Monday, 19 October 2009

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X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Discover how Hugh Jackman got to be so bad-tempered in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (out now on Blu-ray and DVD).

Hugh Jackman stars as Wolverine

At last we get the back story on the unofficial star of the X-Men movies in the ‘prequel' X-Men Origins: Wolverine (out now on Blu-ray and DVD).

It's off to the mid-19th century for us as we learn how Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) discovered his mutant powers - killer metal claws, indestructibility and Noddy Holderesque sideburns.

With such marketable skills Wolverine, then plain old James Logan, teams up with his equally gifted half-brother Victor Creed aka Sabretooth (Liev Shrieber), to become mercenaries in the American Civil War, World Wars I and II and Vietnam.

They're talent-spotted by a ruthless commander (Danny Huston) putting together a deadly band of mutant soldiers for hire.

But Sabretooth enjoys a bit too much job satisfaction and after a bloodbath with a Nigerian conflict diamond dealer Wolverine leaves him and the team in disgust.

He plans a simple backwoods way of life but is hunted by Huston who won't let such a valuable commodity go.

The chase does on for decades which gives director Gavin Hood the glorious excuse for blockbusting action sequences with more and more powerful weaponry and explosions.

Jackman relieves what could be a boys-own bloodfest with his trademark humour and a bit of romantic interest with girlfriend Kayla (Lynn Collins).

Fans will also be thrilled to know that this is just the first of the X-Men backstories and there'll be plenty more Origins to come.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine out now on Blu-ray and DVD. Both versions contain extras.