/10
Source
The film is loosely based on the Chris Claremont and Frank Miller mini-series called Wolverine. It was the first series to include a solo Wolverine outing, and is a really major influence on the character.
Character wise it really enhances some of the female figures from the comic. Mariko is more typical love interest who gains a stronger resolve post the mini-series, the knife throwing champion addition was done brilliantly. Yukio is much older and actually has sexual feelings/relations with Logan, in the comics she is much more vicious as well. The movie does a better adaptation, making her fierier while toning down the sexual overtones preventing her from being just another sex symbol female character. She is also a mutant in the film, fitting it much more into the X-Film universe. In fact both have a much more deeper relationship that does not involve any male character in between. They also both end up saving the main hero.
Viper and Silver Samurai were later additions to Wolverine's adventure in Japan and everywhere else. Here Viper is more mutant than Agent of HYDRA (a concept owned by Marvel Studios rather than Fox) and as such far more deadlier. Still she has some of the usual comic characters style, including the method of pissing off and intimidating Wolverine (as she does in the comics before and after she marries him).
Silver Samurai from the original comics is Kenuichio Harada, who in the comics is Shingen's illegitimate son come to get his claim of the Yashida empire. He is also a mutant with the ability to charge his katana. In the movie he is a lover to Mariko, for purposes to change the main villain.
In the mini series it is Shingen who is the major villain. He is trying to take over the Yakuza, and hates the Gaijin Wolverine and his love for Mariko. Shingen cheats in a sword fight against Wolverine unbeknownst to Mariko, causing Wolverine humiliation when he goes berserk on her father.
To sell the film, it makes more sense for newly created Ichiro to be the villain but still the other three could have been better additions considering the failed surprise element.
Ichiro is a newly created character, him as villain makes sense considering the immortality theme of the film. It is however the failed execution of the surprise reveal and the subsequent weak climax that doesn't resonate well enough to warrant the change from the comics.
There are no major comic references apart from The White Hot Room where Jean resides as the White Phoenix of the Crown. Not only is there a scene of Jean as his love lost, but there are audio clips reminding Wolverine of his first love lost in Kayla Silverfox. There is also some action pieces that utilize Wolverine's famous berserk-er rage to effect. The mid credit scene also references Trask industries.
The major point regarding Immortality and its loss is a splendid theme adapted from the source, much better than the worn out trope of his memories.
Removing Source from this review.
Ps: Wait till the mid credits for the next X-Film; Days of Future Past sting.
'Nuff Said Bub!
Aneesh Raikundalia
With Wolverine and Jean, it's about Jean being crutch for the hero. A sort of epitome of all the loved ones he has hurt and how he can bear the burden of loneliness and immortality no more. Once he is ready to let go of her, we get to realize that Jean herself is now alone and the expression as such seems miserable for her when she states "Now I'm alone". It helps really put Wolverine's journey thus far into perspective as lone wolf to one of the X-Men and beyond.
I say Logan in the second one, because this is a man now trying not to be his feral self. Mariko in some semblance helps him achieve piece between his animal person and that of his true honorable warrior. The best it that their romance may bloom a bit too fast, it has that authentic legend type story to it with lady healer saving wounded soldier.
Still Mariko is no particular stock female character, don't let the finale also fool you she is also not a damsel in distress. This is the best aspect of the film, unlike many a superhero films this is the first to have more than two female characters.
All four of these characters have some important arc to fulfill and as such become really interesting characters to watch on-screen. As mentioned with Jean, she is supposed to be the crutch for Wolverine until he himself must realize that he needs to enter the world again.
Mariko may play the love interest, but she also fights to protect herself and doesn't actually require any help. In fact it is Mariko who ultimately ends up being the savior for Wolverine against the Silver Samurai. Although the healing to kissing scene when alone with Wolverine is familiar ground in cinema. The Extended edition does well in exploring her side, including her relation to Harada as well as the Yashida family in depth. This rounds out her and her families character work much better.
Viper is made out to be the major villain for most of the film, she controls the whole situation as seen on-screen. The film picks from last years Dredd, giving the viewers a very lethal female lead villain (a rarity in major blockbusters). Unfortunately the final act diminishes such notions through its obligatory (for blockbusters) surprise reveal and requirement for a "physical" match.
Finally we come to Yukio. The most interesting character from the film apart from the leading protagonist. While early on we already know her as a mutant, its sensational to see some of her action scenes utilizing the katana. There's depth to the character as we witness her prior relation to Mariko (allowing for the passing of the Bechdel test), there can also be seen a desperate need to cling to Wolverine; not only to protect him but also to make a new friend. She enhances her reputation, when she comes to save Logan in the semi climax fight scene against the black clan ninjas in the snowy town. Its an awesome scene captured by her own ferocity and tenacity as a character giving us something close to her comic book counterpart.
While the fact that the writers kept focus on the female characters is commendable, they fail to develop any of the secondary villains. Both Noburo and Shingen are simple stock characters with no real defining qualities. Even before we clearly interact with Noburo as an audience, he is painted as a corrupt official, ass-hole fiancee stock character. Shingen could have been a more interesting character had it not been due to the choice of major villain. As mentioned above, the extended edition allows for a greater exploration of the Yashida clan, especially giving insight into Shingen's motivations.
Most of the great dialogues relate to the inner turmoils face by Logan, they really resonate and form a visualization of the struggle between man and beast, as well as Wolverine's lost purpose. There's also some bad-ass action one liners, including the second F-bomb from Jackman's mouth in this franchise.
Overall the story can be said to be really unique, that utilizes both its setting and situation regarding characters perfectly. The only major issue crops up during the third act, which really brings down the beautiful narrative and character work.
With extended character work, including especially for the weaker motivated villains of the Yashida clan the script becomes much tighter. Apart from that, certain added character interactions and the visualization of a longer fight scene makes the film that much better.
Watching the making of the film you also realize that the storytellers worked hard in crafting a Japanese mythical sensibility to the work.
Score: 9.1/10
Direction
It's the direction that trumps the film alongside the cinematography and production/art design. Mangold really captures the authenticity of Japan, he gives a full scope of its modernizations and its more traditional aesthetic required for the samurai feel. The early action set pieces are shot brilliantly, there is a certain rush to the funeral fight scene highlighted by the shaky cam. The director captures Wolverine's mortal situation with a focused lens and burst effects, as when he is actually hurt it's a first time feeling for the feral mutant. Having seen the making, the authenticity and research put into making Japan come alive in all it's neo-noir (through the modern) and traditional glory is well appreciated. The production design team also works hard in building the whole Japanese styled concept of the Yashida household. Mangold and his team put in a lot of effort into it and it shows more so and its second viewing (maybe because of the making).
The bullet train scene is to die for. It works with the speed of the train and helps visualize Wolverine's tenacity and smarts perfectly. Even the final battle across the village against ninja looks nice, Wolverine's drive to move forward alongside fighting with black clad ninja and snow looks pleasing and superb. Seriously I'm out of adjectives here!
Overall in the original cut, the Black clad ninja fight against Wolverine was pretty underwhelming. Here in the extended and unrated, it gets far more time to develop and becomes a much more powerfully orchestrated piece. The inclusion of Yukio also makes it quite interesting. With an R Rated version the fights, not only this one but all the others become more realistic and visually stunning with all the gore.
It isn't only the action scenes that shine, the smaller more dramatic portions have the added advantage of really interesting camera angles and lighting. Examples would be the scene within the train where Logan washes his very real wounds. The scene is shown from a very squeezed angle as Logan is inside a cramped cubicle. There are also the much more silent romantic scenes, that present a semblance of both Japanese culture and legendary romantic tales/tropes.
With those, the dream sequences alongside Jean Grey in the White Hot Room are shot with soothing lighting that reflects and highlights the white color with Jeans own red hair flaring.
As mentioned the cinematography really triumphs, traditional Japan is utilized with splendid effect. The cultural aspect is in full view, samurai tradition is modernized especially for the Yakuza and Yukio but it still hints at tradition. Skylines and towering buildings including that for the final set-piece are captured in all its stunning glory. Top marks to the design team for all the clothing and props aspects.
Score: 9.6/10
Performances
Kudos to the writing first, without the all round characters at least for most of them than the performances wouldn't be as brilliant. Too many modern superhero films rely on the actors to elevate the writing, rather than the other way.
While some of the supporting cast was shoddily written, they were so brilliantly type cast that their performances came out naturally and great. Brian Tee as Noburo already embodies a sleazy corrupt type with his look and previous roles, as such he easily fits in for the small cameo. Will Yun Lee straddles both sides as misguided villain and secondary lover/protector with ease, its more of the action that enhances his role and performance.
Hiroyuki Sanada also performs well as the malicious and intellectual Shingen (father to Mariko). There is a hint of a spark to the character from the comics, but once Wolverine hits all action mode he becomes nothing but a weak vile creature and Sanada does this splendidly.
Now onto the main characters; Haruhiko plays Ichiro Yashida (the dying grandfather to Mariko), his role in the beginning is limited and highlights some of the authenticity to an older Japan. There isn't much to do and worse he fails during the latter scenes as...
SPOILER ALERT!
Silver Samurai!
As the major physical villain, Haruhiko really hams it up during the reveal and doesn't even get enough screen time to do so properly. This can be chalked up to the story more so than his performance.
Famke Janssen reprises her role as Jean Grey in an extended cameo. She plays off her previous iteration while also adding the layers of Phoenix and an embodiment of all qualities appealing to Logan. Its her expressions worth watching especially the one once Wolverine decides to let her go and the vision of her loneliness.
For her debut film Rila Fukushima plays her part of Yukio as well as she can. Her spunkiness brings a sort of interesting dynamic alongside Jackman's Wolverine, she may not look the part of fighter but she does handle the sword amicably. Her role is reminiscent of the kind of father/daughter or teacher/student relationships Wolverine has with certain younger female characters.
Alongside Rila, Tao Okomato as Mariko also makes her debut. She plays the silent honorable Japanese daughter easily and also makes an appealing love interest. Her performance is more so enhanced by the characters writing as much more than just a typical love interest, she adds some comedic depth from time to time and performs her action/dramatic scenes with purpose.
The film is stolen by two people however.
The first is Svetlana as the major villain; Viper. If it weren't for her limited screen time and the folly of the final act, she would have nearly stolen the show from Hugh Jackman. Her performance is bursting with menace and sliminess, she embodies both the writing and the comic book character easily. Thank God Fox didn't end up signing mediocre actress Jessica Biel in this role as rumored. Even in the action portion Svetlana is good, the only problem is she never gets an extended fight scene with Wolverine of any sorts. Hopefully Fox can retain her for any future Jackman Wolverine films.
The films though really belongs to Hugh Jackman, it was tiring seeing 3 films of Jackman trying to understand his past and get above his lone wolf style character. Origins failed because it didn't have any particular deeper characteristic exploration for Wolverine.
With The Wolverine, Hugh Jackman gets to play a world weary Logan and trying to hide from his past rather than discover it. Jackman has a very morally complex and defined character to play from and he does it well. After five prior films, this is Jackman's best performance as the feral mutant brawler. Jackman compliments his writing brilliantly and defines the role that has defined his career for the past 13 years.
Score: 8.3/10
Score
The score is good enough.
Unfortunately major issues crop up, as most of it seems to be aping Hans Zimmer's style from the Dark Knight trilogy.
On my re-watch I realized that grandiose sense in the score cannot be fully placed as a copy of Zimmer's style. Part of it is also quite grand because of its authentic relation to Japanese music especially the beats, something I missed the first time round.
score: 7.3/10
VFX
The Wolverine has some of the better special effects from any of the X-Men films. In the setting, the claws look much more realistic with their shorter form. Smaller effects such as the wound from Wolverine's body healing look much better than they did in earlier iterations, their depth makes it seem more realistic as well.
Unfortunately the finale scene is a bit disappointing with its CGI fest. While the shedding skin by Viper is okay at best, Silver Samurai looks a bit cheap and fake.
Score: 6.4/10
Source
The film is loosely based on the Chris Claremont and Frank Miller mini-series called Wolverine. It was the first series to include a solo Wolverine outing, and is a really major influence on the character.
Character wise it really enhances some of the female figures from the comic. Mariko is more typical love interest who gains a stronger resolve post the mini-series, the knife throwing champion addition was done brilliantly. Yukio is much older and actually has sexual feelings/relations with Logan, in the comics she is much more vicious as well. The movie does a better adaptation, making her fierier while toning down the sexual overtones preventing her from being just another sex symbol female character. She is also a mutant in the film, fitting it much more into the X-Film universe. In fact both have a much more deeper relationship that does not involve any male character in between. They also both end up saving the main hero.
Viper and Silver Samurai were later additions to Wolverine's adventure in Japan and everywhere else. Here Viper is more mutant than Agent of HYDRA (a concept owned by Marvel Studios rather than Fox) and as such far more deadlier. Still she has some of the usual comic characters style, including the method of pissing off and intimidating Wolverine (as she does in the comics before and after she marries him).
Silver Samurai from the original comics is Kenuichio Harada, who in the comics is Shingen's illegitimate son come to get his claim of the Yashida empire. He is also a mutant with the ability to charge his katana. In the movie he is a lover to Mariko, for purposes to change the main villain.
In the mini series it is Shingen who is the major villain. He is trying to take over the Yakuza, and hates the Gaijin Wolverine and his love for Mariko. Shingen cheats in a sword fight against Wolverine unbeknownst to Mariko, causing Wolverine humiliation when he goes berserk on her father.
To sell the film, it makes more sense for newly created Ichiro to be the villain but still the other three could have been better additions considering the failed surprise element.
Ichiro is a newly created character, him as villain makes sense considering the immortality theme of the film. It is however the failed execution of the surprise reveal and the subsequent weak climax that doesn't resonate well enough to warrant the change from the comics.
There are no major comic references apart from The White Hot Room where Jean resides as the White Phoenix of the Crown. Not only is there a scene of Jean as his love lost, but there are audio clips reminding Wolverine of his first love lost in Kayla Silverfox. There is also some action pieces that utilize Wolverine's famous berserk-er rage to effect. The mid credit scene also references Trask industries.
The major point regarding Immortality and its loss is a splendid theme adapted from the source, much better than the worn out trope of his memories.
Removing Source from this review.
Ps: Wait till the mid credits for the next X-Film; Days of Future Past sting.
'Nuff Said Bub!
Aneesh Raikundalia
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