Irreverent, ribald, aggressive and action packed, Deadpool & Wolverine is a deep dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the multiverse.
The rivalry and dynamic between Deadpool and Wolverine have long held fascination for fans of the X-Men universe.
Logan (2017) had marked the end of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine’s journey.
But the concept here is that Deadpool looks for a live Wolverine in an alternative reality.
The universe appears to have gone to hell in a handbasket and the pair teams up to save it from oblivion.
The story takes place six years after the events in Deadpool 2 (2018).
Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is long since retired as the mercenary Deadpool and lives a nondescript life (he starts the film as a used car salesman).
That is until he is prevailed upon by a bureaucratic organisation known as the Time Variance Authority (TVA) to don the red and black again.
He must find a way to convince a most reluctant Wolverine to join him.
Together, they confront Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), a mutant with telekinetic and telepathic powers, the twin sister of Charles Xavier.
The TVA agent pulling the strings is Mr Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen), who would like to speed up the death of the Earth 1005 universe by using a Time Ripper.
That is a machine that can mercy kill timelines.
Confusing – you betcha. Hilarious – absolutely.
There is no doubt that a solid understanding of characters that constitute the MCU would enhance appreciation of what is on offer.
I would suggest that this is one for the purists.
Inside jokes aplenty and references to the real world make Deadpool & Wolverine so much more enjoyable.
It sets out to shock and provoke, and there are many sequences when is does.
Amidst the mumbo jumbo built into the script to try to explain what is going down (it is complex), there is also much cleverness and hilarity.
Ryan Reynolds has found his true calling. He is delightfully manic as motormouth Deadpool.
In contrast, Hugh Jackman says little as Wolverine, but brings grunt and anger to the role. He is darn good and doesn’t miss a beat.
Matthew Macfadyen is a proper English cad and stands out because of it, as does Emma Corrin as the “too cool for school” Cassandra.
It is all but impossible to ignore the significant role that one of the world’s ugliest dogs has to play in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Dogpool, as he is known, is a cross between a pug and a Chinese Crested.
Suffice to say, he has a tongue on him that is more akin to an iguana’s, which he uses to deliver Deadpool a face bath more than once.
The music choices – primarily pop numbers – are next level, with a series of inspired hits that accompany the protagonists’ journey.
Rated MA, Deadpool & Wolverine may be oh so silly, but it is also heaps of fun. Afficionados should love it. It scores an 8 out of 10.
Comments