07/27/2024
Dream Team or Mismatched Miasma? -- a Review of "Deadpool and Wolverine"
Twenty-four years ago, the X-Men first appeared on the big screen, introducing much of the world to the talent known as Hugh Jackman. Fifteen years ago, Wolverine had his own movie, for the first time. This movie introduced the movie going public to the "Merc with a mouth"...Deadpool. For the first time since 2009, these two are sharing substantial screen time together. Fans have been anxiously awaiting their full reunion, making "Deadpool and Wolverine" one of the most anticipated movie of the past ten years. This is especially true when you consider that this movie brings both of these fan favorites into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In true Deadpool fashion, the movie starts much like a roller coaster. (Specifically, cresting the first big hill). It will hardly surprise anyone that this film is loaded with action. It is a comic book movie, after all. The action is magnificently choreographed and filmed. These are some of the most exciting fight scenes to be a part of the MCU, and that's saying a lot.
However, fight scenes, while critical to this kind of film, do not make a movie on their own. A good story is vital, and it would hardly be a Deadpool movie, let alone an MCU film, without some laughs, and some serious moments. This film has all of those bases covered. It also features an extensive soundtrack, that uses its songs extremely well. Trust me, you'll never think of "Bye Bye Bye", by NSYNC, the same way.
The writing is sharp and beautifully executed. The cast features a lot of familiar faces, and a lot of surprising appearances. There has been a lot of speculation as to who all will be making cameo appearances in this movie. Well, it's not as many as you might think. This is because many of the surprise appearances are too much to be called merely a cameo. Especially fun was the presence of (*names redacted*) as (*characters redacted*). (As if I'd give out a spoiler like that. Shame on you!).
One of the best elements of the writing of this film was the fact that even though the film involves the TVA, from the series "Loki", there is sufficient exposition to make seeing "Loki", but not so much as to ruin the series for those who have not seen it.
Another sign of writing excellence is the fact that they constantly surprise you, even (or especially) with the things you think you know are going to happen. In fact, shouts of shock, approval, and satisfaction were audible in the theater (including from me).
The cast turns is some startlingly good performances. Hugh Jackman gives one of his better performances as Wolverine. Ryan Reynolds also gives a top-tier performance as Deadpool. Both of them delve into serious emotions, as well as the action and comedy aspects. Emma Corrin, playing Cassandra Nova, gives a remarkable performance, and maintains a truly captivating presence on the screen.
To be honest, I had a lot of expectations of this film, and I had them thoroughly exceeded. This film has magnificently blended the X-universe into the MCU. Many fans have been finding some of the more recent additions to the MCU to be a little lacking. While I do not share that sentiment (I liked "the Marvels", I don't care what anyone says) I will say that this film is going to be very good to the MCU, and could very well be an indicator of some of the things that we can look forward to in the MCU (if speculations and rumors have any validity).
This film does have and after-credit scene, but even better is a montage of behind-the-scenes clips of past movies, paying tribute to all of the Marvel movies released under the "Fox" Banner. There's even a very special inclusion that I won't spoil here.
Basically, this is a film that has no weaknesses, and is much more than the sum of its parts.
My grade: A
