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After three installments of trying to pretend that the X-men films are ensemble pieces, the X men powers that be have finally, officially put their money maker front and center and made the newest film all about Hugh Jackman's volatile, tortured Wolverine.

In "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" first time X director Gavin Hood (Tsotsi) and writers David Benioff (Troy, The Kite Runner) and Skip Woods (Swordfish) have crafted a prequel that's immensely satisfying for any of the films' audience who have been tormented by Logan/Wolverine's unexplained back stories. We learn why he has no memory of his past life. And we learn the source of the animosity between him and William Stryker, the mutant-hating military scientist villain from "X2: X-Men Untied."

This new film also introduces added elements to the film series mythology. The most successful is Logan's relationship with his brother Victor, played with a rage of quiet and not so quiet evil by the wonderful Liev Schriber. It's established in an impressive time line montage behind the opening credits that Logan and Victor share a similar mutation: infinitely regenerating bodies and sharp sharp claws. We also see them fight side by side in four American wars together, from the Civil War to Vietnam (yes, they're that old) but most importantly we see that Logan slowly realizing that his big brother relishes the kill a little too much.

Victor's bloodlust leads them to an unsuccessful execution by firing squad after which they are recruited by Stryker (Danny Huston) to be part of a secret ops squad full of mutants employed to do things that aren't very nice. Our beloved antihero's decision to walk away from a life that requires him to be an animal enrages his brother and severs their already tenuous bond. From then on their relationship devolves into the snarling fights that dominate the movie and the jealously and revenge that subtext them, all of which are manipulated by Stryker

In this film loyal X-men audiences get to see a first, the sight of Logan happy in love. While the Wolverine, Jean Grey, Cyclops love triangle was a major part of the first three movies this film gives us a full tragic love story between only two people actually get to enjoy each other while. This also manages to drive forward the other main plots of brother against brother and Wolverine vs. Stryker and Stryker vs. all mutants.

For the fans of the comic, the film brings in another celebrated character. "Friday Night Lights" Taylor Kitsch plays Gambit, the N'awlins card sharp with an impressive amount of mutant fire power. Unfortunately the main contribution of the celluloid Gambit is in CGI stunts. His performance is bland and doesn't measure up to the men around him.

As with the case of the other X-Men movies this one will no doubt be an annoyance to anyone who is a devotee of the comics themselves. I'm sure inconsistencies and mischaracterizations abound. But for those of us whose X-Men mythology and character development lives on screen, this brought everything happily full circle and did it with enough stunning action sequences and shirtless Hugh Jackman to keep us very happy.

Learn more about this author, Holly Huffstutler.
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