‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ are the heart and soul of this action film
By Wendell Gaa
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is currently my favorite movie of the year so far, and with good reason.
The past few years have been a rather difficult period for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and for Disney as a whole too, with films notably underperforming both at the box office and with audience favor due to a combination of factors, including confusing storylines and characters which are simply not relatable or likeable. With very few exceptions, a number of these films and their Disney+ streaming shows have been uninspiring and lacking the same breath of energy and excitement which was so consistent in the MCU movies throughout the 2010s. But this latest MCU outing does seem to signify a return to basics, projecting a fun-filled experience replete with a splendid mixture of action, humor and an engaging plot which keeps you as a viewer heavily invested.
Returning as the protagonist with a foul-mouth and offbeat wisecracking personality yet possessing a heart of gold and passion for his fellow family, friend and neighbor, is Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson AKA Deadpool. He is the superhero whose body has suffered severe burns and scars all over yet can undergo accelerated healing as a result of an experimental regenerative mutation aimed at treating terminal cancer. To protect his identity, as well as to cover his hideous scars, he dons his iconic red and black mask and costume, while using his combat skills and weapons to battle bad guys.
In the first two films of the “Deadpool” film series, we get to meet Wilson and learn more about his character’s history as we witness the events and circumstances which ultimately lead to him becoming the laughable yet lovable Deadpool, all the way through to his first crime-fighting adventures.
In this latest film, Deadpool is confronted with a crisis involving the multiverse, and he learns that a shady agent of the Time Variance Authority named Mr. Paradox is out on a mission to destroy his universe. Faced with such a terrifying quandary, Deadpool realizes that the only being that can help him stop Mr. Paradox is none other than the legendary mutant superhero Wolverine himself. But finding Wolverine is one thing, convincing him to join in on the good fight is another. And even if he is able to convince Wolverine to fight the supervillains by his side, can they make their partnership work, especially with their starkly conflicting personalities?
Returning to the role which practically launched him to international celebrity stardom is Aussie actor Hugh Jackman. From the very moment he appears on screen, Jackman steals every minute of the film. The role of Wolverine flawlessly fits him like a glove, and by simply watching him, there is no hint whatsoever that he has grown weary of the part. Whether or not you are a comic book lover, seeing Jackman’s Wolverine alone feels like reuniting and reconnecting with an old friend whom you haven’t seen in a very long time.
Reynolds likewise makes the character of Deadpool his very own, and his performance of Wade Wilson as a fish-out-of-water struggling to do what is right while fighting the supervillains has really been the heart and soul of this film series. And his onscreen chemistry with Jackman’s Wolverine surely makes up one memorable movie odd couple!
The standout new character here is no doubt the supervillain Cassandra Nova, brilliantly played by British actress Emma Corrin, whom many of us may know from her portrayal of a young Princess Diana on the Netflix hit series “The Crown.”
It’s still too early to judge this movie as being the one to totally turn the MCU’s fortunes around for good. But by itself, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a wonderful and enjoyable reminder of why the superhero genre can live and fight side-by-side, just like the film’s two titular characters.
