Review: The Wolverine!

Fox has had a funny way of handling their X-Men properties. The studio has coveted their film rights to these characters and have continued to churn out movies to prevent said rights from reverting back to Marvel, and yet they've frequently seemed reluctant to fully realise the characters they've paid for. And never was this clearer than in 2009's maligned X-Men Origins: Wolverine which presented a softened, watered-down hero battling against cheap knock-off characters that barely resembled their comic book counterparts. It lacked substance - not uncommon with this genre - but, even worse than that, it lacked style. And it left most audiences with little faith or interest in the cinematic future of Wolverine.

However, one thing made me excited about the proposed sequel. Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan) was hired to direct and right these wrongs, presenting a far darker (and more faithful) vision. Alas, that all fell through (the most popular theory is that the studio got squeamish about his harder take on the material), leaving director James Mangold to pick up the pieces. And yet even Hugh Jackman himself has been promising that this new film, simply titled The Wolverine, would make up for missed opportunities. It would bring Wolverine back to his comic book roots, darker, grittier and going totally beserk.

Now, I'll start by saying that I don't think Jackman was trying to hoodwink us this time. I think there's a sincerity about The Wolverine where Hugh and the crew are genuinely trying their best to deliver all these things. Bulked up bigger than ever before (and near naked for most of the movie to prove it), Hugh narrows his eyes, grits his teeth, and gives everything he has to unleash. But does he still have what it takes? And are Mangold and the screenwriters up to the task?

I'll tell you what I thought... after the jump!

The Wolverine - First Full Trailer!!

Here ya go!

Looks like the all-too-classic superhero movie trope - "The one where ________ LOSES HIS POWERS!"  Well, it was likely inevitable...but will it be done well?  What do you think?

Oz Comic Con Perth 2013: Day 2 Highlights! Cosplay! Artists! Panels!

We have recovered from a weekend of walking, waiting and jostling to bombard you with many more photos and musings from our second long day at Oz Comic Con Perth. Our expectations of a leisurely Sunday quickly disintegrated as even MORE keen and costumed fans piled into the fancy Exhibition Centre, quickly transforming it into a heaving circus of gaudy lycra and cardboard where even the most cautious attendee could be suddenly crushed between a Master Chief and a sidling Catbus.

Yes. There was a Catbus. And it was life-affirming. I have no idea how many people were sweating inside that thing but I hope they got along!

Find out more about - and see many more pictures of - the cosplay, our favourite artists, Klingons, Macgyver, Momoa and much more... after the jump!

Pre-Order Hot Toys Wolverine X-Men: The Last Stand 1/6 Scale Collectible Figure! SNIKT!

Now this is a nice surprise! Not only are we getting our first official gallery of Hot Toys' brand new 1/6th scale Wolverine from X-Men: The Last Stand figure, but he's up our good pals at Sideshow have him up for pre-order already as well! Check out song-and-dance man Hugh Jackman getting ready to carve up some thanksgiving turkeys! SNIKETTY-SNIKT!

I dig that backdrop too! IT tempts me to set part of my shelving on fire!

You can pre-order him right this goddamn second here: Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series Wolverine - X-Men: The Last Stand Sixth Scale Figure and expect him to fastball through your front windows in March. Join me after the jump for plenty more photos!

New "Marvel NOW" Faux Reboot Confuses Everyone!

Entertainment Weekly has news on Marvel's response to DC's New 52 with their own universe shaking relaunch dubbed Marvel NOW! which will begin in October. Except it's not actually a reboot. Although characters are changing costumes and alliances. And there'll be a whole host of new issue ones. And a lot of the teams have been split up and mixed together. And if the bulk of your Marvel knowledge comes from the films then prepare to be thoroughly confused.

Art by Marvel CEO Joe Quesada shows off the head-scratching new looks for the major players:

So seeing as how armour on the Hulk makes about as much sense as oven mitts on Wolverine, I'm going to assume that this harness is some kind of control mechanism? If so, I think it's sweet that they made it purple. "We're going to take over your body against your wishes, Bruce, but to make up for it we've made the mechanism purple. We notice you wear a lot of purple pants."

More befuddled cynicism, and another image, after the jump!

Review: Lego Wolverine Chopper Showdown! SNIKT!

When I was around 14 I had the startling realisation that Wolverine kicked all kinds of ass. I abandoned the comics of my childhood and wanted to read about a short, hairy, snarling Canadian who gnashed his teeth against fine cigars, had uncouth muttonchops, and popped murderous claws out of the back of his hands which could fillet a rhinoceros. And never in my wildest fever dreams would I suspect that in 2012 he would become an official Lego figure:

SNIKT! SNIKT! But there he is! He has two faces so you can switch him from "surly" to "shittin' porcupines". His claws aren't attached to his hand, but instead he holds them. All he's missing in some thick black hair on those pallid lil' arms of his. Still, he's probably the most threatening Lego guy you're ever going to own. Certainly more so that that Fabuland raccoon.

He's part of the new Lego Superheroes line and can be found in the set Wolverine Chopper Showdown 6866. To see what else is in there... join me after the jump!