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X-Men Origins: Wolverine
- Review Date: April 30, 2009
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
More brutal action than in earlier X-Men films.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this comic book prequel isn't as tween-friendly as the earlier X-Men movies. Although many of the mutants are pretty indestructible, the action is still bloodier than in the previous films, thanks to the fact that much of it is carried out with the slashing edge of a claw, talon, or blade. There's also war violence, gunplay, a decapitated animal, and scary/grisly images of medical experiments, as well as kids being taken captive. Also expect mild male nudity (non-sexual shot of bare buttocks), and some drinking and swearing ("s--t" is as strong as it gets).
What's the story?
Set before the events of the X-Men franchise, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE tells the story of Hugh Jackman's quick-healing, metal-clawed superhuman superhero (aka Logan), from fighting wars to joining a special superhuman dirty tricks group; from walking away in disgust to coming back for vengeance. Wolverine's old employer, Col. William Stryker (Danny Huston), offers him the medical-scientific upgrades to make his revenge possible, but Wolverine learns that it's all part of a much bigger plan to make an ultimate killing machine that Stryker can pit against all mutantkind. Can Wolverine -- who stands alone -- step up, be a leader, and save the day?
Is it any good?
Much like the over-stuffed, over-done X-Men: The Last Stand, Wolverine is a fairly bloated film with too many characters, too much comic book trivia, and, ironically, not enough Wolverine. "More" in this case doesn't mean "better"; here, it's simply too much, with supporting characters crowding out the lead.
The action scenes are acceptable, even though the film doesn't do much with its '70s setting (since the only time-setting plot point is the Three Mile Island disaster, it's not always clear when all this is happening). Jackman has a real charm and a sly sense of humor; regrettably, the film doesn't give him much to do with either of them. And while Huston and co-star Liev Schreiber are charismatic in their bad-guy roles, the fact that the film bypasses them in favor of a silent, speechless ultimate bad guy detracts from their work. Wolverine feels like it was produced by people who were more interested in making money and selling toys than they were in telling a coherent, fun story, and the film suffers for it.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether the violence in this movie has more impact than that of the earlier X-Men movies. Why or why not?
How are Wolverine's fights different than those of characters with different powers/abilities? Is he comfortable with his strength? How does he control it?
The film seems to be saying that you can make the choice to not kill an enemy -- but is that message clear amid the high body count?
Discuss the appeal of comic book movies. Why do audiences like them so much?
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AGE
Let me just say that I'm an adult horror fan, I tend to laugh at horror movies and the violence here was a bit much for me. This stuff passes for normal nowadays and your older teen, if they watch action movies, can probably handle it. The deaths of characters who aren't basically immortal are handled very seriously, and a lot of the misbehavior (specifically the violence and drug use) is shown with two basically immortal guys who cannot die. Why would they not smoke and drink? It won't kill them. In that sense it's a bit less harmful than other characters. That's why I have little moral issue with the violence and drinking here, but do think it should be saved for older kids who can grasp that they have nothing in common with Wolverine.
And yet there is moral stuff here. This movie is about Wolverine developing a conscience. That's a pretty good idea. Wolverine's girlfriend always tries to find non-violent solutions to problems, again acting as a sort of conscience. The characters who try to fight, aside from Wolverine, get killed in various ways. It's not a broad, anti-fighting movie. It's personal, nuanced, more provocative of discussion than any specific outcome. Perfect for older kids who need to find their own moral compasses through discussion anyway.
In terms of the actual movie, it's kinda slow and confusing. I'm a casual X-men fan and I had to watch with about six wikipedia tabs open. Well produced, decent CG (and I hate CG, so that says something), great acting from Jackman and the lady who played Wolvie's girlfriend. Ryan Renolds is a show stealer, and that rapper guy was... surprisingly decent.
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AGE
The most violent X-men movie by far, but still very good
This is probably the most violent X-men movie they have made. The 'bad guy's' hobby or job is to experiment on mutants, and there is a lot of surgical imagery, including scenes where you see what they are doing, what experiments, etc. There is a murder of two newly introduced but very innocent people, that is very unneeded and sad. It was quite confusing at points, and I think that it woud be much better if you have seen the first three instead of starting on this movie. You will be able to understand the plot of the movie much better, because you will know what will happen to Wolverine, and it is a much better way of doing it. The only thing that there is to worry about in this movie is most definitely the violence. It is pretty extreme, and it is definitely HollyWooded up, and it makes it much mre graphic than need be. But otherwise, it is a very well done movie, and the actors are very good. I would recommend this movie to mature viewers 12 and up.
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Kid, 10 years old
January 8, 2011
AGE
a evil army soilder named willam stryker trys to help a crazy man named logan so he starts science on him but then logan turns into a killer named wolverine so willam trys to kill him
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AGE
For those who grew up watching Wolverine
Fantastic movie! The best in the X-Men series by far. Wolverine has been my hero since I saw the first X-Men when I was six years old. I made it a ponit to watch it for Hugh Jackman; and Liev Schreiber OWNS his role!!
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AGE
An incredibly violent movie, but it's interesting
Wolverine is a good role model because he saved the other good guys who were trapped. In one scene, Wolverine is naked jumping down near a waterfall right after his bones because metal when his memory was erased. Weapon XI was the antagonist who was really strong and invincible. When Wolverine was fighting against Weapon XI, Weapon XI's eyes have lots of laser shooting out of it and that was so violent. At the last part of the battle, Weapon XI's head gets cut off and his laser eyes break up the tower. At the aftercredits scene, there was a secret thing that Weapon XI said which was "I'm alive, but don't tell anyone." in a different way besides actually saying it.
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AGE
SHADOWFC: PAY ATTENTION! Also, the best X-Men movie yet!
THIS REVIEW IS FOR SHADOWFC
Dear shadowfc,
I am a 13 year old boy. I think you should let your daughter watch this movie. First off, the language. This movie's language is about average for a PG-13 movie. The show Heroes that you let your daughter watch contains more than one or two cuss words, which is supposedly your limit. The violence can be pretty brutal, but most of the killings is off-screen. Also, you were worried about the sex. A couple lie in bed together, but they aren't doing anything; they're just laying there. Also, you see Wolverine's butt for about two seconds. There is no sex, you see a butt for two seconds, most of the killing is off-screen, and the language is average for a PG-13 movie. You should allow your daughter to watch this movie. If she can see Heroes, then she can see this. She is 14! I'm 13, and this movie didn't scar me for life or anything. You said it's not appropriate for her, but it will not negatively effect her. This is the best movie of the series; she's really missing out.
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AGE
Too much of this, that, and the other
I've started reviewing movies here primarily because my 13 year old is the trend setter of the family. I have two younger daughters and would never let them watch this movie. My oldest loves superheroes and has seen most of the Heroes episodes, which has far more blood than this movie. She has also seen the other Xmen movies, but I ultimately decided not to let her watch this movie just yet based on the level of constant violence, sex, and adult language.
The language is just over the edge with many of the expletives described above. One or two is my limit, but I particularly draw the line when the hero uses this language consistently.
Sexual content is another sensitive subject for my family - and this again was a bit too much. Wolverine is shown completely naked in an extended scene (but he's much too far away to make out any parts). He is shown in bed with a woman he is clearly not married to and they have many intimate kissing scenes.
The clencher is the violence. As described, it is non-stop. Shooting, impalings, beheadings... it just goes on and on. It's just too much for a young teen. I also agree that the violence washes down any positive messages, so I'm not including those in my review.
While I, personally, enjoyed the movie - it was not my favorite of the series. My vote is to wait a few years for my oldest to see, so I'm voting this movie OK for 15 and over.
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AGE
great movie
The move was very good but had some langauge and lots of violence
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AGE
This is not a Superman movie...
The X-Men franchise may contain super-heroes, but one must understand that the characters are more emotionally complex than most other super-hero movies. Within their "mutant" identities we see X-Men and other mutants come to terms with prejudice, assimilation, and exploitation. This is not Superman.
Kids familiar with the comic will know more what to expect from this movie and will likely not be disappointed. You might want to consider weather your 10-13 year-old child is ready to understand these types of topics before letting them see this.
In this movie we learn the source of Wolverine's post-traumatic stress disorder and the variables that fuel his general distrust for relationships. The war scenes are brief, but very suggestive of the horrid violence and mindless killing that can come with war.
Wolverine is a complicated character-- more so than Batman or other Superhero movies we have seen recently. This movie shows us why he struggles with identity issues above and beyond simple memory loss. Make sure your kid can grasp these concepts or for them it will just be another action flick of mindless killing and revenge.
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| Topics: | superheroes |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Gavin Hood |
| Cast: | Danny Huston, Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 107 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 1, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | September 15, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense sequences of action and violence, and some partial nudity |
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