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: FREE GUY

 

When a bank teller discovers he's actually a background player in an open-world video game, he decides to become the hero of his own story -- one that he can rewrite himself. In a world where there's no limits, he's determined to save the day his way before it's too late, and maybe find a little romance with the coder who conceived him.

Director: Shawn Levy

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Taika Waititi, Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Joe Keery

Rated PG-13 for strong fantasy violence throughout, language and crude/suggestive references

Release Date: August 13, 2021

Genres: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Runtime: 1h 55 min

Review:

In a strange world The Lego Movie and John Carpenter’s They Live got married and had baby which grew up to be Free Guy.  Shawn Levy’s video game film is fun romp which isn’t nearly as clever as it thinks it is but manages to maintain an undeniable energy that makes the whole thing enjoyable.  Ryan Reynold’s uses his endless charm to great extent to make the film work.  He’s pretty much the lifeblood of the film but Killing Eve star Jodie Comer ends up being the film’s beating heart.  Together they make a fun onscreen couple among all the insanity that pulls heavily from the Grand Theft Auto video game series.  The supporting cast help make the film work through the predictable story.  Lil Rel Howery is incredibly earnest as Guy’s best friend, so much so that a moment near the end is surprisingly moving.  Taika Waititi though makes the biggest impression with his natural comedic talents.  Waititi’s character is incredibly over the top but so much fun as he spoofs the worse version of video game company owners.  Free Guy is a fun film but you can’t help but think that you’ve already seen much better versions of the same story. 

B-