'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' review

Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber (Credit: James Fisher/20th Century Fox)

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How did Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) get to be such a buff, brooding force of justice, you ask? This prequel shows the Marvel superhero entering the Mutant X program and making himself—and his sharp, shiny claws—indestructible to avenge the murder of his girlfriend (Lynn Collins). Co-starring Liev Schreiber as Wolverine's over-aggressive brother, Victor, and Danny Huston as less-than-trustworthy military man William Stryker.

The buzz: A jacked-up Jackman's certainly raring to go, with bulging veins, arms that look like turkey legs and pecs the size of a pot roast. (To reiterate: This guy's meaty.) Not as sturdy are director Gavin Hood's ("Tsotsi") inexperience with big-budget action and memories of the series' last movie, "X-Men: The Last Stand," which turned an otherwise exciting franchise into something stale and lame.

The verdict: Want generic explosions, motorcycle stunts and lots of yelling? You got it. Want something that rivals "The Dark Knight" or "Iron Man"? Sorry. Little of the action in "Wolverine" impresses, as Hood offers a look and tone that plods instead of pounces. Jackman adds desperate resolve to Wolverine's rage—whether he's flashing his deadly fingernails or leaping naked into a waterfall. What lingers in this overstuffed, convoluted bore, though, is stuff like three scenes of Wolverine and Victor charging at each other (enough!) and about 15 false endings that practically take up enough time for their own movie.

Did you know? Among a few failed moments of comic relief are Wade (Ryan Reynolds) noting that swords are particularly memorable weapons if brandished at an ex-girlfriend's wedding (um, ha?) and Wolverine accidentally breaking a sink while getting used to his claws. Note to self: Don't ask this guy to help out with bathroom cleaning duties.

Video: Watch Matt's review of 'Wolverine'

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