Reviews: X-Men Origins and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.

On Friday two movies came out; X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Being the avid movie goer that I am, I viewed both films. Lets start with talking about Wolverine...

If you are into gratuitous action flicks, this movie is for you. It has everything an action fan would want-gratuitous explosions, big guns, superhuman powers, sword play, and a cute chick. The movie moves fast, and you never wonder when the action might show up. You will walk away from this movie feeling joyous that you spent ten bucks on the murder, mayhem, and treachery that is so prevalent in this film.

If you are a fanboy (or girl) of comics...this film will let you down in a few ways...ALERT there are some almost spoilers in this next section. Fanboys actually want something of Wolverine's Origins. I am sorry, but spending two minutes showing Wolvie as a prepubescent doesn't cut it...in fact, if you are only going to show two minutes of that footage, you might as well have not shown it at all. The movie focuses more on events that lead to Logan getting his adamantium claws then anything else...unfortunately...(if we use only movie lore) we already know how he got his adamantium claws...we just didn't know why he decided to do it. Basically the first half of the movie depicts how Wolverine comes to his decision to become adamantium laced.
O.K. the reason why is important...but along the way we have a few mishaps. First, we learn that Wolvies real name is actually James. Unfortunately, the film never discusses or tells us why people call him Logan. Somewhere in the middle of the film they are calling him Logan, but no one knows why. It can be rather mysterious to the unenlightened.
Second...As a fanboy I have accepted that movie makers will stray from original comic book lore. I understand this and accept it. However, they kind of twisted some of the Wolverine lore to suit the purposes of the movie. I am ok with that, but along the way, they happened to not only twist the lore of Logan's origins, but that of Scott Summers, as well as that of a few more of our favorite mutants.
Third and most importantly, from a storytelling point of view, the movie lacks character development. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the reason that this movie was made is so that we could develop Wolvie's character (which is harder to do in a movie about a whole team of people)? The movie never gives us an opportunity to care for Kayla Silverfox, and because of that fact the audience doesn't care about Logan. At the beginning we are never introduced to Wolverine's parents in a way that helps us to feel a connection to the star of the show. Other than Kayla and Commander Striker, the film contains many Marvel characters whose only purpose in the film is to allow the gratuitous action to happen. In the end we are left with a surface story that is fun in a shoot em' up kind of way, but lacks any true depth.
Therefore, if I was to use the 4 star rating for this film, I give this movie 2 and a half stars. Anyone that really knows me understands that I was hoping for this film to be a home-run, but unfortunately it's not.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past:
Yes, fans of Mr. Matthew...he once again manages to take his shirt off in a film.

I enjoyed this film. Everyone knows that many of the greatest stories ever weren't original ideas when they were born. Therefore, having a story that is blatantly based off of A Christmas Carol works very well.
The story develops Matthew McConaughey's character of Connor Mead from the first moment. He is a cad. He is the epitome of sleaze, and if anyone questions that some of these women wouldn't ever fall for a boy as bad as he is, they are sorely mistaken. Women do everyday...I have seen it.
Laced with clever lines, we watch how Connor is transformed by the visitation of three spirits on the eve of his brother's wedding. How the ghosts interact with Connor is an original concept, if you think about how many real relationships Connor actually has had. They aren't actually his girlfriends, because Connor is a player.
Unlike the movies depicting Dickens original story, Connor Mead actually interacts with the bridal party in between the appearances of the apparitions. This allows the audience to see how Connor has changed after each visitation.
A couple of the highlights include Emma Stone's portrayal of Allison the Ghost of Girlfriends Past, Michael Douglas as sleazy Uncle Wayne, and the scene where Connor saves his brother Paul's wedding. Emma Stone was delightful and comedic, and stole some of the spotlight from Mr. McConaughey.
As a romance I enjoyed this movie because Connor's true redemption comes from saving his brother's wedding...not getting the girl. (I won't tell you if he gets the girl or not.) For fear of spoiling too much, I will leave it at that. The redemption scene allows this movie to slightly move past your typical romantic comedy. Not much further past, but a little bit.
I give this movie 3 stars. (Sometimes I rate like a true critic, other times I don't).
The added depth of character development takes this movie a half star beyond Wolverine for the weekend...

In all my life, not I, nor anyone who knows me, would ever believe that I would choose a chick flick over a comic book movie. This week it happened. My world is crumbling. Someone save me.