In his sixth appearance as the claw-donning mutant (yeah, I’m counting his “First Class” cameo where he had the funniest line in the film), Hugh Jackman is “The Wolverine” as our film’s title boldly proclaims. Say what you will about director James Mangold’s clunky film that merges a mad scientist story, organized crime saga, ninja assassin scene, romance in a secluded Japanese setting and psychological thrills in a superhero package, but Jackman and choice performances save this film from completely clawing this Marvel property to death.

Hugh Jackman returns as “The Wolverine”. (photo courtesy of Fox Pictures)

For fans of Wolverine’s Silver Samurai/Yakuza storyline, “Wolvey’s” latest adventure disappoints. Remember Deadpool’s pathetic treatment in “Origins” — that incoherent back story that completely dismissed the far superior source material (I don’t believe that’s always the case, but on this particular occasion, it is)? They’ve done it again. If you’re a fan of the comics, you’ll be offended; if you just want a good film, you might be offended — or just plain bored.

“The Wolverine” juggles quite a few ideas from multiple genres. After the events of “X-Men: The Last Stand”, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) haunts Logan’s dreams rather literally. Forced to kill the woman he loves, Logan abandons society, finding solace in the bottom of several liquor bottles and vivid dreams of a life with Jean. But Yukio, a young mutant serving Yashida (Hal Yamanouchi), seeks out Logan for the sake of her dying master. Too bad Logan can’t exactly remember saving a young Yashida from an A-bomb drop in a Japanese POW camp near Nagasaki in 1945 (what with that pesky adamantium bullet to the brain that wiped his memories some 20ish years ago in “Origins”).

Cue the next genre idea: the Wolverine as a ronin — a samurai with no master — seeking a warrior’s death. Mr. Yashida believes he can “end [Logan’s] eternity,” as he says on his deathbed. Only catch, Logan’s powers pass to someone else, and he wouldn’t wish his curse on another.

Svetlana Khodchenkova (left) has big plans for Logan/Wolverine, portrayed by Hugh Jackman, in the new film. (photo courtesy of Fox Pictures)

So Yashida dies, moving us into the Yakuza element. As heir to Yashida’s empire, granddaughter Mariko (Tao Okamoto) becomes organized crime’s No. 1 target. While The Wolverine might prefer solitude, he never walks away from a fight. After all, only a ronin with no master can keep this damsel from harm. But who wishes her dead? Her fiancé, Minister of Justice Noburo Mori, jealous father Hiroyiko or some unseen threat?

Of course, romance follows as the line between protector and lover blurs. As the pair hides out, we even get to see hunky “Wolvey” sweat as he chops a fallen tree to clear a road. So moving, so dime store romance novel, so generic. Their only ally is Yukio — Mariko’s childhood friend — who has the unfortunate ability to see visions of others’ deaths — a handy ability but tragic, making her a far more interesting character alongside Logan than a generic damsel. If there ever was a weakness in superhero films, it’s romance (I know, I know, not always). These films know tortured heroes and grandiose CGI action sequences, but they spend so little time on such relationships.

But wait, there’s yet another motif. What would a “Wolverine” film be without some science fiction element, since this is a moderately futuristic (yet somehow happening now) setting where mutants like Logan exist? You know how Logan has infinite regenerative abilities making him a near indestructible force? Something’s different this time. He can’t quite heal thanks to Yashida’s ominous doctor (Svetlana Khodchenkova). This all leads to an explosive third act with an incredibly over-the-top showdown you won’t see coming. Really, who would? It’s an outlandish scene of near “jumping-the-shark” proportions.

Wolverine has become a rather cursed character. With a disturbed past, uncanny tolerance for pain and affinity for the seedier parts of life, he’s the perfect cure for the clean-cut, conservative masked crusader.

Alas, Fox Pictures has now failed twice to tap into this character’s true depth. Yes, “The Wolverine” comes closer to the edge, but that pesky PG-13 rating doesn’t allow a character with claws protruding from between his knuckles to really fly. At the very least, they could replicate the noir tone of “The Dark Knight”.

Darren Aronofsky (“Requiem for a Dream”, “The Wrestler” and “Black Swan”) originally accepted the role of director, but backed out because of the extensive filming abroad. In his place, James Mangold (“Knight and Day” and “Walk the Line”) replaced a potentially eerie psycho-thriller with just another “X-Men” that’s watchable but could’ve been so much more. Until next time, and as the “to be continued” at the end of every comic book makes clear, there most certainly will be a next time.