THE PLOT THUS FAR
When Wolverine is summoned to Japan by an old acquaintance, he is embroiled in a conflict that forces him to confront his own demons.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
Logan is tormented by two dreams, one of which is Jean Grey. The other is used as a flashback – 1945 Nagasaki. Ageless, immortal Logan who happened to be in a prisoner camp saved Japanese soldier Yashida’s life when the bomb was dropped. Back to the present: forever agonizing over the loss of Jean Grey, Logan apparently severed any link with the X-men community, becoming an angry lost soul seeking solace in alcohol but with the fire for justice still occasionally burning. This is all perfect setup for a solo flick and the eventual Days of Future Past stuff. But, let’s sweep convenience aside.
For those who would not consider themselves fans, but are rather moviegoers intent on enjoying a superhero epic, be warned. This film is a character study, it does not grapple with any conflicts outside of Wolverine’s internal struggles. The world is not being threatened, and not many lives outside of Logan’s are even being threatened, so the storyline does not crescendo in epic suspense like the Avengers or the Dark Knight. So for those not invested in Wolverine’s personal self discovery, some of the action can seem unmotivated and the pacing an obstacle to satisfaction. The film does its job in providing action sequences, but it intersperses several moments of symbolic soul searching, cryptic metaphors and relationship building that serve as pavement for Wolverine’s self discovery.
The Blu-Ray comes with a DVD copy, Digital HD copy, near feature length documentary, Days of Future Past early look, Second Screen app, the alternate ending that everyone online saw last month and you get the extended + theatrical cuts. The DTS-HD 7.1 HD-MA track has to be the last great audio track of the year. I feel bad because it seems like everyone’s having a baby now and through the next couple of months. I know that my blasting this movie in the AV Theater will result in the eventual hearing loss suffered by these infants. The 1080p transfer is pretty snazzy too. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!