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Film reviews

Deadpool & Wolverine Review

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Ryan Reynolds (left) and Hugh Jackman (right) in Deadpool &Wolverine

Disney may have acquired the rights to Marvel, but that does not stop Ryan Reynolds from having one vocal-mouth in portraying a very volatile hero. There are no barriers with Reynolds as he delivers the role well and is classy as always.  Deadpool & Wolverine cranks up the notch five times higher than previous films in the genre—there are a lot more surprises, and tons of unadulterated dialogue that is just to die for. A raucous time filled with laughs, twists, and consistent lethal action. Reynolds does Deadpool right, and he is not afraid to break the truth of his comic character with a gem for being successful…no matter how stupendous he may be. With Hugh Jackman (back in the game as Logan and Wolverine), Deadpool & Wolverine is ascenario where it takes two to tango…especially when each wants to feel like the bigger hero.

This is the third film in the franchise of Deadpool. With Reynolds back as Wade Wilson aka Deadpool, he is trying to climb out of reality and make his way into the universe of Marvel. He refers to himself as their, “Jesus.” The humor that fans expect is in full force and surprisingly it plays well and gets even better. After living a few years as a mercenary, he looks to get back into the game. Unfortunately, his world and universe face all kinds of issues. The one who presents these problems to him is Mr. Paradox (played by Matthew Macfayden). With the universes in all kinds of crisis scenarios, Jackman returns as Logan aka Wolverine. Together, this is a dynamic where villainous moments are fueled with all kinds of adventure. The universes are in a tangle and Deadpool and Wolverine despise each other. Their adventures leap over all kinds of hurdles in a superhero adventure that is unforgettable with twists.

It is a rollercoaster of reminders as there are many nostalgic moments linking to previous movies from the days of Fox and Marvel. Some dialogue gets a little slapstick at times, but it just adds fuel to the fire. Deadpool & Wolverine is a formulaic escape into the pure depths of what both these heroes are truly made of. When Reynolds and Jackman are in the boat having to work together, expect trial with many errors done brilliantly and humorously. The combination of humor, saving the world, and all kinds of mishaps are all explored fully within the clever writing of Deadpool & Wolverine.

Even the nostalgia adds to all the memories of captivating with Deadpool & Wolverine. With the older heroes from previous films making their way in, the film reminds us of how some previous films never continued. Some of those previous heroes found the right place to redeem themselves and be seen again, especially after how the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in a weird bind going forward. The performances of Reynolds and Jackman are the voices of what is a joyful and clever direction to pick up on again. Deadpool & Wolverine is diverse and entertaining in its track of slapstick, fun, and adventurous moments.

Who is the true hero? Is it Deadpool? Is it Wolverine? Is it them together? What are the heroes that come around for nostalgia? How much filter is there in Deadpool & Wolverine? Not much. All these questions are answered with thrills to die for and live for. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Deadpool & Wolverine.

Film reviews

Inside Out 2 Review

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It’s been nine years since the first Inside Out opened. The first one established a foundation, and this one elevates the experience to a whole new level. Inside Out 2 takes a deeper dive into emotions and all kinds of growth. This film has stellar animation galore. I walked out of the movie feeling mesmerized by the story which deeply connected to my own emotions. A combination of happiness, sadness, loneliness, and anxiousness were all swimming in my head. Inside Out 2 brings out strong feelings of empathy in a beautiful and poetic way.

The voices of the characters are back this time around. Each of them displays the emotions of the human, Riley, whose voice is played by Kensington Tallman. The emotions continue to thrive in this film. They are Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler), Sadness (voiced by Phyllis Smith), Anger (voiced by Lewis Black), Fear (voiced by Tony Hale), Disgust (voiced by Liza Lapira), and Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke). These characters are all in their appropriate places for Riley, who is now in her teenage years, and off to Hockey camp. Given Riley is going through puberty, the characters hit some plateaus. There is a new world of challenges which portrayed like pieces of a puzzle which is falling apart.

The themes related to growing up combine into a unique creative adventure that I found exhilarating. There are scenes in which Riley is mentally discouraged as well as new paths she discovers to tackle new feelings. I appreciated the purity in the scenes which effectively portrayed the process of growing up. It made me think of The Toy Story franchise. As the child got older in that franchise, more challenges leading to new adventures came along, and opened even more doors. Joy takes the lead as the hero and navigates her way through various tough issues throughout the film. Anger plays a starring role in some parts and these strong emotions do not always see eye-to-eye.

With Riley being at a hockey camp, I felt the film’s writing was built on a strong foundation that allowed it to soar to newheights. Since Riley is not in one place as much as she was in the first film, she is now in a world with different people and diverse interaction. This gives the characters lots of ways to express their emotions. Riley’s self-esteem is the part that really brings out the positive feelings in Inside Out 2.

Ask yourself how you are feeling. Ask yourself if you are feeling up. Ask yourself if you are feeling down. No matter what emotions you’re feeling there is a wonderful message inside Inside Out 2. I enjoyed thinking about the characters and their feelings. Since audiences already know these feelings have a purpose, the story is very relatable. There are also moments in the film where the characters find themselves in hysterics which adds to the fun. In addition to the laughs, plenty of growth occurs in this invigorating animated film. Three out of four stars for Inside Out 2. 

Film reviews

The Young Woman and the Sea Review

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The art of swimming is an important life skill. It requires agility, muscle strength, and persistence. Daisy Ridley possesses all these skills in The Young Woman and the Sea. Directed by Joachim Ronning, the film is presented with the message of never backing down. The true story of Trudy Ederle, played by Ridley, has a compelling momentum. The era of the 1924 Olympics creates a galore of amazement. However, in some ways, the film is only slightly above average. Challenges with the depth of the story and associated obstacles cause it to drag at times.

I had to take swimming lessons as a child, and I forgot how much effort it takes to learn this life skill. Becoming a skilled swimmer who can handle deep water and currents has life-changing benefits. The film begins with Trudy and her sister Margaret Ederle, played by Tilda Cobham-Hervey. They are the daughters of a German butcher, Henry Ederle, played by Kim Bodnia. Women as athletes in this era were frowned upon. Trudy sets a significant goal which is to swim across the English Channel. She believes this test of her endurance will give her life meaning.

The dynamics of the film make it a bit shaky. At times, it becomes more about the political issues and the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) for dramatic effect. The acting is superb. The scenes where Trudy is dealing with what is given to her for her impossible task are particularly strong. Her first coach is Charlotte played by Sian Clifford, but she is not able to use her. The coach assigned to her is Jabez Wolffe,played by Christopher Eccleston. James Sullivan, played by Glenn Fleshler, oversees her contracts and sponsorship. Finally, there is Stephen Graham, played by Bill Burgess, the sailor who follows the progress of Trudy’s swimming. These characters and their issues result in mixed dynamics involving politics as well as how to handle an array of trials and errors.

The Young Woman and the Sea dives into surreal moments of peril. With water conditions and obstacles along the way, the story sometimes feels like a version of The Perfect Storm. The waves and the currents are too Hollywood-like. Overall, the film captures the imagination with the human element and persistent pursuit of a life accomplishments.

Even though I found the technical aspects lacking, this is Ridley’s most authentic role yet. She plays an icon whose story’s poke to the world. Her experience proves that it is not easy to achieve success the first time around. The inspiration of never quitting is where I found the film to be most invigorating. Ridley’s performance is an important reminder that being fearless is a key aspect of becoming a winner.

I left the movie with bodies of water on my mind due to the unpredictable obstacles Trudy was up against. The mist, the cold, and the currents added to her dangerous journey in The Young Woman and the Sea. Three out of four stars.