Review of 'Deadpool & Wolverine'
The film begins with Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) digging up the grave of Wolverine (SPOILER – having died at the end of Logan) then using the decaying skeleton to fend off a group of mysterious assassins. Deadpool has been trying to find some way to use his power as a force of good but, rejected by the Avengers, has become a used car salesman after breaking up with his girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). At his birthday party the Time Variance Authority (TVA) captures Wade and brings him to Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) who wants him to join their organization but who is also planning the hastened destruction of Wade's timeline using a “Time Ripper” device. Wade steals Paradox's timepad to go in search of a Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) who can help eventually settling on the “worse Wolverine”, mired in self-loathing and alcohol. Returning to TVA the two are immediately sent to the Void where Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), the twin sister of X-Men leader Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart, in various films), who is able to manipulate minds and has the ability to free people from the void. Wolverine and Wade escape then team up with Elektra (Jennifer Garner), Blade (Wesley Snipes), Gambit (Channing Tatum), and Laura/X-23 (Dafne Keen) to attempt another attack on Nova's stronghold to force her to free them so they can defeat Paradox and save the timeline…
Yet another enormously entertaining, hyper-violent, Deadpool film with excessive foul language, inside jokes, fourth wall breaking, and bad taste - exactly what Deadpool audiences crave. This is the first Marvel film to feature any character from the X-Men series following the purchase of 20th Century Fox in 2019 which is, of course mentioned in the film. This is a much grittier, if that is possible, Wolverine who manages to match the sheer brutality and foul mouth nature of Wade with no problems whatsoever, indeed, the two are very similar in being indestructible resulting in some truly horrific and bloody, though imaginative, battle sequences between the two of them. Of course, it is the interaction between the two that is the core of this film as they help each other in not only battling to save the timeline but also in their respective personal issues - Wade with his feeling of rejection and Logan with his despair at not doing enough to save his world. Along the way we are treated to various cameos including Wesley Snipes returning as Blade, Jon Favrau as Happy Hogan from the Avengers franchise (no appearance by Iron Man/Tony Stark though), and Chris Evans returning as Johnny Storm (from the Fantastic Four). There is even a hilariously thinly disguised ode to the new Max Max film: Furiosa.
The dialogue is incredibly sharp and full of self-references which audiences have grown to love. Wade continues to be “Mr Mouth” (which is frequently commented on) with smart-ass comments galore which never let up regardless of how serious a situation they are in. It is this glib glee that makes him so appealing and fun to watch on the screen. There is a notable set of wonderful interactions Wade has with a truly ugly dog with a long, trailing tongue that he has an immediate attraction to even in the middle of a massive battle sequence. There are loads of massive battle sequences here with brutal, visceral, violence that splashes blood and body parts everywhere. Of course, this is part of the complete “over the top” nature of the franchise that fans love - It is in no way to be taken seriously, yet surprisingly, as with previous films, there are some serious aspects to the film as the characters grow to overcome their difficulties while saving the universe. There are some actual touching moments here.
Copious violence: Check. Lots of swearing: Check. Smart-ass dialogue: Check. Fun and amazingly watchable: Double-check. I can't bring myself to give it a 5 though as it has to appear as though I have good taste.
Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”
Review Date: 2024-08-18
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Studio: Marvel Studios
Year: 2024
Length: 128 minutes
Genre: Action/Adventure
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6263850/
Other reviewed films by Shawn Levy:
- Free Guy (2021)
- The Adam Project (2022)