The Wolverine

With comic book/ superhero films its a hit or miss. What happens is the characters and story get pulverized by all the CGI and action sequences. Another issue that has plagued films of this genre in the past are to many characters from the comics / too many villains. Spiderman 3 had 3 villains, and a lack of development on new and past characters. The same can be said for X-men Origins: Wolverine. The CGI was lacking, and the film overall just seemed to be the studio trying to craft another x-men picture without the x-men (a young scott summers appears but thats beside the point) In order to have a good superhero movie, the story needs to work. The Wolverine adapts the famous story of Logan's time spent in Japan. In the comics he had gone back to Japan on his own cause of his worry for his love Mariko. The movie version changes this in order to keep with some line of continuity with what's come before, Logan loved Jean Grey and killed her back in 2006. The film details Logan's fallout after he leaves the X-men at the end of The Last Stand.

Wolverine is a solid adaptation of the comic book in which it is based and is stream lined to give the story points to breath. Japan is a great change in setting and really knocks Logan around, especially the villain Viper. Her villain is like a snake, she's over the top and slivers in and out of the background. I found her to be one of Wolverine's most interesting foes. The Silver samurai also has a grand appearance in the film, he is done brilliantly with a few twists to tie him into the version the movie makers have created.

Just to get to the basics, here are five reasons you need to see The Wolverine.

5. The Cast

The Wolverine has such a terrific japanese cast, Hugh does not stand out he molds in with the rest of the cast. Tao Okamoto is so beautiful and strong as Mariko. Hiroyuki Sanada was brillaint as her father, and Rila as Yuiko was fabulous. Famke Janssen also makes a welcome return as Logan's lost love, Jean Grey. Her performance is as good as it ever was. While her character is dead its nice to she her back on the silver screen again.

4. The Story / Setting / Tone

With the change in setting and the cutting back on the X-men baggage gives this film's story the chance to really explore Logan's struggle with his immortality and his guilt over Jean Grey's death. As a comic book adaptation the story from the comic is adapted pretty well here, the way the silver samurai is sure to astound. As well as the great recreation of the villainess, Viper. Played by a russian actress, Viper is a truly dastardly villain here. Logan takes no harm into calling her a major bitch. That's also a thing I enjoyed to in the film, it was not toned down. There is harsh language and there is blood, which was lacking in Logan's previous outing. While not R-rated it's a step above from being too childish. To add on top of that the film creates a great struggle for Logan has his healing powers are put on mute for a time, making him more vulnerable. Now that is what I call taking the character in a challenging direction. An come on, who doesn't want to see Hugh Jackman getting into scuffles with ninjas and samurais.

3. The Score

Marco Beltrami previously worked with James Mangold on the remake to 3:10 to Yuma with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe. Here he gives one of his best scores. The instruments he uses to create rhyme really gets the blood pumping as Logan's trip through Tokyo gets ever more intense. He brings back the classic music of the Bryan Singer films. I loved what John Powell, Harry Gregson-Williams and Henry Jackman brought to the mix but John Ottman had done my favourite score for an x-men film and I defiantly feel Marco has just topped him. Likely, John will top Marco with his score for Days of Future Past, coming out next summer.

2. Hugh Jackman

Hugh taking some time off from the role of Logan, cameoing in 2011's X-men First Class, was a very good thing. This film is his come back. He brings the character soaring back, Logan's charm is back and Hugh is the best he has ever been in the role both in looks and charm. No word of a lie, Hugh surprised me here. His performance was a huge step up from 2009's failure. You can tell this is the story he wanted to tell, his heart was really in it this time.

1. Cinematic Universe

Like Marvel Studios Avenger's film 20th Century Fox is building up the hype for next summer's big tent pole piece X-men: Days of Future Past. A post credit scene ties The Wolverine in with the upcoming film and solidifies its status as the better of the two solo outings for the character.

The Wolverine reverences what came before, there are photographs of Logan from X-men the last stand, and gives insight into the future. Its an exhilarating ride from start to finish, a character driven piece with a terrific villain at its centre and some fantastic action scenes. The future of X-men at 20th century Fox looks very bright indeed.