Deadpool & Wolverine Review

     It's been a while since we got to experience a Marvel Cinematic Universe film at the cinema, the last film was The Marvels which released in November 2023. It's fair to say that since Avengers: Endgame (2019), the MCU has seemed a little directionless. This muddled directionless is due in part to stylistic choices, the introduction of numerous characters, the frequent release schedule of Disney+ shows, the loss of the core six and the multiverse. Like me it is likely that many will go into the cinema for Deadpool and Wolverine not knowing what to expect, luckily director Shawn Levy does a wonderful job at exceeding expectations. Providing us with an hilarious, violent and fun film. Deadpool and Wolverine breathes some much-needed new life into the MCU. Read on for my full review...there will be minor spoilers.  First things first, the first two Deadpool films, and all films that Hugh Jackman's Wolverine has appeared in were made by 20th Century Fox, and when Disney acq

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review

When I returned home from the midnight screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi at my local Cineworld,
I found myself wanting see what others thought of the film, to see if their views tallied with my own judgments.
So, I went straight to Google and searched ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review’ clicking on the first result,
and what I read inspired me to write this. What angered me about the review I read relates to the trope
that the prequel Star Wars films are some sort of joke, a stain on the Star Wars legacy. I am a huge fan
off all of the Star Wars films, but I grew up with the prequels, I was introduced to Star Wars through the
prequel trilogy and personally I enjoy them. Yes, they may not be perfect, but I don't really understand
why it has become ‘cool’ to dislike them.  

In the review I read it stated that Star Wars: The Last Jedi makes huge strives to separate itself from the
prequel trilogy however from my viewing experience I disagree. For starters Luke Skywalker (Mark
Hamill) references the events of the prequels. It is a reflective statement on Luke's past and the past of
the Jedi order. If nothing more the prequels offer history to the original films adding depth to the Star
Wars universe. Furthermore, the statement also seems to be some sort of reasoning; Luke using the events of the prequels as a reason for
the Jedi Order to end. This line relies on the viewer having watched the prequels to fully understand Luke's
reasoning. But that's not all, I noticed a great deal of links, even mirroring between Star Wars: The Last Jedi
and Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith. In one sequence Kylo-Ren (Adam Driver) says to Rey
(Daisy Ridley) ‘We can rule the galaxy together’ this is incredibly similar to the line Anakin (Hayden
Christensen) says to Padme (Natalie Portman). ‘The Last Jedi’ also plays with mirroring between
Darth Vader and Kylo-Ren, they both destroy a Jedi temple for example. The shot of Kylo-Ren walking into the rebel
base at the end of the movie is almost the same as the scene when Anakin walks into the Jedi
temple in Revenge of the Sith. This is evidence, the film does not distance itself from the prequels rather it links itself to them, just as it
links itself to the Originals. Furthermore, Kylo-Ren says ‘Let the past die’ repeatedly, to me this line it's not
the films way of saying let's move on from the prequels like some would interpret. Rather it is a way
of saying this is the start of a new generation of Star Wars and we should move on from both the
prequels and the originals.   

The Film itself is split into two parts: absurd and absolutely awesome. The opening works
well, with the ever heroic Poe (Oscar Isaac) taking on more than he can handle. But after the opening
battle the film succumbs to clunky narrative, full of almost unnecessary plots. With the
introduction of far too many new characters and haphazard editing that jumps from one character to the
next at seemingly random moments. Finn (John Boyega) is largely part of this clunky narrative, which
does not allow his character to shine until the end. The introduction of Rose (Kelly Marie Tan) is a
welcome one, she is clever, witty and brave and a great addition to the film. Sadly other characters
such as R2-D2 are given an unsatisfactory amount of screen time which will be disappointing for most.
Luckily the clunky-ness is over within about 30 minutes, I am not saying that these 30 minutes are
unenjoyable, they are backed up by a great dose of Marvel Avengers style humour which is enjoyable
if a little out of place at times. Then the film becomes what I can only describe as AWESOME!
From lightsabre fights, narrative twist after narrative twist to stunning visuals. The Last Jedi finally comes
into its strive. The real surprise of this film is the relationship between Rey and Kylo-Ren, the film
focuses on the complexity of who they are in relation to one another. This relationship takes an
unexpected turn that leads to an unforgettable scene. We are given a look at the softer side of Kylo at points, which is refreshing.
I do not wish to spoil any more of the film all I will say is Luke was not wrong when he said ‘This will
not go the way you think’ in the trailer.  

Overall, I would give Star Wars: The Last Jedi 4 out of  5 stars, simply because I cannot ignore the in
part clunky narrative. However, I will be watching this film time and time again because it truly is
entertaining and a great sequel to The Force Awakens whilst being incredibly original. Hopefully others
will agree with my opinion that the film does not strive to separate itself from the prequels and some day
the stigma towards them may fade.

Please let me know what you think of the prequels and what you
thought of Star Wars The Last Jedi in the comments below.


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