So at this point, Logan has fought in the Civil War, World War I, World War II and Vietnam. (He doesn't really age much; that happens sometimes in fantasy films.) He's been riddled with bullets on the beaches of D-Day and while charging a machine-gun nest. He's been executed by a firing squad. Despite it all, he's doing fine.
Now an official has a fresh offer: "I'm going to make you indestructible."
WHAT?!? Just what about this guy's history suggests fragility or destructibility.
That's one of many point when I shook my head in astonishment while watching "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," which opened this weekend, billing itself as the start of the summer movie season.
Certainly, we fantasy fans can put up with lots of wild premises. We're fine with a character healing himself and living forever. What we don't like is a film that violates its own universe.
Logan (later named Wolverine) grabs a motorcycle and races away, while being blasted by zillion of bullets. Hint: Logan may be virtually unstoppable, but the motorcycle isn't. Why don't the bullets affect it?
Here are a few of my comments; please add yours:
1) Yes, the direction by Gavin Hood is slick, taut and exciting. Visually, this is a terrific movie. I just wish it had a story that made sense.
2) Hugh Jackman is an immensely talented actor. He's been superb in everything from Broadway musicals to the movie "Australia." Here, however, his character has been allowed an emotional range that goes from great anger to total rage.
3) At key times, characters swoop in to help Wolverine when least expected. One of the reasons that's unexpected is that it goes against everything we've seen about the characters so far.
4) Still, it is nice to see Taylor Kitsch, even in a small role as Gambit. He's been terrific in "Friday Night Lights"; now he gets a flashier role.
5) Movie ratings tend to be obsessed with language and nudity, but to let violence go. Here is a brutally violent movie, one that has long, fierce fights by people with sharp claws. Still, it's only rated PG-13. Maybe that's because there's only one decapitation.
6) Recently, I was also disappointed in "Observe and Report," which starts well and then fades. But I was pleased with "Duplicity" and "Sunshine Cleaning."
7) And what about the claim that "Wolverine" is the start of the summer movie season? That, I'm afraid, is probably true.