Deadpool & Wolverine

For anyone familiar with Marvel, it was clear this movie would be a game-changer. Marvel's future seemed to hang in the balance — either they'd rise or their glory days would fade. But pairing Deadpool with Wolverine? That’s a surefire bet. Especially with Hugh Jackman once claiming his Logan days were over after Logan. The writers would have to massively screw up to make this a flop, and they didn't. Quite the opposite. From the very first scene, it's clear this movie was worth making. It's brutally honest, sharply critical of modern times and Marvel's current status in Hollywood, and filled with references that true fans will appreciate. Ryan Reynolds brings his signature crude humor, swearing like a sailor, and you can't help but love it. Hugh Jackman, on the other hand, delivers a raw, torn performance that fits Logan perfectly. Marvel nailed it this time. Kevin Feige has effectively redeemed the franchise after the last couple of years. So, what's next? (05/08/2024)

The ultimate Marvel porn, a desensitized hodgepodge of enticements designed to leave comic book fans with as many wet seats in the cinema as possible, packed with enough sensory stimuli to make most viewers simply turn off their brains and ride the wave of riveting entertainment. For once you start to think for a moment about the plot, the motivations of the characters, and the significance of their presence in the story, you find that they are virtually nil. Don't get me wrong, it's probably the coolest installment of Deadpool, and unlike most of the recent Marvel movies I've seen, this was at least really fun, but fun that was shallow, childishly simple, consumerist, and not as funny as the five writers apparently tried and wanted it to be. PS. I appreciate a bit the subversive homage to 20th Century Fox and the novel choice of cameo roles, since they are mandatory now, but I won't be lulled by it. (24/07/2024)

Marvel's salvation doesn't quite happen, in fact, neither does a proper sequel the kind the two previous great films deserve. The threequel, in my opinion, is largely a cynical marketing ploy (yes, I know movies are made to get people to go see them, but they don't have to stick out like that), the plot of which is summed up by its title; it is, after all, nothing more than an opportunity to see Deadpool and Wolverine go on a rampage. Don't expect a surprising plot, and unfortunately, don't expect the well-written story that the first Deadpool had, and oddly enough, don't expect such imaginative action sequences or naturally occurring humour either. There's either too much or not enough of everything in Deadpool & Wolverine. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman certainly had a good time and gave it their all, or what did work worked mainly because of them, as Shawn Levy didn't help much and the other actors and actresses are negligible and entertain mainly with their return to their roles and not by doing anything entertaining. Otherwise, though, I'll long be haunted by things like the agonizingly long monologues of the TVA boss, the soon-to-be-ridiculed slow-motion posing before the action, the whole mess that someone decided to call a story... If the film is a success, I'll be happy for the people behind it, but I certainly can't call it that. (25/07/2024)

A revival of the best that we have seen from the Marvel and X-Men movies. A nerdishly well-crafted pop-up book of sketches with bold references not only to the characters and relationships of the comic-book world, but also to the behind-the-scenes workings of Hollywood studios, and which are not afraid of being honest and poking fun at themselves. Superbly utilised buddy potential between Wolverine and the comical Deadpool, for whose wisecracking Ryan Reynolds could apply for a patent. The female villain is interesting and powerful, and old characters make surprising appearances. Hugh Jackman performs as if his life depended on it and pretty much everyone gives their all, as if it was a matter of saving a phenomenon. Which it also was. (29/07/2024)

A madcap romp where half of it doesn't make sense, but a couple of one-liners are really good and the return of the old guys is a real treat. Hugh Jackman as we love him and surprisingly in super form again. I wouldn't go for it again, but kudos to Shawn Levy for his wholesomely politically incorrect, at times pretty wacky style and awesome action flick. (07/08/2024)