Deadpool and Wolverine is a riotous journey of laughs and excitement
Film review: Deadpool and Wolverine (15) - seen at The Light, Wisbech
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen
Director: Shawn Levy Run time: Two hours, eight minutes
I didn’t know what to expect going in to watch this film. Recent Marvel efforts had been so poor that bringing back Deadpool and Wolverine seemed quite a desperate move.
However, whether that’s the case or not, it paid off, because the 34th film in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) is up there with the best of them.
Hugh Jackman’s angry, serious Wolverine is the perfect foil for Ryan Reynolds’ pansexual, playful Deadpool and the whole movie is a riotous journey of laughs and excitement, all set to a wonderful soundtrack.
I’ve found myself completely baffled by some of the more recent MCU efforts as I try to keep up with too many intertwining storylines, and in this movie, there are even ‘breaking the fourth wall’ to-camera references from Deadpool to the recent poor showings. But here, Marvel keeps it simple, and the film is all the better for it.
Deadpool is offered the MCU place he covets by Mr Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) of the TVA (Time Variance Authority)… but on the condition he helps speed up the extinction of his own universe, including his real self Wade Wilson’s close friendship group.
But in a rare show of humility, our cocky crusader decides instead to travel to different universes looking for the best Wolverine to help him stop his planet’s demise.
The chemistry between Reynolds and Jackman is superb, Macfadyen is perfectly pompous as Mr Paradox and when our heroes are expelled to The Void, they must somehow outwit Cassandra Nova, the powerful twin sister of X-Men leader Charles Xavier, who is played with sadistic glee by Emma Corrin.
Reynolds also doubles up hilariously as ‘Nicepool’ and we then meet ‘Dogpool’ played by Peggy, a five-year-old Pugese who found fame last year when she was crowned the ugliest pooch in a national contest.
There are countless guest appearances too, with Jon Favreau reprising his role as Happy Hogan, Wesley Snipes appearing as Blade, Channing Tatum as Gambit, Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, Henry Cavill as The Cavillrine, Rob McElhenney as a TVA soldier, Blake Lively as Lady Deadpool and Matthew McConaughey as Cowboypool.
Even the soundtrack is spot on with hilarious fight scenes backed by Madonna’s Like A Prayer and Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta’s You're the One That I Want. Other great tunes include Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC, The Power of Love by Huey Lewis & The News, I'm With You by Avril Lavigne and Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day.
By Jeremy Ransome
Rating: 9/10
