Film Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

COMIC book movies have never been more in-demand than they are right now, and one which has been quenching the thirst of animation-adaptation fans this year is X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
By far the most popular of all the X-Men characters, James 'Logan' Howlett (aka Wolverine), has one of the most interesting and complex back stories in the Marvel Comics universe, and it seems only fitting that this story is finally being told on the silver screen.
The story begins with a portrayal of a young James Howlett – mutated bone claws and all – alongside his brother Victor Creed (aka Sabretooth), using their regenerative powers to fight side by side in several historic battles, from the American Civil War to Vietnam.
Eventually, they become part of an elite team of mutants known as Team X, but fractures in their relationship begin to occur, resulting in Wolverine's self-imposed exit from the group.
There are a few flaws and plot holes in the early stages – and indeed throughout – but provided you're willing to suspend your disbelief, these minor inaccuracies don't get in the way too much.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about Wolverine's tortured past, as well as witnessing the introduction of several much-loved Marvel characters including Gambit, Emma Frost, Silver Fox and master swordsman Deadpool.
Some of these silver screen debuts truly hit the mark, with Taylor Kitsch's turn as the card-throwing and highly skilled kinetic energy manipulator Gambit being the absolute pick of the bunch.
Deadpool may not be the character many fans of the comics remember, but his cinematic transformation is far from sacrilegious, and gives him a much more sinister edge.
Of course, highest praise must be given to the colossal Hugh Jackman, whose casting as Wolverine remains a true masterstroke to this day.
The fight sequences are superbly crafted – although one is played for laughs and fails miserably – and the special effects are breathtaking.
Overall it's a fun but flawed outing which could have been better, although it will surely serve as a platform for future spin-offs and prequels in the X-Men franchise.