It’s been six years since Wade Wilson, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) retired from his superpower role. However, his quiet life is about to get crazy as he’s informed by Mr. Paradox (Matthew MacFadyen), that the world could be wiped out. With the enlisted help of Logan, the Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), they’re off to save the multiverse world. The evil Cassandra (Emma Corrin) of the TV series “The Crown” makes her MCU debut; she’s related to an icon from Fox’s Marvel superhero movies. In the comic books and here, she’s the twin sister of Charles Xavier, leader of the X-Men. Like her brother, Cassandra’s an Omega-level mutant who can rip your skin off or use her fingers to go inside your head with just a simple gesture. Yes, the CGI in her scenes was fascinating. The plot in a nutshell centers on Deadpool’s and the Wolverine and efforts to stop Cassandra from destroying the multiverse, with a gazillion random side scenes in the mix. But what truly sets this movie apart are the unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.
If your theater has seatbelts, (ha) I’d say fasten them, as both die-hard fans and audiences are in for an entertaining hyper-speed, wild, dizzy ride. While “Deadpool & Wolverine” is geared toward its fan base, the overstuffed plot actually works, in this case, to present outlandish scenarios with non-stop R-rated banter.
One could surmise that the two fan-favorite Marvel characters, Deadpool and Wolverine, would be enough to satisfy its fans; I’m pleased to say that Ryan Reynolds decided to share his success with his colleagues. Yep, he’s a team player, and it has served him well here. The camaraderie among the cast is not just palpable; it’s infectious, and this unity makes the movie fantastic. For myself, I was thrilled to see (spoiler alert) Channing Tatum as the superhero Gambit. Fans know he’s wanted to portray that Marvel character for years, even having his own movie deal a few years back. He told me in 2012 during an interview in Chicago that he wanted to play the Louisiana Bayou card-tossing character. Well, his wish came true as Ryan Reynolds is sharing his success as Tatum’s performance, along with the outstanding cast, shines brilliantly.
Yes, there are many other star cameos, of which I will not divulge, although it’s no surprise that Blake Lively is in the movie; she’s the stunning Ladypool, and her baby, Babypool, is played by the couple’s youngest child, their son, Olin. Their daughter Inez plays Kidpool and has a line in the film. The oldest daughter, 9-year-old James, has a small part as a screaming mutant. The couple’s 4-year-old daughter Betty is listed in the credits as the Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine wrangler. These surprise appearances will surely add an extra layer of excitement for the audience, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a special dog appearance as, at times, the little pooch steals the show. A mainly hairless pugese with a long tongue drooping out of her mouth. The dog has been widely described as Britain’s ugliest in an ‘ugly dog’ contest and was crowned in an official poll last year. She’s four-year-old Peggy, whose owner, Holly Middleton, adopted her from Leven, East Yorkshire, when she was six months old. When I saw the dog, I thought her long tongue was a prop. Nope, it’s been verified she’s the real deal. She has a hairless, long tongue and an excitable personality.
Director Shawn Levy has repeatedly said in interviews that audiences can expect all the humor and audacity of a ‘Deadpool’ movie plus all the action of a ‘Wolverine’ and ‘Deadpool’ movie. As a film critic, I’d agree with that, although it is clearly evident in the script that F-bombs are non-stop throughout the movie. It’s a strongly rated R movie by my standards and not for children. Ryan Reynolds also has script writing credit, which is brilliant, as are the catchy songs playing throughout, as in “Bye, Bye Bye,” recorded by NSYNC, “Glamorous” by Fergie, Ludacris, “If I Could Turn Back Time” by Cher, and “Like a Prayer” Madonna.
My time watching the film in a sold-out theater was great! It’s been a long time since I viewed a movie with such a large crowd; I was so happy to see so many people back in the theater. The crowd applauded, laughed, gave high-fives, and were thoroughly entertained.
Hollywood 360 Radio Network Podcast: H360_Deadpool_Wolverine
Sarah Knight Adamson July 29, 2024