Deapool and Wolverine (2024) *

 

Directed by:  Shawn Levy

Starring:  Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackson, Emma Corrin, Matthew McFadyen, Morena Baccarin, Dafne Keen, Leslie Uggams, Rob Delaney

Even Deadpool in Deadpool and Wolverine states that the multiverse plot has seen better days, and this movie is irrefutable evidence.  Deadpool and Wolverine is over two hours of incomprehensible plot, lame self-mockery, meta awareness, abundant homoerotic jokes, and snark overkill.  No wonder Wolverine wants to punch Deadpool every chance he gets.  It is another lazy multiverse story where Logan/Wolverine, who died in the 2017 movie Logan, is now resurrected to team up with Deadpool to save the current universe from Professor Charles Xavier's sister (Corrin), who wants to destroy it.  If she could find a way to eradicate multiverses, we would really be on to something.  

Multiverse plots are free-for-alls whose purpose is to introduce past Marvel characters in uncredited cameos, eliciting applause from the audience.   Not much is done with the cameos once they're brought on to the scene.  It is not even clear why they're hanging around except to evoke nostalgia.  There are two famous Marvel characters who show up, fight in one of the movie's many, many bloody battles, and then aren't referred to again.  The villain has ten minutes of dialogue exposition to explain to Deadpool what his objective is, and we're still baffled.  

We're left with tiresome pokes at Disney, Marvel, etc. from Deadpool/Wade Wilson (Reynolds), whose character made headway in the far superior Deadpool 2 because he actually showed a caring side.  He wasn't simply a snarky antihero.  Deadpool and Wolverine forgets all that and presents us with an insufferable Deadpool and a Wolverine (Jackman) who wishes he were allowed to rest in peace.  Since Deadpool and Wolverine grossed over $200 million at the domestic box office this past weekend, it appears the Marvel Universe, which was on life support, is now back in full force.   

Have I lost my sense of humor, which is subjective anyway?  I think not.  I have nothing against vulgar humor.  Sometimes, the best laughs come from that material, if demonstrated correctly.  I have a hunch that if I asked anyone in one week or so what they found so hilarious about Deadpool and Wolverine, he or she would struggle to remember.