"GET OUT OF HERE, JEAN!"-The Wolverine

Every Saturday morning, I would pour a bowl of Corn Pops, flip on the TV and completely immerse myself into a world of mutants for a half hour. Approximately 20 years later, I find myself doing the same thing. But now the Corn Pops have become popcorn, and what was once a kitchen is now a movie theater. The Wolverine hit theaters this weekend and of course, as an X-Men loyalist...I was there.

Growing up, I had what I'll call a love/super annoyed relationship with the character Wolverine. To me, he always seemed like the character that wanted out of the story but kept coming back because he had no where else to go. Those kind of people suck so I couldn't stand him. But when his claws would come out during a fight, I loved him. Hugh Jackman is phenomenal at balancing the character with the perfect amount of confidence/brooding/douchey-ness/sadness. Jackman somehow makes him even more likable with each performance. It probably also has to do with the fact that he's hot. (Search your feelings, you know it to be true.) Let's be serious, after Wolverine Origins in 2009, things could only go up. "The Wolverine" proved to be a very pleasant distinction from its failed predecessor. The film begins with a memory of Logan's past in the form of a dream. He's riddled with guilt and traumatized by the loss of his one great love, Jean Grey. I've got my own personal opinions about Jean Grey because I haven't quite been able to forgive her for becoming The Dark Phoenix, but that's neither here nor there. What I CAN'T STAND is her showing up in this film every 15 minutes like some kind of creepy angel.  I get it. He loved/loves her. GET OUT OF HERE, JEAN.

Wolverine travels to Tokyo to visit someone whom he once knew, which may or may not have something to do with the dream I mentioned earlier. (Piece it together, watch the trailer.) Here, he finds his mutant powers are in a bit of jeopardy due to crime lords and poisonous mutants.While this backdrop was fascinating, after awhile it begins to feel like an Asian action film where there is always one white guy and he always knows how to fight. (ex: Jason Statham like..all the time.) However, there is a crazy awesome fight on top of a train, which sounds typical but is seriously..SERIOUSLY awesome. Wolverine's humanity is on full display as he becomes vulnerable to injury. We see and because of Jackman's great acting , feel the internal struggle of everyone's favorite mutant underneath all of that adamantium. There are two wars being fought here, and the film successfully intertwines both while maintaining the relevance. The special effects, well placed action moments, and performances by, well mostly everyone are what makes this film come alive in all the right places. I found myself cringing and ducking in my seat. I'll admit I may have gotten too involved. One of the main things I liked about this movie? It is in no way liked to that "Origins" crap. I imagine Jean Valjean has started working out and eating better now that the French revolution is over. He's changed his name in an attempt to forget that stuff with Sabertooth and Deadpool. Oh and Javert.

Don't worry, Jean...I meeeaaan Wolverine. *wink* It's already been forgotten.

B+...Super close to an A because I like looking at him so much. :P  What?