Because it’s so hard to pick only five or even ten moments that really capture Hugh Jackman‘s performance as Wolverine, and because there are five films to choose clips from, David, Rob, Scott, and Chris all got together and decided to do a Top 15 list broken into three sections. In Part 1, we looked at Wolverine’s Top 5 Most Utterly Badass Moments and in Part 2 we fought through his Top 5 Action Moments.
But what about Wolverine as a character? What sets him apart from other superheroes, or even action heroes? He is a complex and many-layered personality that has grown and evolved on screen over the last 13 years, not to mention all the other comics and TV shows. So today, we take a look at those true Wolverine moments, the ones that show us who he is in that meaty layer under the skin and above the adamantium.
So, in chronological order…
5. The Claws Come Out, X-Men
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After a hard day of cage fighting, we all want to just sit back and enjoy a quiet beer in some Canadian dive. Then some ornery locals pick a fight and you have to unsheathe your claws. Then the barman pulls a shotgun on you. *sigh*
This scene from the original X-Men was our first encounter with the MCU’s most ferocious berserker and that oh-so-satisfying snikt! We’ve come a long way from there since then and still have a way to go. But this scene demonstrated that the Wolverine we were going to see on screen wasn’t going to pull any punches or claws. As far as introducing us to the character, here we start to get a glimpse at the tortured soul beneath the surface, but also Logan’s very, very short temper.
– Rob
4. Wolverine Stabs Rogue, X-Men
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Now we have all had horrible nightmares at one point in our lives, (I hate you most of all Monstroso) but Logan’s nightmares are truly one of a kind. His flashbacks to becoming Weapon X are terrifying in and of itself, but the stabbing of Rogue makes it so much worse. Not because he stabbed her but rather because the whole Rogue’s power suck touch gives me more nightmares. Really veiny too, I am glad they toned that down in later films.
This scene is one of the most memorable when thinking of Wolverine’s character, because it’s our first glimpse behind the curtain, where we finally see why he’s so troubled. It also helps show how protective he is of Rogue. His first instinct is to help her, and he willingly pays the high cost for it.
– Scott
3. “Hey, hey, it’s me.” “Prove it.” – X-Men
Wolverine’s renowned for not playing well with others, but apparently his abrasiveness is so fundamental to his character that it’s become sort of a key identifier. How else do you explain the above clip?
What really sells it is Cyclops’ matter-of-fact response, the way he just says, “Okay“, as if “This is what we have come to expect of Logan. No one else could ever capture this level of antipathy.” Clearly, this is an essential part of his character.
– Rob
2. “She ‘s gone…” – X2
On the other hand, there’s a lot more to Logan than just snark. When love interest Jean Grey is tragically killed while shielding the X-Jet from a tsunami, Logan can do nothing but look on in horror. “She’s gone…“
As such, when love rival Scott freaks out and begins whaling on him, you can imagine the temptation for Logan to just lay him out. Instead, he holds Scott and lets him cry. While they’re never exactly gonna have a bromance, this is Logan at his most empathetic. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability for both of them, and perhaps the only time in the whole trilogy when they are able to put their rivalry aside.
– Rob
1.Logan Kills Phoenix, X-Men: The Last Stand
For all X3 did poorly, Angel, Multiple Man, the Cure… look this would be awhile but we are on a schedule.
We finally go to see Jean Grey become the Phoenix and she was as terrifying as we all wanted her to be. She had no remorse in killing Cyclops or Professor X. When it came down to it, Logan was forced to kill what he cared about and loved the most. It was heart wrenching and amazing watching Logan constantly regenerate from being attacked by Phoenix.
– Scott
But as we all know, not all wounds can heal as quickly, and so, with the death of Jean hanging heavy on his conscience, Logan leaves the Xavier institute once more, heading for Japan in The Wolverine…
What’s your favourite Wolverine moment?