The opening sequence for the 1994s animated X-Men series also gets the stop motion treatment. The original version is on the left, the new version on the right. Kudos to Kyle Roberts for this very cool ode. 

I sat down with some trepidation to watch Logan’s new adventure as it seems that with Disney’s involvement with Marvel you’re not always guaranteed the experience you so badly want …or was it just a case of remembering X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which had an incredible opening credit sequence but then fell into nonsense pretty quickly.

This time around the story and script are most noticeable in their turn around for something more palatable. The dialogue and execution of the story will definitely appease adults and with a running time of 2 hours, the film’s dramatic arcs have been given their due time to be played out, showing a slightly more mature outlook as not every scene is delivered to forward the plot.

"The film still contains some hyper-reality based sequences, but these scenes are not over-played and the meta-physical action, actually make sense to the eye come the second time."

With no producer issuing orders that an explosion needs to happen every 10 minutes, as the 8-15 years olds might be getting restless, the action sequences, when they do come are a lot more rewarding in their delivery than in its predecessor Origins. The film still contains some hyper-reality based sequences, but these scenes are not over-played and the meta-physical action, actually make sense to the eye come the second time.

Hugh Jackman gives a more focussed performance as the tortured soul who can’t help, but to help those who need saving and I am always happy to see Hiroyuki Sanada (The Last Samurai, Rush Hour 3, 47 Ronin), a great actor and brilliant martial artist ply his trade on screen. Two of the three female leads also do a great job, Tao Okamoto (Mariko) gives a lovely understated performance and Rila Fukushima (Yukio) is the heart of the film, if this were Star Wars she’d be R2D2. Svetlana Khodchenkova (Viper) was a bit hammy, but you won’t care as you’ll be so focussed on how she delivers her own brand of mutant action you'll be distracted away from the acting.

Overall The Wolverine is a carefully thought out improvement on all levels, superior in every way to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It is definitely a re-watchable affair and a worthy edition to the cult of Wolverine and I now feel that they can really get started on the character and go deeper - and of course, with all Marvel films be sure to watch the after credits sequence. 

It is never an easy feat to do time travelling films. The quantum mechanics, the space-time paradox's and path changing anomalies could drive you around the bend. So how does X-Men DOFP fair?

The idea of time travel through the method of sending someone's consciousness back in time, for me, was not creating the best premise for the start of the film. However I did enjoy the stark and bleak prologue, where 50 years from now mutants are hunted and exterminated with extreme prejudice. If you thought Emperor Palpatine's 'Order 66' in Revenge of the Sith was harsh, wait until you get a look at the Sentinels and their skill-set that makes them as frightening as they are formidable...though they do bare a striking resemblance to a particular Asgardian creation.

"...and so of course, things don't go according to plan and that's when the fun begins."

As usual in these time travelling adventures, one event is going to change the entire direction of mankind. In this here scenario; a dystopian nightmare has emerged, where both mutants and humans will face a war, worse than any other waged on Earth. But of course, on hand to try and avert this current future (can you say that?) are a small bunch of X-Men, with Wolverine seemingly the only one 'fit' enough to go back in time and stop one mutant's vendetta. In order to achieve this, he will have to unite; a heart-broken, drug addict and a singleminded, homicidal xenophobe in order to stop 'the event'. And who might these two wholesome characters be? Professor X and Magneto and so of course, things don't go according to plan and that's where the fun begins.

X-Men DOFP is directed by Bryan Singer who never created the X-Men films I wanted to see in 1 and 2. But here, Singer redeems himself with the help of screenwriter Simon Kinberg and producers/writers Vaughn and Goldman who's collaborative efforts on their previous films (X-Men First Class, Kick Ass) are always very much appreciated there, as they are here.

DOFP is perhaps the darkest of all the X-Men films, but it is laced with good humour and in the appropriate places has excellent action scenes that truly capture the might of the mutant population. The character development manages to bring enough detail in, to give us the credible motives of certain characters actions, which then make the consequent reactions wholly believable. Look out for 'Mr Speedy' accompanied by a cheeky in-joke of-a-reference to his paternal heritage and a whole string of story threads that will have film fans and comic book fans alike grinning from ear to ear.

Rating 8/10

As for those who were confused by the post credit sequence, I simply leave you with this...