Wolverine is in conflict with his inner nature. Unfortunately, this film's creation was in conflict with itself.
What could be a great film, defining Logan's true origin in a poignant character drama, becomes an overwrought and simply okay film. Blame the production. David Benioff's (Game Of Thrones co-runner) script was rewrit and overwrit by four others, even daily during filming. Strikes, halts, and workprint leaks staggered it. The struggle between studio and the director on direction and tone was so severe that Richard Donner (Superman) himself flew in to referee.
The film is loosely adapted from acclaimed illustrator Barry Windsor-Smith's "Weapon X" (1991) storyline, about the program that created Wolverine; and the "Origin" (2001) series, a redefinition of his longer heritage that Marvel Comics ironically made under pressure to beat the X-films from doing so.
The prequel's goal was to profile the loner in the years before his team. This works best in the struggle against the improved Sabretooth. But attempts to please fans with mutant guests backfire with convolution and shoddy continuity. The biggest mistep is a bungled attempt at Deadpool, a lunatic wiseass who here perversely becomes a speechless killbot. What carries the film is the clear comittment of Hugh Jackman himself as Logan, who takes on more nuance in a solo setting, and Liev Schreiber as Sabretooth, whose edge is palpable.
