By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
The highly anticipated Marvel superhero movie,
"Deadpool & Wolverine," took me by surprise. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did.
This film caters to die-hard Marvel fans who relish bloody violence, crude humor, and are well-versed in pop culture.
Even then, the rapid-fire jokes and witty banter between Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds, "IF") and Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman, TV's "Faraway Downs") come at you so quickly that even the most devoted Marvel aficionado might need a repeat viewing to catch them all.
I attended a non-press screening of "Deadpool & Wolverine” and the audience was diverse, spanning various ages and ethnic backgrounds. As we exited the theater the unanimous sentiment was a big thumbs up for the film.
One standout aspect for me was the eclectic soundtrack, which featured songs from *NSYNC ("Bye, Bye, Bye"), The Platters "Only You (And You Alone"), Aretha Franklin's Royal Philharmonic version of ("You're All I Need to Get By"), and Fergie's "Glamorous," among others.
Directed by Shawn Levy ("The Boogeyman"), "Deadpool & Wolverine" kicks off with Wade Wilson (Reynolds) navigating life without his beloved Vanessa (Morena Baccarin, TV's "The Flash").
Wade is really not happy working as a used car salesman. His best friend Peter (Rob Delaney, TV's "Dinner with the Parents") knows he needs to suit up and do his superhero thing.
Call it luck or perhaps divine intervention, but Wade's world is about to suddenly change thanks to Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen, TV's "Succession"), an agent of the Time Variance Authority (TVA) who is overseeing a project to speed up the death of the Earth-10005 universe by using the "Time Ripper." It's a machine which can mercy kill timelines. He has an assignment for Wade that requires him to time travel to another universe and assemble with The Avengers. Why Wade?
Well, there is a catch. Wade still takes the bait and travels to different worlds searching for Wolverine only to discover the TVA has no use for him. They leave him in some deserted universe. Now it's up to Deadpool and Wolverine to fight back, but it won't be easy. In their path is Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin, "My Policeman"), the twin sister of Charles Xavier (X-Men). She is a mutant with telekinetic/telepathic powers and a score to settle.
Don't fret too much over the silly plot. "Deadpool & Wolverine" is meant to be enjoyed for its unabashed absurdity and juvenile humor.
And while Jackman and Reynolds are the star attractions, it sure is good to see Wesley Snipes as "Blade" in the mix too. I just wish Blind Al (Leslie Uggams, "American Fiction") had more screen time, but she makes the most of her small role.
Alongside epic fight scenes, "Deadpool and Wolverine" is peppered with cameos by Henry Cavill, Channing Tatum, and Chris Hemsworth, adding to its star-studded appeal. And let's not forget the post-credits scene, an unmissable cherry on top.
So, whether you're a die-hard Marvel fan or simply in search of some fun entertainment this weekend, "Deadpool & Wolverine" is a pretty good choice.
Look At This Trailer For
"DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE"
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Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
