Movie critic Bruce Miller says "Deadpool & Wolverine" is the Marvel film for everyone who has grown weary of superheroes and their overly long stories. Teaming with Jackman was a brilliant move. The yin and yang of the new Marvel Universe can take on everyone and still manage a smirk.
That’s because the snarky Deadpool (a brilliant Ryan Reynolds) doesn’t hesitate to comment on the world, its creators and its detractors. He strikes a blow for all those lesser superheroes and isn’t afraid to knock the competition.
When one of those “guests” says something entirely unintelligible, Deadpool asks, “Who is your dialect coach? The Minions?”
He comments on the D.C. crowd, too, and encourages one of those cameos that should keep fans talking until the next “Superman” film arrives.
Ryan Reynolds in a scene from "Deadpool & Wolverine."
The story – like most superhero outings – is full of nonsense. Deadpool digs up Wolverine (a game Hugh Jackman) and, together, they take on Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) the twin sister of X-Men’s leader Charles Xavier. They’re all pulled into a timeline drama that could put an end to Deadpool’s tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Because it’s filled with alternate worlds, there are multiple Deadpools and Wolverines. There are also those underused superheroes who get a shot at redemption just by helping the unlikely heroes complete their mission.
Directed by Shawn Levy (who clearly gets Reynolds’ sense of humor), “Deadpool & Wolverine” has running commentary (not unlike a director’s cut) that doesn’t save anyone. “Death by day player,” Deadpool offers early on and it never lets up.
While Jackman plays Dean Martin to Reynolds’ Jerry Lewis, he also gets a chance to scar the hand that fed him. He gets slow-mo walks, too, and a chance to silence Deadpool, if ever so briefly.
When the film looks like it’s headed for one of those unending battles, Deadpool addresses the obvious and promises it won’t linger. He attaches credits clips, too, but doesn’t preview whatever the next Marvel film might be. He goes it alone, digs into the archives and gets a tearful minute when you least expect it.
Reynolds, who’s also credited as a writer, manages to reference “Sling Blade,” the Honda Odyssey, Old Yeller and James Mangold, who helmed two of the Wolverine films. “Mad Max” gets in here, as well, and in the process of visiting the “sacred” timeline, gets parts for his entire family.
Because it has so many surprises, “Deadpool & Wolverine” deserves a second look – even if you were hesitant to take a first. It has laughs for everyone and plenty of profanity to make sure the wrong crowd doesn’t embrace it.
“Deadpool & Wolverine" shattered the opening record for R-rated films previously held by the first “Deadpool” ($132 million) and notched a spot in the top 10 openings of all time. (Scripps News)
Scripps News
Movies in a minute with film critic Bruce Miller
Movies in a Minute: "Abigail"
Movies in a Minute: "Civil War"
Movies in a Minute: "Monkey Man"
Movies in a Minute: "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire"
Movies in a Minute: "Late Night With the Devil"
Movies in a Minute: "Snack Shack"
Movies in a Minute: "Cabrini"
Movies in a Minute "Dune: Part Two"
Movies in a Minute: "Drive-Away Dolls"
Movies in a Minute "Bob Marley: One Love"
Movies in a Minute: "Lisa Frankenstein”
Movies in a Minute: “The Greatest Night in Pop”
Movies in a Minute: "Poor Things"
Movies in a Minute: Best Actress nominee Sandra Huller
Movies in a Minute: "Mean Girls"
Movies in a Minute: "Anyone But You"
Movies in a Minute: "The Color Purple"
Movies in a Minute: "The Iron Claw"
Movies in a Minute: "Wonka"
Movies in a Minute: "May December"
Movies in a Minute: "Wish"
Movies in a Minute: "Next Goal Wins"
Movies in a Minute: "The Marvels"
Movies in a Minute: "The Holdovers"
Movies in a Minute: "Five Nights at Freddy's"
Movies in a Minute "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour"
Movies in a Minute: "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Movies in a Minute: "The Exorcist: Believer"
Movies in a Minute: "Fair Play"
Movies in a Minute: "Expend4bles"
Movies in a Minute: "A Haunting in Venice"
Movies in a Minute: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3"
Movies in a Minute: "The Equalizer 3"
Movies in a Minute: "Blue Beetle"
Movies in a Minute: "Gran Turismo"
Movies in a Minute: Mid-year wrap-up
Movies in a Minute: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem"
Fans in Mumbai celebrate new Rajinikanth movie
Movies in a Minute: "Haunted Mansion"
Movies in a Minute: "Barbie"
Movies in a Minute: “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”
Movies in a Minute: “Joy Ride”
Movies in a Minute: “Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny”
Movies in a Minute: “No Hard Feelings”
Movies in a Minute: "Elemental"
Movies in a Minute: “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”
Movies in a Minute: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
Movies in a Minute: "The Little Mermaid"
Movies in a Minute: “Fast X”
Movies in a Minute: "Book Club: The Next Chapter"
Movies in a Minute: “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3”
Movies in a Minute: "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."
Movies in a Minute: "The Covenant"
Movies in a Minute: "Renfield"
Movies in a Minute: "Air"
Movies in a Minute: "Dungeons and Dragons"
Movies in a Minute: "John Wick Chapter 4"
Movies in a Minute: “Champions”
Movies in a Minute: “Creed III”
Movies in a Minute: “80 for Brady”
Movies in a Minute: "Challengers"
Movies in a Minute: "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"