MOVIE REVIEW: DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Wolverine is recovering from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth, Deadpool. They team up to defeat a common enemy.

Director: Shawn Levy

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfadyen, Stefan Kapicic, Brianna Hildebrand, Leslie Uggams, Rob Delaney

Release Date: July 26, 2024

Genre: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, gore and sexual references.

Runtime: 2h 7m

Review:

Deadpool & Wolverine releases the floodgates on fan service, taking the meta approach to storytelling used in the previous entries to a nuclear extreme here.  It’s not shy about acknowledging the fact that the story is little more than an excuse to open up the sand box to let Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman run amok in the most gorily funny way possible.  The script is funny throughout with Reynolds doing his thing while Jackman is more than capable as the gruff straight guy.  By this point in time, Ryan Reynolds wears this character like a second skin, so his comedic energy is expected but Hugh Jackman manages to bring a tortured depth to this version of Wolverine.  Their onscreen energy carries the film even as the cameos, winks and nods start coming at a regular rate.  There are plenty of genuine surprises scattered throughout the film which serves a love letter/send off for the Fox era Marvel movies which Reynolds clearly has an affection for.  On the supporting end, Matthew Macfadyen and Emma Corrin get the largest amount of screen time with each leaving enough of impression that makes you wish the film had used them a bit more.  Macfadyen brings an outsized, manic energy to his character while Corrin is clearly having a ball playing the more calculating villainess who likes to get up close and personal.  The action sequences are over the top and gleefully bloody even though the Deadpool Wolverine fight lose some of their punch by the second or third time they roll around since neither can actually die.  It’s a strange balance for the film as it veers into full blown parody of the genre on multiple occasions but that doesn't keep Deadpool & Wolverine from being an entertaining jaunt even for the uninitiated. 

B

MOVIE REVIEW: TOM AND JERRY

 

A legendary rivalry reemerges when Jerry moves into New York City's finest hotel on the eve of the wedding of the century, forcing the desperate event planner to hire Tom to get rid of him. As mayhem ensues, the escalating cat-and-mouse battle soon threatens to destroy her career, the wedding, and possibly the hotel itself.

Director: Tim Story

Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Colin Jost, Rob Delaney, and Ken Jeong, Nicky Jam, Bobby Cannavale,  Lil Rel Howery, William Hanna, Mel Blanc, June Foray, Frank Welker

Release Date: February 26, 2021

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Rated PG for cartoon violence, rude humor and brief language

Runtime: 1 h 41 min

Review:

Tom and Jerry is very much a throwback on multiple levels.  The titular pair are some of the most iconic characters in the history of animation with this being the second outing on the big screen.  It’s not the mess that the 1992 film but still scattershot and uneven for its runtime.  The live action hybrid works fairly well even though there are multiple times that you can tell the cast is reacting to air or placeholders.  Its still a very impressive feat on a technical level and the animations looks wonderfully fluid.  It’s hard to watch this without getting some Who Framed Roger Rabbit vibes in spots with a more family friendly approach.  The story and direction are harmlessly broad for the most part but there are bits of edge, some of which works well while others fall flat.  Tom and Jerry mostly stay true to their classic iterations which is a win for people who remember the classic shorts.  The human cast is solid if bland with Chloë Grace Moretz carrying the larger portion of the film, Moretz is a talented actress but her delivery here feels a little wooden and uninspired.  Her character never really connects as a fully formed entity but just a vessel to move the story along.  Michael Peña likewise doesn’t feel as naturalistic as he usually does which leads me to be believe that there might be a disconnect between the live actors and their animated counter parts.  As such, we are left with an overlong film that works in spots but lulls in others.  Tim Story’s film would have benefited from trimming but overall it’s a solid mindless family film that’ll keep most kids entertained. 

C+