Movie Review: Deadpool and Wolverine

 

It’s been a LONG TIME since I wrote a proper movie review here, and ironically it’s been over a year since the last one (July 2023)! However now’s a good time as any to get back in the game for this - because one of the most anticipated films of 2024 and the ONLY Marvel Studios movie of the year is finally out, and it’s Deadpool and Wolverine!

After the acquisition of 20th Century Fox and its Marvel properties by Disney, the X-Men are finally home and can officially join the Marvel Cinematic Universe under the leadership of Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios. That means there’s no line separating the Avengers from the likes of Deadpool and Wolverine, and those two FINALLY have the chance to go balls to the walls with the rest of the Marvel Universe!

Thanks to Marvel Philippines, Disney Philippines, Ardent Communications, and SM Cinema, I got to see this superhero film way ahead of its release last July 23 in a special #DeadpoolandWolverinePH advance screening event - and I even suited up and detailed the experience here at my own YouTube channel! Take a look at the highlights below!

Now, on to the review of the first R-Rated movie of Marvel Studios - Deadpool and Wolverine!❤️💛🔥

As the 34th film entry in the ever expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is the eponymous team-up movie between The Merc With A Mouth and The Best There Is At What He Does - as they officially enter the Marvel Multiverse and sees the unlikely duo work together to save Wade Wilson’s universe from being erased from existence. Since the Logan from his world died years ago after giving his life in an act of noble sacrifice, Wade Wilson is forced to look for a Wolverine from a different universe who can help him save the ones he loves. Unfortunately this Logan variant is less than pleased to work with an annoying mouthpiece who refuses to shut up, leading to some combustible interactions and lots of bloody arguments between the two. They’ll have to learn to put their differences aside though - as they deal with agents from the TVA, lots of different variants, and the telepathic twin sister of Charles Xavier from another world known as Cassandra Nova.

As a superhero movie, Deadpool & Wolverine delivers the goods and action as promoted in its massive marketing campaign - giving us Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman at their very best as they make the transition from the 20th Century Fox universe of X-Men and Marvel films to the MCU as crafted so carefully and lovingly by Marvel Studios. This is definitely a crowd pleaser film that will get lots of fanboys happy - especially in the case of Jackman’s Wolverine as he FINALLY puts on the yellow and blue superhero outfit on and it only took 20+ years to do so! Hugh’s literally looking like he never aged and will always be the first man to play Logan in the big screen - and that legacy is so well respected by Kevin Feige and movie director Shawn Levy that his performance in this film is absolute top notch and brings manly tears to fanboys hearts. He is and will always be WOLVERINE and there’s a punctuation mark attached to that, bub!

Of course the main man and very talkative lead has to be acknowledged too, and Ryan Reynolds never skips a beat breaking the 4th wall and making people laugh with his performance as Deadpool. Wade Wilson is a man who will shut up and loves to get a lot of people pissed at his antics, and his delivery is so on point it’s amazing to finally see the character join the Marvel Studios family and dish out some R-Rated jokes and brutal kills in an MCU film. His banter with Jackman’s Logan is pure cinematic gold, and you’ll laugh and get a kick out of this Lethal Weapon odd couple duo from start to finish. It also helps that the soundtrack of the movie is a kickass selection of nostalgic and iconic tracks - led by Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” which will have you humming and singing until you see the post-credits scene and walk out of the theater happy.

Of course there’s more to Deadpool & Wolverine than just its two main stars, and you also have to give props to Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova, Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Rob Delaney as Pete Wisdom, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, and Matthew Macfayden as Mr. Paradox. All performed their roles brilliantly and well to serve the plot, and there are also PLENTY OF SUPPORTING ROLES AND CAMEOS that I want to refrain from mentioning as this movie should be experienced by all and I’m saving those surprises for you to see.

While certainly not a perfect production and it has its flaws (which are minor and only concern pacing and the plot), I really enjoyed Deadpool & Wolverine and it’s the kind of film Marvel Studios’ needed to put out to bring fans back to the MCU game. With this entry we see Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman deliver their A-Games as Wade Wilson and Logan, and they deliver superhero action without any reservation or restraint to the applause and cheers of fans worldwide. Lots of fanservice, easter eggs, and iconic tracks. It’s fun, brutal, and absolutely A MUST WATCH, BUB!

Rating - 4/5 

Movie Review: Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One

 

For nearly three decades since taking on the role of secret agent Ethan Hunt, Tom Cruise has campaigned and ridden on the action movie scene without skipping a beat -  showing just why he's one of Hollywood's most ambitious and charismatic stars to this day. With 1996's "Mission: Impossible" - he changed the rules of the IMF game and became the franchise's de facto lead, with each instalment constantly pushing the envelope and putting Ethan and his team in death defying world saving situations that would put any man through hell just to get out of it alive. He mostly comes out of each iteration unscathed and saves the day without fail, but all of that gets tested to the fullest with "Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One" - the seventh installment in the Mission: Impossible film series that serves as the first of a two part event that will serve at the biggest adventure the Impossible Mission Force has faced yet.

Thanks to Paramount Pictures Philippines, UIP Movies PH, and SM Cinema, I got to see the film last week - and of course being a Tom Cruise film it opens strong and has a LOT of practical effects and stunt work that will always impress those looking for no-brainer action flicks that will leave them at the edge of their seats. 

Here's my thoughts on "Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One". Naturally SPOILER ALERT, so read at your own risk... Should you choose to accept it!

Movie Review: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

 

For as long as cinema and adventure have coexisted and collaborated, film buffs and movie fans have known the name "Indiana Jones" and the man who has put on the hat, cracked that whip, and fought Nazis and evil men to save the world while searching for fortune and glory at the same time. I can confidently say that even as the passage of time goes and actors we know age and get older, that role is and forever will be associated with Harrison Ford - who returns once again to the iconic role in this fifth instalment that serves as the final chapter and bookend to a saga that began with 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and has continued through the decades with a handful of sequels and spin-offs in all forms of media.

Growing up watching Indiana Jones films beginning with "Temple of Doom" and of course "The Last Crusade", I've always been fascinated with Professor Henry Walton Jones, Jr.'s exploits and history - particularly when he's at a situation where he's just after ancient artifacts or civilizations for the sake of adventure or simply trying to put it where it belongs... In a museum for the world to appreciate and see. It also helps that the character is a nerd and has a sense for adventure, while also figuring out things as he goes and doesn't necessarily have the answers but manages to get them in the nick of time to save himself, the girl, or those that he considers friends and loved ones. 

In the Dial of Destiny we see that spark emerge for one final adventure, and thanks to Walt Disney Studios Philippines, Stratworks, and Ayala Cinemas I was able to catch the special advance screening of the movie - and I honestly enjoyed the ride and found it a pretty good send-off for the character. Here's my thoughts and review on the long awaited sequel below - and naturally here's a SPOILER WARNING so read at your own risk or better yet watch the film first before diving in!