By: Russ Matthews
Deadpool: He is the one Marvel character everyone wants to see in cinemas. Still, most feel guilty even acknowledging they enjoy his existence.
Since his introduction to X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009, fans have wanted Wade Wilson to return in his true glory. A wish that was eventually granted by Fox Studios reluctantly as Ryan Reynolds resurrected the Merc with a Mouth in his uncensored form, and as the box office receipts rolled in, a new superhero franchise was born. Yet, no one could have predicted that Disney would acquire Fox after this. Then, a worldwide pandemic would impact the possibility of The Crimson Comedian entering the MCU and potentially reuniting with Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Yet, the virtuous cycle comes around, and the bromance is about to be unleashed on the world with a vengeance that will alter the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Six years since we last were pummelled by Wade Wilson (Reynolds) and company, he has tried to enlist in the Avengers. After being rejected, he decides that his best option is selling pre-owned cars. Until he is visited by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) agents. Mr. Paradox, played with smarmy brilliance by Matthew Macfadyen, shares how his world’s timeline is in jeopardy and needs to fix things with his unique skills. Wade sniffs out that something is amiss and sees through the devious scheme of this unlikely villain. He works through the various universes to find the one Wolverine who can help him fix the various timelines and return to his life. Still, as one would expect, Deadpool causes more ripples through the multiverse that will bring many characters back from the past and wreak havoc on the future of the MCU.
Now, I must break the reviewer’s fourth wall and say I’m entirely conflicted by this film and character.
As a film, this whole experience was a refreshing turn within the MCU realm and cinemas overall. The chemistry between Reynolds and Jackman is one of those rare comedic combinations impossible to manufacture. Their connection covers a multitude of cinematic sins that occur throughout the storyline. Then the cameos, oh the cameos. Director Shawn Levy (Free Guy, The Adam Project) and the writing team manage to strike gold by bringing back some of the most maligned and forgotten heroes of the Marvel/Fox universe. For all of the insiders of the comic book minions in the world, these elements will rush over you with a wave of satisfaction like no other in your world. To add a cherry on top of the throwbacks, everyone should be excited to see Peter Wisdom (Rob Delaney) from X-Force back for more hilarious action in this chapter.
Then, this production manages to do something that hasn’t been seen since Thanos first graced our screens as they introduce two satisfying villains to the MCU. Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) and Mr. Paradox (Macfadyen) who were the ideal one-two punch to complete this package. Their combination of unnerving evil and sleaze complement the moral fluidity of the lead characters while capitalising on the two heroes’ few weaknesses within this bizarre world of anti-heroes. Each of these story components takes this movie to the top of the MCU’s ‘best of’ list, proving they have found themselves again with possibly the best film since Endgame. Still, the review isn’t that easy to conclude.
Remember the part where I broke the fourth wall and said, this film is extremely conflicting? Well, here goes the clash of conscience.
As I have said in previous reviews of the Deadpool franchise, this film is tough to stomach despite the undeniable appeal of this character and the brilliance of Ryan Reynolds’ gift for streaming together words. The level of violence would make John Wick and John Kramer/Jigsaw (Saw) blush and possibly turn away from the screen. For anyone shocked by this aspect of the franchise, you need to get out more and study up on this character. Yet, the violence is not the only thing that deserves attention. No one can deny that the depths Deadpool is allowed to take in his homo-erotic, drug-inspired, sacrilegious and homicidal-fuelled humour should encourage any parent to keep their child far from the cinema this weekend. Not that this is new to viewers, but those just joining the Reynolds/Jackman bandwagon know that the jokes are even more confronting than the battles at times.
Yes, the moralising is justified with this franchise if it reminds people that Deadpool is not for children and not for those with sensitive dispositions towards violence, crude humour and unapologetically offensive cinematic viewing. Despite the quality of the writing, the reintroduction of beloved characters and the lead actors’ magnetic personalities, this film needs to come with a warning. Thus endeth the lesson!
As a conflicted film reviewer, Deadpool & Wolverine leaves me sitting in that paradoxical realm between endorsement and caution. On the one hand, the immature cinematic junkie wants to scream from the rooftops that this is the most fun he has had in the cinema in quite some time. On the other hand, my faith-backed fatherly instincts kick in and want to shine off the other side of the rooftop a bat signal that says, ‘Parents, keep your children away!’ This film left me to wrestle with my two selves in a Honda Odyssey (You’ll get the joke if you see the film) about where to land on this review. So, I leave it in your hands, my wonderful readers. The information is there in this relatively spoiler-free full review; the choice is yours on Deadpool & Wolverine.
REEL DIALOGUE: I want to matter
Wolverine & Deadpool have more in common than you may realise. Beyond being able to regenerate, these anti-heroes both have an inner yearning to be the hero of their worlds. This is a key element teased out within their narratives and does come to a satisfying, if not exceedingly violent, conclusion.
These fictitious superhero stories tap into a real-life internal need for us all to be the heroes of our own stories. We want to matter.
How do you define a hero? This is a question that can take on a multitude of answers. From the fictional character to the unsung humble members of our community, the label of hero can cut across cultures, genders, ages and nations.
The dictionary definition of a hero is a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character.
Wolverine, Deadpool, and even real-life people who sometimes fit this definition eventually prove that they are flawed in other areas of their lives. This broad definition can be placed on many individuals who have performed heroic acts throughout history. Still, only one person truly fits into this without blemish. One whose courageous act was enough to save the world. It is hard to look past Jesus as the true definition of a hero. All others pale in comparison, not to diminish their value, but merely to point to the one who set the standard for true heroism.
1 Peter 3: 18 states, “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God.”
Jesus did what our own heroic acts could never do. His heroic sacrifice paved the way for all of mankind to return to God.
Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.
All images: Movie publicity
About the author: Russ Matthews is a film critic at City Bible Forum and Reel Dialogue. He has a passion for film and sparking spiritual conversations.