Deadpool & Wolverine (4K UHD Review)
- Review Date: Dec 23, 2024
- Format: 4K Ultra HD
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Director
Shawn LevyRelease Date(s)
2024 (October 22, 2024)Studio(s)
Marvel Studios/20th Century Studios/Disney (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)- Film/Program Grade: A
- Video Grade: A+
- Audio Grade: A+
- Extras Grade: C+
Review
The fact that Deadpool & Wolverine made it to the big screen in the form that it did and was both insanely successful and well-received by critics and audiences is nothing short of miraculous, considering all of the seemingly insurmountable roadblocks that were in its path. From Disney acquiring 20th Century Fox to securing important casting to finding a way to tell a new Deadpool story without shying away from the violent, foul-mouthed content that it’s well known for, it’s amazing that the family-friendly Marvel Cinematic Universe allowed room for such an effort. Thankfully for everyone involved, several years of development paid off as it was not only the second-highest grossing film of the year, but also currently the highest-grossing R-rated film in history, topping out at nearly $1.4 billion. That’s certainly no small feat.
Discussing the plot of Deadpool & Wolverine is actually a difficult task since so much of its content can be ruined if you know too much about it ahead of time, but I’ll do my level best to steer clear of obvious spoilers for those who haven’t seen it and want to remain as fresh as possible.
After the events of the first two films, Wade Wilson aka Deadpool has sunk to the bottom, having given up his superhero persona to try and find a new existence after breaking up with his girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) and being rejected by the Avengers. Unbeknownst to him, the Time Variance Authority (TVA) has been watching him. Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) brings him in and offers him the chance to join the Avengers’ sacred timeline, but he must help them prune his current timeline wherein Logan aka Wolverine has died, deeming that timeline to be no longer relevant and using a device called the Time Ripper to destroy it quickly. Distraught at the thought of losing his friends, he refuses and jumps timelines in the hopes of finding a Logan variant that will help him. When he brings one back to the TVA, they’re both cast into the Void. There, they meet its deadly overseer, Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), a powerful mind reader with an army of rejected variants at her command. However, the real threat will be whether Wade and Logan will be able to stand each other long enough to survive and potentially save the world.
While there are a few minor plot inconsistencies along the way, Deadpool & Wolverine is a vastly entertaining, incredibly funny, well-oiled machine that feels oddly fresh, especially considering the Marvel track record on both television and at cinemas. It’s a solid story with a fairly airtight script and a perfect pace that wastes no time. The comedic highs are just as powerful as the dramatic highs, perhaps even more so than its predecessors. The big draw, which was wisely marketed months and months ahead of time, is seeing Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman back in their familiar roles, and how they play off of each other. I’m happy to say it doesn’t go well at first. Look no further than when the two have a drawn-out, violent, blood-soaked fight within the cramped confines of a Honda Odyssey just how unapologetically brutal this film can be when given the chance. It’s so over the top that it’s funny, never mind Deadpool’s constant fourth wall-breaking antics and hilarious quips and asides.
On the other hand, Deadpool & Wolverine has an additional layer of depth to it, particularly in the idea that rejected and loser-type characters that most deem to be nothing more than narrative pariahs can be of value. It’s nothing particularly new under the sun, but the performances are so good and the editors slow down to examine the characters enough that it carries an awful lot of weight, which in a film that’s essentially a meta action comedy, is sorely needed. And though Cassandra Nova as a villain feels more like a distraction at times than a genuine threat, the rest of the focus is on events and characters from the second half of the film, hence the spoilers. It need not be gotten into here, but how the story handles dealing with characters who have been left behind and offers them a new lease on their existence ties into the overall theme of the film. It’s effective stuff, on top of the gut-busting one-liners, non sequiturs, and most of all, jabs at everything about the MCU, Disney, and 20th Century Fox. Nothing is out of bounds.
Some might say that despite Deadpool & Wolverine’s reliance on going against the grain and shaking things up at Marvel, it feels somewhat safe given its corporate parameters. Others might argue that even if that were to be the case, which it isn’t, this is definitely the energetic shot in the arm that this franchise needed after wading through one mediocre to poor project after another. It also handles the multiverse in a way that’s actually beneficial to the characters, rather than using it as a means of showcasing alternate versions of well-known characters for the fans, and not much else. Above all, it’s a slim 128-minute buddy comedy-type dramatic adventure that never feels its length and, despite any minor plot issues, just gets better with repeated viewings.
Deadpool & Wolverine was captured digitally by cinematographer George Richmond in the ARRIRAW codec using Arri Alexa LF and Arri Alexa Mini LF cameras with Panavision Ultra Vista and VA lenses, finished as a 4K Digital Intermediate, and presented in the aspect ratio of 2.39:1. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment debuts the film on 4K Ultra HD straight from its DI source, graded for High Dynamic Range in HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and presented on a dual-layered BD-66 disc. It offers a perfect presentation with a healthy bitrate and high levels of fine detail, much of that thanks to the film’s various locales that offer a visual smorgasbord. From the streets of New York to the interiors of the TVA to the Void itself, it’s a feast for the eyeballs. The HDR grades greatly enhance the color palette, deepening detail and offering thick blacks and perfect contrast. Everything appears stable and clean with nary a leftover digital artifact to found. Even the CGI elements blend well with the live action material. For the record, I have no idea what quality the effects were rendered at, but they appear to be close enough to 4K to mix in well with the rest of the material that surrounds them.
The main audio option is an English Dolby Atmos (7.1 Dolby TrueHD compatible) track that fully supports the various elements and offers immense immersion in the surrounding speakers. Placement and ambient moments are given careful attention, just as much the soundtrack and the music selection, as well as explosions and gunfire, all of which benefit greatly from heavy duty low frequency activity. Dialogue exchanges are clear and precise, as well. There’s virtually nothing worthy of complaint here. This is a powerhouse presentation, top to bottom. Additional audio options include Spanish (Latin) 7.1 Dolby Digital, French (Canadian) 5.1 Dolby Digital, and English Descriptive Audio. Subtitle options include English SDH, French, and Spanish. (The audio and subtitle options on the accompanying Blu-ray are the same aside from the main audio, which is included in English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray.)
The Cinematic Universe Edition of Deadpool & Wolverine on 4K Ultra HD sits in a black Amaray case alongside a 1080p Blu-ray and a Digital Code on a paper insert. Everything is housed in a slipcover replicating the insert artwork. Also available are Deadpool and Wolverine Steelbook cover art variants. Each disc contains the following HD extras on all releases:
DISC ONE: UHD
- Audio Commentary with Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds
DISC TWO: BD
- Audio Commentary with Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds
- Finding Madonna: Making the Oner (6:23)
- Practical Approach: Celebration the Art of Ray Chan (9:44)
- Loose Ends: The Legacy Heroes (10:11)
- Wolverine (6:09)
- Deadpool’s Fun Sack 3 (3:22):
- Dr. Deadpool (1:20)
- Product Review (1:06)
- Wade Is Back (:55)
- Gag Reel (4:39)
- Deleted Scenes (2:17):
- Elevator Ride (:45)
- Do Nothing (:37)
- Daddy’s in Love (:41)
First up is an audio commentary with director Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds. Levy is super hyped to talk about the film and Reynolds chimes with occasional thoughts and details about the making of the film. It’s a very upbeat commentary and they both seem to adore all of the work that went into it, which is no surprise since it appears to have been a very collaborative process. Occasional off-the-cuff remarks are surprisingly left in, including references to the real-world repercussions of the “Marvel Jesus” line, as well as their dealings with Disney after Fox was acquired. There are some brief pauses here and there, but it’s a decent chat between the two that feels a tad less lawyer-controlled than other releases from major studios.
Next are a series of four (somewhat) fluffy featurettes discussing the third act’s single-shot action sequence, paying tribute to the work of the late production designer Raymond Chan, going over the various cameos and surprise appearances in the film, and delving into the why and how of Wolverine’s cinematic return. Some behind the scenes footage and outtakes are present, perhaps even a glimpse of some additional deleted footage, but it’s all far too brief. Participants include director Shawn Levy, actors Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Jennifer Garner, Wesley Snipes, Channing Tatum, Dafne Keen, producer Kevin Feige, co-writer Zeb Wells, editors Shane Reid and Dean Zimmerman, second unit director George Cottle, executive producers Mary McLaglen and Wendy Jacobson, special effects chargehand Danny Murphy, and the aforementioned production designer Raymond Chan.
Deadpool’s Fun Sack 3 offers some fun promotional material, including Deadpool and Hugh Jackman discussing testicular cancer awareness, Deadpool reviewing various types of merchandise, and Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman mockingly promoting the 1998 Reynolds-starring Disney film Tourist Trap. The Gag Reel reveals a number of alternate takes and flubs, while the Deleted Scenes, which appear to have been finished specifically for this release, highlight three short moments excised from the final cut. None of them really add much to the film, but we do get a little more time with Peter and B-15, which feels like an after credit scene.
If this is to be the final film in the Deadpool franchise, which I honestly can’t believe it will be, then this is a fitting place for the character to take a break. In any case, Sony’s 4K UHD presentation offers an outstanding presentation with some mostly decent extras, making it an essential purchase for Deadpool and long-time MCU fans. Highly recommended!
- Tim Salmons
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