Wolverine: the immortal

Who expects a continuation of the previous ones adventures of the rude and sensual mutant Logan will be surprised. In this episode dedicated to the famous Marvel character, feelings, introspection and the action that takes place in exciting fights are the masters. The incipit of the film can be confusing for a few minutes with several flashbacks to Wolverine's past that intercalate with the narration of the present time. Here is a scene that opens on a distant past set during the Second World War, in pre-atomic Nagasaki. The bomb is about to explode, the soldiers try to leave the battlefield and a young soldier on the run, Yashida, is in serious trouble. 

 Logan saves his life and receives a precious katana as thanks, which he refuses, promising to pick her up on another occasion. In the present, however, we find a Wolverine alone, lost, runaway. Long hair and beard, clothes reduced almost to rags. The warm colors of the war scenes give way to blues and purples that emphasize a cold landscape, like the protagonist's soul. It is the feelings of guilt for Jean's death that haunt Logan, in the form of nightmares, from which he tries to escape after leaving behind him. X-men and reneged his battle name. The inner struggle and the search for an unattainable normality begins. If in the other episodes dedicated to the superhero, introspection was aimed at recovering the mnemonic gaps of his existence, in this we assist in the search for mortality which can free him from torment.

Living an eternal life, when you have lost your affections and no longer have any purpose, is a condemnation. Logan drags himself into a village, like a wounded, rabid animal. Let your temper at the first useful opportunity, inside a bar. Attends the scene a young girl with oriental features and a flowing red hair that proves his skills with the sword. -I've been looking for you for two years- says the woman, after the fight, turning to Logan and explaining that his boss wants to speak with him personally. The action moves into a Japan suspended between modernity, made of neon signs and skyscrapers that contrast with the houses with rice paper walls, as tradition dictates.

But Japan is also the scenario where Wolverine had previously loved deeply a woman, Mariko, whom he would have married if the girl's father hadn't intervened. This secret love is a further level on which the narration takes place. The beautiful woman is now married to a powerful Japanese businessman, unscrupulous, arrogant and with morally questionable principles. The woman's father-in-law is another key figure in the story, linked by shady relationships with  The hand, an organization of dangerous ninja with the characteristics of a mafia clan. The clashes between Wolverine and these warriors are action-packed and pleasantly scenographic, perhaps at times a bit too similar to the Mortal Kombat game fights, a little predictable and emphasized.

Changing the scene again, we find the young red-haired warrior, Yukio, who takes on the role of Logan's bodyguard, martial arts expert and with a particular inclination towards clairvoyance. The woman leads Wolverine in front of her boss. The elderly and sick man, lying on a futuristic bed of movable metal rungs, is none other than the young soldier rescued during the bombing of Nagasaki by Logan. The intent of the meeting seems to be motivated by the desire to repay, after 60 years, from the favor received by the superhero. The old acquaintance offers Logan the possibility of living a normal life where death would put an end to his being ronin, warrior without master and without bonds leading a nomadic life.

Logan is skeptical, strongly convinced that his nature cannot be changed, but the old man claims to have a cure that can make him deadly by inhibiting his power of regeneration. In this regard, another charismatic female figure appears, Viper, seductive and curvy blonde just like a snake, angelic looking, but hiding a disturbing personality. Chemist, capitalist and alchemist, as she defines herself, she has the power to suck the lifeblood of people and diminish Logan's regenerative ability. The intentions of this character, taken from the Madame Hydra of the Marvel comic, they are certainly not dictated by a compassionate spirit and behind the sexy and condescending appearance will prove to be a dangerous enemy of Wolverine.

With the diminished powers, Logan is vulnerable, almost like a mortal, but he must still defend himself from the dangerous ninjas of The hand, from the treacherous attacks of Viper and a mysterious warrior, the silver samurai, so called for the ancient samurai armor entirely in silver that covers it. Powerful and athletic, he seems to overpower Logan in combat that tastes like clashes with the big bosses of the MORPGs. The action scenes are numerous and well orchestrated, such as the one at the funeral where you watch Yuko's acrobatic fight, or the one at the Speed ​​by Keanu Rivers where Logan has a exciting duel entirely fought on the roof of a train at high speed on the run. Excellent rendering of the subjective shots that alternate with those in full range and that give the feeling of getting on and off the train for a heart-pounding effect.

In general the plot followed the main lines of the Claremont comic miniseries from the early 90s. The settings faithfully reflect the Japanese taste that the director has intentionally decided to convey in this "exotic" episode of Wolverine, wanting to clearly differ from the others who see him as the protagonist. The film convinces with special effects used in combat and action scenes really engaging that give a new look to a series lately a bit too lightened in the plot. Almost two hours of viewing to follow all in one breath.

	Original title:	The Wolverine
	Country:	USA
	Year:	2013
	Gender:	Action, Science fiction, Comic
	Duration:	104 '
	Directed by:	James Mangold
	Actors:	Hugh Jackman, Naturi Naughton, Kelly Hu, Will Yun Lee, Brian Tee, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hal Yamanouchi, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Svetlana Khodchenkova
	Official site:	http://www.wolverinelimmortale.it/
	Production:	Marvel Enterprises, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
	Distribution:	Twentieth Century Fox
	Exit :	July 25, 2013 (cinema)

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