The Wolverine - B

Rated PG-13, 126 minutes

Jackman channels a leaner, darker "Wolverine"

Hugh Jackman as The Wolverine

Comic book adaptations have struggled as of late ("R.I.P.D"? anyone) but along comes Marvel Comics' "The Wolverine" to save the day. Darker, meaner and peppered with some sturdy action sequences, "The Wolverine" is an above-average, mostly satisfying but sometimes slow-moving superhero film. In this outing, based on some of Wolverine's comic book adventures overseas, Logan (Hugh Jackman) travels to Japan, where he engages an old acquaintance in a struggle that has lasting consequences. Stripped of his immortality, Wolverine must battle deadly samurai as well as his inner demons. Directed by "3:10 to Yuma's" James Mangold with a script from "The Usual Suspects'" Christopher McQuarrie, "The Wolverine" is a leaner, stripped-down action superhero that relies more on the action and characters than a bunch of explosions. In essence, this is what the recent and disappointing "Superman" version should've been and wasn't. Sure, there's still plenty to keep the young set engaged (blood, knives and robots), though this sixth installment of the "X-Men" franchise has more slower moments with some brief appearances by the lovely Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) as Logan battles some of his demons, as well as some violent ones (self heart surgery!). To balance out the bloodier moments there are a trio of young actresses that also make this outing memorable: Japanese actresses Tao Okamoto and Rila Fukushima as Logan's love interest and an assassin, respectively and Russian actress Svetlana Khodchenkova as evil mutant Viper, who clearly gets the most tongue action in the film. Handsomely filmed and set in Tokyo (a nice change of pace), "The Wolverine" has some energetic visuals that keep the film moving (including a breathless fight scene atop a Japanese bullet train) and anytime the tough Fukushima is onscreen. When the film slows down, which happens occasionally, the film drags a little, especially in its second act, before finishing with a preposterously fun climax that would have James Cameron proud. An entertaining and serviceable comic book adaptation, "The Wolverine," anchored by a scowling but charming Jackman and refreshing in that it doesn't drown in CG and explosions, is worth a look even if you aren't a fan of comic books.

Wes's Grade: B