By Daniel R. Durrett
@FilmDitz
Meta me not, least of all a Deadpool or a variant of a Deadpool, but this Marvel movie is worth a trip to the theater. Grab hold tight cause this story coaster is gonna be a bumpy ride.
Deadpool must enlist Wolverine’s help in saving his Universe so that Deadpool can save his “family”. These are the characters that have helped Wade grow emotionally in the previous Deadpool movies.
The one glaring flaw Ryan Reynolds (Wrexham AFC Co-Owner, Mint Mobile Commercials) corrected with Sony’s original Deadpool mistake is the fact that the “Merc with the Mouth” has to Narrate the movie, or you have lost the core of the character. This is a reason why this specific character has such a connection with the audience and why we care about his story being told. If you remove Deadpool’s chatter and innuendo then the unique process of the best anti-villan to hero transformation sucks as a story. The first ‘leaked’ test footage of the developmental deal that gave adult audiences the first R-rated MCU film.
The character’s growth has in many ways been marred with disappointment and failure, but for an indestructible human, this might be the best life a Deadpool can have. A heart destined to be riddled with scar tissue marking Wade’s literal heart-break. Backed by the growth he gains from all the friendships he has been forced to accept. It is this friendship and love that grows Wade’s humanity and what makes Deadpool’s anti-hero to eventual true hero journey worth watching. Reynolds’ love of the character and its source material may be the answer as to why it has such a perfectly ADD-riddled process. A view that presents the story with its 4th wall breaks, Cross-world referencing, and character cameos. Then add to that comedic and irreverent edges that make the Deadpool world such a respite from what we as an audience have grown accustomed to in a Superhero movie.
Logan ‘The Wolverine’ as forever portrayed by Hugh Jackman (The 76th Annual Tony Awards Host, Rick & Morty) and his glorious balls that are fondled, “the Polverine”, lest we forget where this all started.
There are so many references and hat tips, on one screening a single viewing won’t get it done. Many characters return from the two previous films and the Marvel universe, as a whole. Vanessa portrayed by Morena Baccarin (Deadpool, Serenity) returns as Wade’s never-ending love that has demanded that he find a life of purpose and use his powers for good. Enter the now ever-present side-kick of Deadpool, Peter who is reprised by Rob Delaney (Catastrophe, Deadpool 2). Perhaps his undying loyalty is the thing that makes him the most helpful weapon in the Deadpool arsenal.
However, where would any Deadpool film be without Blind Al? brought to life by Leslie Uggams (Deadpool, Fallout), who continues to clarify Disney’s policy on cocaine at every chance she gets. Supporting the love of the original comic arc for the love and attention the character showed in his mental state and the death-chasing love that Deadpool lived within his heart. Al has been his ever-constant friend and the real reason Deadpool wears red.
Adding to this statement that this may be the most complete Deadpool of the series. A Deadpool and Wade that are ready to love and be loved in return. In duplicity, this may be at the same level of self-hate and equaled by Wolverine in this film. Just as Deadpool said in his first movie, laughter hides the real pain and this may be where the characters connect the clearist.
The action is as gargantuan as you would hope to see the fights in your head. One thing about Deadpool he is a thoughtful killer in the choices he makes during battle, with a savant-like instantaneous speed of choices. This is the most helpful of the superpowers that Deadpool possesses along with regeneration. Now his humor runs through the story and is another weapon wielded in the Deadpool holster. It is my belief he uses comedy the same way I do on the tennis court; stun your opponents into screwing up. Wade does use this as an operational move to gain the upper hand to dispatch said foe.
So, Wolverine is his greatest adversary due to the lack of a sense of humor and similar regenerative powers. Near equal,.. even to the adamantium blades, though Deadpool bullets are pretty much a bee sting to Wolverine. Yet, another pain to deal with is enduring the existence of Deadpool, because just like you he is built to stay.
The usher for the story and Wade into the TVA and the multiverse is the perfectly cast Mr. Paradox, delivered to the audience with beautiful precision by Matthew Macfadyen (Succession, The Three Musketeers). Macfadyen’s delivery of daft determination that he channeled in his character in “HBO’s Succession” is the grand performance of the film.
For me to give away their travel plans is to spoil the film. I would say that once you travel getting to your destination is the real adventure. This might best speak to “The Void” as the location where they spend a significant portion of the story. This is the place that the TVA prunes variants too (Reference the Loki Series on Disney +).
Many past characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will appear a few significant appearances are Pyro reprised by Aaron Stanford (X-Men: United, The Hills Have Eyes) as a hunter for Casandra Nova portrayed by Emma Corrin (The Crown, My Policeman) who runs the void due to her powers that are similar to Professor Xavier. Since they are twins. Corrin does much to fill the shoes of Patrick Stewart/ James McAvoy, with a performance that did much to keep up the level of sophistication and depth that made Stewart/ McAvoy’s previous performances.
Another return of note is the reprisal of Ray Park’s (X-Men, Star Wars: Episode I) Toad from the original X-Men (1999). No real spoilers but the discussion delivered by X-23/ Laura portrayed by Dafne Keen (Logan, His Dark Materials) is as impactful as it was delivered in the trailer. Laura and her connection to Logan is the adjustment in Wolverine’s heart to make the change in his own life.
One of the best cameos which, I will claim is a spoiler but (I am way late with this review) -So! deal NERDS!- including Happy Hogan played by the boss Jon Favreau (Chef, Swingers) is the best cameo of this film and to just let these two actors go at it in the most mundane manner possible. There is no punching in the scene but it may be one of the most pivotal of the film. To add Happy as the gateway to the Avengers in all his administrative greatness is the best nod that can exist in this film in my honest opinion.
Upon a second viewing, it has moments of lag, where time is given to a joke or reference, but that is also the fun of seeing a Deadpool film. This film is not a stand-alone film without seeing the Loki Disney + series, a viewer can be left lost in the second act.
Astonishing amounts are good about this film, which will massively outweigh any complaint unless you’re a Morman. Most of all the music is so complete that it influences the entire viewing by bringing you up and deepening your feelings about a character or specific scene.
Among, the laughter that will overcome your viewing is a crazed and plentiful process that is so layered, that the film will require multiple screenings, in hopes of catching all the hidden goodness.
All of the side and meta references do not throw the story off of its path.
God’s perfect idiot, is complete when he learns to grow back his soul.
