Review: Is ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ worth watching?



The Marvel Cinematic Universe has all but ruined its name with the string of insufferably woke movies it’s produced in the last few years.

Lauren Chen has pulled no punches when it comes to roasting the franchise for its in-your-face progressive agenda in films such as "The Fantastic Four," "Madame Web," "The Marvels," and "Echo."

But “Deadpool & Wolverine,” starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, may have just broken the curse.

“This is a very good movie,” says Lauren.

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And even though the film hops around the multiverse — which Lauren says is a plotline Marvel has “overplayed” — “Deadpool and Wolverine” is nonetheless “a very fun sequence.”

As for the two main characters, “they play off of each other very well,” says Lauren, adding that the fact that Reynolds and Jackman are friends in real life shines through the interactions between their characters.

Another fun part of the movie is the numerous superhero cameos — all of which are played by well-known celebrities, such as Jennifer Garner, Channing Tatum, Wesley Snipes, Chris Evans, and Blake Lively.

However, that’s not to say the film is without its flaws.

For example, the “tongue-in-cheek comedy” that characterizes Deadpool films is a bit overdone, according to Lauren.

“More isn’t always more,” she says, adding that “some of the fourth wall breaking, some of the snarkiness ... did kind of feel like too much.”

As for Cassandra Nova’s character, played by Emma Corrin, Lauren was pleasantly surprised. Initially, she was disappointed in the casting choice because she couldn’t picture Corrin coming across as a menacing villain, but the actress delivered in appearing “unhinged” and “creepy.”

“By the end of it, I was genuinely disappointed that [Corrin’s character] wasn't a bigger part of this film,” she says, noting that Nova would have made a better antagonist than Paradox, who was “needlessly evil” and had vague motivations.

Paradoxically, one of the best things about “Deadpool & Wolverine” also happens to be its most limiting feature — and that is its unmitigated fan service.

Not only is the film chock full of “fun references” to other Marvel superheroes, but it also includes references to “superhero films spanning the past 20 years.” This aspect of the film is certain to thrill longtime superhero movie watchers. However, the cameos could easily alienate younger generations, who haven’t been alive long enough to see all the movies, and “normies” who just don’t watch superhero movies that often.

These people are “going to miss a lot of what's happening because they just haven't seen these other films,” says Lauren.

To hear more of Lauren’s review (spoilers included), watch the clip above.

Want more from Lauren Chen?

To enjoy more of Lauren’s pro-liberty, pro-logic, and pro-market commentary on social and political issues, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

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'Echo' tops of the list of worst Marvel productions yet



Marvel’s latest TV mini-series, “Echo,” just dropped on Disney+ last week, and it’s already making waves, which isn’t that surprising when you consider Marvel’s downward spiral into wokeness.

The series revolves around Maya Lopez – an indigenous, deaf female amputee – who becomes Kingpin’s top hit man.

“I guess [Kingpin is] like really into DEI,” mocks Lauren.

“If the obvious ESG push behind the show wasn't enough to just kind of give you pause,” she explains, there have also been “reports of production issues as well as Disney being so unhappy with the final product that they even considered not releasing the show at all and instead just taking the loss as a tax credit.”

“I've watched it,” Lauren admits, and “I've got to say, if I were Disney, I probably would have taken the tax credit.”

After a series of tragic life events, Maya ends up working for her father’s mob boss, Kingpin, in order to avenge his gruesome death. Given that Maya is Kingpin’s muscle, she’s doubly disabled, and the fact that this is a Marvel production, one would think Maya must have incredible superpowers.

But no. Maya’s vague superpower is that she can connect with her ancestors’ abilities when she finds herself in dire situations. This strange supernatural gift was a drastic diversion from Maya’s original powers in the comic books, however.

“The director behind the show was very clear that she believed Echo’s comic book powers were ‘lame,”’ explains Lauren, admitting that she’s “still not 100% sure what [Echo’s powers] exactly are” in the TV adaptation.

“Essentially Echo’s powers in this series equate to her maybe having had an energy drink. … Sis had a Red Bull, so she's a little more focused, a little more confident,” she criticizes, adding that it’s clear that the writers and producers “didn't want to make a Marvel series; they wanted to make a series focusing on disabled people or the Choctaw nation.”

According to Lauren, Maya’s powers were so vague and underdeveloped that “if you were to remove [them] entirely from the plot, the show could still happen and basically remain unchanged.”

But that’s just the beginning of the long list of complaints audience members had about “Echo.”

In addition to Maya’s character being “very unlikable,” viewers expressed frustration with the pacing of the series, confusing plot twists, and cringeworthy scenes, including one featuring a “70-year-old Native American grandmother beating up mobsters.”

To hear Lauren’s full review of “Echo,” watch the video below.


Want more from Lauren Chen?

To enjoy more of Lauren’s pro-liberty, pro-logic, and pro-market commentary on social and political issues, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

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'Creed III' actor Jonathan Majors arrested; allegedly strangled girlfriend



Jonathan Majors was handcuffed and arrested Saturday morning in Manhattan after allegedly assaulting a woman believed to be his girlfriend, TMZ and other outlets reported.

"Officers placed the 33-year-old male into custody without incident. The victim sustained minor injuries to her head and neck and was removed to an area hospital in stable condition," a New York City Police Department spokesperson told National Public Radio in a statement.

Majors, 33, was arrested on charges of strangulation, assault and harassment in connection with a domestic dispute with a 30-year-old woman, the Associated Press reported.

Majors denied wrongdoing via his representative.

"He's done nothing wrong. We look forward to clearing his name and clearing this up," Carrie Gordon, a representative for Majors, told NPR.

Police received the call for service around 11 a.m. near Chelsea, a neighborhood in Manhattan.

"The victim informed police she was assaulted," according to an NYPD statement acquired by The Hollywood Reporter.

The incident was spurred by an argument that began in a taxi as the couple was returning from a bar in Brooklyn, according to TMZ's law enforcement sources.

The assault victim, who is thought to be Majors' girlfriend, reportedly confronted Majors after she saw another woman texting him. An angry Majors then allegedly grabbed her hand and slapped her, according to TMZ's sources.

In addition to the alleged slap and hand grab, Majors also allegedly put his hands around her neck. The pair spent the evening apart, and then then the girlfriend called to report the alleged crime Saturday morning.

The victim's visible injuries included a "laceration behind her ear, redness and marks to her face," TMZ's sources also said.

Majors, a fast-rising, in-demand Hollywood standout, recently starred in Michael B. Jordan's "Creed III" as antagonist character Damian Anderson. Majors described their partnership as an analog of "De Niro and Pacino."

Jordan and Majors supported actor Angela Basset earlier this month at the Oscars when the prize for best supporting actress went to Jamie Lee Curtis. "Hey Auntie. We love you," the pair said, as they took the stage to present an award for a separate category.

Majors also recently starred in "Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania" from Marvel Cinematic Universe. In that film, Majors plays villain Kang the Conqueror.

Other notable credits include "Magazine Dreams," "Devotion," "The Harder They Fall," "Lovecraft Country," and "Da 5 Bloods."

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