X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (2009) Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Hugh Jackman | Liev Schreiber
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Hosts re-watched 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' after seeing other X-Men films, gaining a new understanding of its fan backlash.
- ❖The movie's 'Weirdpool' portrayal and inconsistent character integration (Gambit, Cyclops) were major points of criticism.
- ❖Despite narrative flaws, the film was praised for its gritty cinematography, intense action sequences, and strong performances by Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber.
Insights
1Continuity Disregard Alienated X-Men Fans
The hosts, having watched the X-Men films in order, understood the fan backlash against 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine.' They felt the movie shoehorned characters and plot points without respecting established lore, leading to inconsistencies with later films, such as Gambit's unexplained disappearance and Cyclops's memory of Wolverine.
The hosts discuss how the film's narrative choices, like the portrayal of Deadpool and the first encounter between Wolverine and Cyclops, don't align with the broader X-Men cinematic universe. (, , )
2The 'Weirdpool' Controversy and Character Misrepresentation
The film's depiction of Deadpool, with his mouth sewn shut and a combination of mutant powers, was a major point of contention. The hosts found it 'weird' and a 'disservice' to the character, contrasting it sharply with the later, more comic-accurate portrayal by Ryan Reynolds.
The hosts repeatedly refer to the film's Deadpool as 'Weirdpool' and criticize how his character was stripped of his defining traits, especially his mouth and humor. (, , )
3Strong Visuals and Action Sequences Despite Narrative Flaws
Despite the narrative and continuity issues, the hosts lauded the movie's technical aspects. They praised its gritty cinematography, excellent color grading, and well-executed action sequences, particularly the opening montage of Wolverine and Victor fighting through wars and the motorcycle chase scene.
Michael Boo highlights the 'super gritty' shooting style and the 'fantastic' color grading. Brandon Sheiley calls the opening montage 'great' and the motorcycle chase 'excellent.' (, , )
4Hugh Jackman's Enduring Portrayal of Wolverine
Hugh Jackman's performance as Wolverine was consistently praised, with hosts noting his dedication to the role, including his physical transformation. They emphasized that Jackman embodies the core principles of Wolverine: a tough 'lone wolf' with a strong conscience, always defending the innocent.
The hosts state that Hugh Jackman 'continues to kill it as Wolverine' and that he gets 'more shredded' with each film. They discuss Wolverine's core principle of having a conscience, differentiating him from Victor. (, , )
5The Complex Brotherhood of Wolverine and Sabertooth
The dynamic between Wolverine (Logan) and Victor Creed (Sabertooth) as brothers was a compelling aspect of the film. The hosts noted the mutual respect and intertwined history, drawing parallels to the rivalry between Professor X and Magneto, where deep connection persists despite ideological differences.
The hosts discuss how Victor still shows 'love for his brother' and the 'mutual respect' between them, comparing it to Magneto and Professor X's relationship. (, )
Quotes
"Having watched all the X-Men films leading up to this, I now understand the like backlash that this got because it really feels like again they were like, 'We're going to put Wolverine and we're going to do his his origin story, but we're not going to like actually take time and honor the already established lore of X-Men.'"
"I think I wasn't really feeling it. Part of the problem was is they made it too referential to the source material, right? Like the big thing and and what's been great about the Marvel movies from like 2008's Iron Man up to Endgame is they made the comic books and Marvel heroes accessible to everyone."
"He acts all tough, he acts all like lone wolf, but ultimately he has that conscience and that's the difference between him and his brother Victor, that dichotomy."
"Hugh Jackman is grafted onto Wolverine and Wolverine is grafted onto Hugh Jackman inseparably."
Q&A
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