DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Reviewed by GREG KING
Director: Shawn Levy
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfadyen, Jon Favreau, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Morena Baccarin, Jennifer Garner, Wesley Snipes, Chris Evans, Channing Tautm, Aaron Stanford, Karan Soni, Brianna Hilderbrand, Shioli Kutsuna, Stefan Kapicic, Tyler Mane, Dafne Keen, Blake Lively, Nathan Fillion, Matthew McConaughey, Henry Cavill, Henry Holland.
Wasn’t Wolverine killed at the end of 2017’s Logan? It was one of the greatest and more memorable cinematic death scenes. So how can they bring him back with any sort of credibility? Well, it seems that in the comic book multiverse anything is possible.
When the film opens Wade Wilson aka Deadpool (played by Ryan Reynolds with his usual comic touch) desperately wants to become an Avenger. Using a time slip device he heads to the time world of the Avengers, but his entreaties to join the Avengers are rebuffed by Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) who is now the head of Stark Industries.
Dejected, he returns to his Earth timeline and gives up his dreams of becoming a superhero. He sells used cars. But then he is approached by the urbane Mr Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen, from Operation Mincemeat, etc), the head of an organisation known as the Time Variance Unit, who informs him that he has broken the “sacred timeline” and that his own universe is in danger of being destroyed due to the death of its “anchor being” Wolverine. He offers him a place in the MCU.
When he learns that the Time Variance Unit plans to use a device known as the “time ripper” to destroy his own universe he sets out to track down the one hero that can help prevent disaster – another heroic Wolverine. Deadpool initially uses a device known as a Tempad to travel to Logan’s grave hoping to resurrect him and thus save his world. But after discovering Logan’s skeleton he uses the device to journey through several alternate worlds to find the one wolverine who can help him save the world. He eventually ends up with the worst wolverine who was responsible for the destruction of his own universe.
Their journey takes them to a wasteland known as “the void” which is ruled by Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin, from The Crown, etc), the exiled twin sister of Charles Xavier. Deadpool and Wolverine have to learn to bury their own personal differences and work together to save their world and redeem their reputations.
The film also features appearances from many other Marvel characters, including Electra (Jennifer Garner), Blade (Wesley Snipes), the Fantastic Four member Johnny Storm (Chris Evans), Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) and Gambit (Channing Tatum), multiple variants of Deadpool played by the likes of Blake Lively, Nathan Fillion, Matthew McConnaughy, and Reynolds himself does double duty by also appearing as Nicepool. There are also cameos from Henry Cavill and Chris Hemsworth, who briefly appears as Thor in archival footage.
Reynolds cowrote the script along with regular Deadpool scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick and Zeb Wells, who is better known for his work on the animated tv series Robot Chicken. The film follows the template of the buddy action formula popular in the 80s, while the writers maintain an irreverent, subversive and self-aware tone throughout. The film pokes fun at Disney, Fox, Marvel, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and even the concept of the multiverse itself. Reynolds himself often breaks the fourth wall to share insights with the audience and his acerbic, sarcastic asides and self-deprecating humour work well.
Deadpool & Wolverine opens with an energetic and very violent sequence in which Deadpool dispatches a number of TVU soldiers to the accompaniment of NYSNC’s hit Bye Bye Bye. The film is directed by Shawn Levy (the Night At The Museum trilogy, etc) who maintains a fast pace throughout. And while the plot may not make a lot of sense the sheer momentum and pace drag audiences along for the ride. This is a visceral experience and the fight choreography, enhanced through superb CGI effects, is great.
The pairing of the genial, wise cracking Reynolds and the gruff Jackman delivers plenty for the fans, and this is easily the best film in the MCU for several years. Both stars have a great time here and develop a wonderful rapport and chemistry. It looks like they had fun making this movie. They also lend a strong homoerotic undertone to their pairing, and their barbs drive the film’s humour. Jackman gives his new incarnation of Wolverine some emotional heft as his character is consumed by guilt and bitterness
The production design that creates the apocryphal wasteland of the void seems to have been inspired by the look of George Miller’s landscapes for his recent Mad Max sagas. Cinematographer George Richmond (Free Guy, etc) has done a great job with the visual look of the film.
The film’s action is accompanied by a great soundtrack that includes NSYNC, Huey Lewis And The News, Green Day and even Madonna.
By embracing the potential of the multiverse the producers open up the Marvel Cinematic Universe to new directions. Here’s hoping that future superhero movies are also this much fun!
★★★☆
