Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Wolverine faces his ultimate nemesis - and tests of his physical, emotional, and mortal limits - in a life-changing voyage to modern-day Japan.
The Wolverine earns credit for its mid-section, which trades bombastic superhero spectacle for a grounded, noir-tinged thriller set in Japan with genuine character introspection. The Japanese setting and samurai aesthetic give it a distinct flavor rare in the genre at the time. However, the third act collapses into a by-the-numbers CGI showdown with a giant robot samurai suit, undercutting the tonal discipline built up earlier. Acting is solid, particularly from Hugh Jackman who carries the emotional weight convincingly, with capable Japanese supporting performances. Cinematography is competent and occasionally evocative of its Japanese surroundings but rarely exceptional. The ending is a significant weak point, betraying the film's more restrained ambitions with a formulaic climax and rushed resolution.