Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Running time: 127 minutes
MPA – R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, gore and sexual references
DIRECTOR: Shawn Levy
WRITERS: Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy, and Zeb Wells (based on Marvel Comics characters)
PRODUCERS: Kevin Feige, Shawn Levy, Ryan Reynolds, and Lauren Shuler Donner
CINEMATOGRAPHER: George Richmond (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: Shawn Reid and Dean Zimmerman
COMPOSER: Rob Simonsen
SUPERHERO/COMEDY/ACTION
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfayden, Jon Favreau, Rob Delaney, Morena Baccarin, Karan Soni, Brianna Hildebrand, Shioli Kutsuna, Aaron Stanford, and Leslie Uggams with Chris Evans, Jennifer Garner, Dafne Keen, Ray Parks, Channing Tatum, Blake Lively, Matthew McConaughey, and Wesley Snipes
Deadpool & Wolverine is a 2024 American superhero film and action-comedy directed by Shawn Levy and produced by Marvel Studios. It is the 34th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is also the third entry in the Deadpool movie franchise.
The film is based on two Marvel Comics characters. The first is Deadpool, a character created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza, and that first appeared in New Mutants #98 (cover dated: December 1990). The second is Wolverine, a character created by writer Len Wein and artists John Romita and Herb Trimpe and that first fully appeared in the comic book, The Incredible Hulk #181 (cover dated: November 1974). In Deadpool & Wolverine the movie, a space-time organization has set Deadpool on a mission to save his own universe, so he brings in Wolverine to help him.
Deadpool & Wolverine basically begins on March 14, 2018. That is the day that Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), the smart-mouthed mutant mercenary, approaches the Avengers organization about becoming a member of the Avengers. It doesn't work, and Wade falls into a deep depression that takes a toll on his relationship with his beloved Vanessa Carlysle (Morena Baccarin). It's also time to celebrate Wade's birthday, and his friends gather at the apartment he shares with Blind Al (Leslie Uggams).
In the middle of the revelry, agents of the “Time Variance Authority” (TVA) arrive to take Wade into custody. At TVA headquarters, project head, Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfayden), informs Deadpool that his own Earth/universe, Earth-10005, is scheduled for destruction, but that he can live in another universe. Determined to save his world, Deadpool rejects the offer and goes rogue. He travels throughout the multiverse searching for a version of Wolverine that can help him save his Earth. Eventually, Deadpool finds a variant of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) with a tragic past.
Deadpool and Wolverine spend more time cursing, fighting, and stabbing each other than they do world-saving. However, they end up in a place called the “Void,” where they face its leader, the murderous and ultra-powerful mutant, Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin). Now, Deadpool and Wolverine are forced together to save a universe, but luckily, they will find themselves joined by an unexpected, but familiar quartet of heroes.
In preparation for Deadpool & Wolverine, I decided to watch the earlier films: Deadpool (2016), Logan (2017), and Deadpool 2 (2018), that lead up to the new film, to one extent or another. However, viewers may find such films as Blade (1998), X-Men (2000), Elektra (2005), and Fantastic Four (2005) to be of most use, although Deadpool & Wolverine also references other films and television series based on Marvel Comics characters.
Deadpool & Wolverine is very much an R-rated comedy like the earlier Deadpool films, but there is more harshly explicit language and profanity galore. There seems to be more gross sexual language in Deadpool & Wolverine than there has been in any other film ever distributed by the Walt Disney Company. At times, it is a bit too much, but only a bit.
As he does in the other Deadpool films, Ryan Reynolds makes the comedy in Deadpool & Wolverine work, via his schtick. Still, one must say that Reynolds' repertoire of clowning, buffoonery, and jestering have become a refined work of comic performance art. I can honestly say that I never feel as if I have had too much of Reynolds as Deadpool.
On the other hand, in Deadpool & Wolverine, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine is the dramatic balance to Ryan as Deadpool. Without spoiling anything, Jackman has some deep, emotional moments that require tears in his eyes. Jackman also gets to be powerful, dark, edgy, and grieving as Wolverine without treading on the mournful Logan/Wolverine he gave us in the film, Logan.
There are some excellent supporting performances in Deadpool & Wolverine. Emma Corrin is maniacally, gleefully wicked and evil as Cassandra Nova, and Matthew Macfayden is perfectly sleazy as the sinfully ambitious TVA functionary, Mr. Paradox. The actors that comprise the quartet which assists Deadpool and Wolverine in their crucial assault on Nova's base are a delight, and one of them proves that his is the defining version of the superhero for whom he is most famous. Many of us want to see him again, Disney.
Deadpool & Wolverine is Marvel Studios' funniest “Multiverse Saga” entry. It is not without its faults, and it isn't the best Marvel multiverse film because that belongs to Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). However, Marvel does with Deadpool & Wolverine what it should have done with some of its post-pandemic films: have more substantial guest appearances from classic MCU characters and stars. Most of the heroic things that Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman do in Deadpool & Wolverine are done better with friends.
A
★★★★ out of 4 stars
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.
-------------------------
