Synopsis
Wolverine recovers from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth, Deadpool, who has traveled back in time to heal him in hopes of becoming friends and teaming up to defeat a common enemy.
NB: The image comparisons (.jpg compression, 8-bit) are strictly for illustrative purposes and are not representative of what the Ultra HD Blu-ray will broadcast on your calibrated UHD HDR screen.
In order to highlight the concrete use of Wide Color Gamut (WCG) on this edition (see tutorial here), the pixels which are located in the standard/BT.709 range (confined inside the small triangle REC.709) are presented to you here fully desaturated. Conversely, those part of the expanded BT.2020 range, exclusive to the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc (which extend outside the small triangle REC.709) are presented to you in color:
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In the mists of an ever-expanding cinematic universe, where the shadows of past heroes mingle with the flashes of new legends, emerges Deadpool & Wolverinea separate work, a bit like an old dingy bar where the regulars get together to remake the world by slapping each other on the stomach. This isn’t your typical superhero story—no, it’s way more twisted than that. It’s a forced encounter, like two drunks fighting over the last beer, between Deadpool, the mercenary with the sharp tongue, and Wolverine, the old wolf with sharp claws. Two damaged souls, two paths that collide in a whirlwind of dubious valves, fights and a strange form of redemption.
The atmosphere of this film could be compared to a deserted country road, where night has fallen and car headlights cut through the thick fog. There is a biting irony, a limitless self-deprecation, a tenacious desire not to take oneself seriously. Deadpool, with his sometimes heavy humor, shamelessly breaks the fourth wall, like a kid who makes faces to amuse the gallery, while Wolverine, the badly polished bear, drags his regrets like a bag of stones. But deep down, he’s looking for a way to right the wrongs of the past.
The mythology of Deadpool & Wolverine takes root in a sprawling multiverse, where the Court of Anachronistic Variations (TVA) acts as a sort of time police, monitoring each timeline to prevent chaos. It is in this temporal mess that Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, finds himself embroiled in a mess that goes beyond his own concerns as a car salesman. After briefly enjoying a sweet retirement, he is once again plunged into action, forced to team up with a jaded and disillusioned Wolverine, a version from a universe where he lost everything. Together, these two will have to face a threat that endangers their own world, a threat embodied by the mysterious Cassandra Nova, determined to wreak havoc.
The humor of Deadpool & Wolverine oscillates between sharp irony and gritty. Deadpool speaks directly to the audience, adding a layer of meta-humor that is sometimes brilliant, sometimes redundant. The sexual jokes and self-referential references to the MCU or the production of the film are divisive: exhilarating for some, boring for others. The fan service, while abundant, strikes a balance between nostalgia and knowing winks.
Despite its imperfections, the film manages to offer a unique adventure, mixing dark humor, frantic action and sincere emotions. It’s a journey through the workings of the multiverse, an ode to the marginalized who are still searching for their place in a chaotic world.
Video Quality
Like many other Marvel titles, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) was filmed using digital cameras. Cinematographer George Richmond used Arri Alexa LF and Arri Alexa Mini LF cameras. Everything was finalized in 4K and at a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. This French edition is based on a BD-66 disc, with 60.32 GB of space actually used. The film is presented in HDR10 and Dolby Vision (here DV-FEL, 12-bit).
It’s difficult to ignore the digital origin of this recording. In Blu-ray as in UHD, the images remain clinically clear and have an overall fluidity that is difficult to overlook. With a very slight noise which textures the images in the background and above all a fairly exemplary overall definition. Images enriched with contemporary CGI effects and which integrate very well with the environments crossed and the real action: from the first scenes in North Dakota where Deadpool digs up Logan’s corpse, from the TVA premises, right down to the frame realistic urban streets of New York. In UHD, the contribution in definition remains generally anecdotal on this title. The attentive eye will be able to perceive a slight refinement in the textures of the characters’ costumes: the honeycomb weave of Deadpool’s tunic in particular which stands out with a little more sharpness. But the gap is never staggering. HEVC video compression works without any problems.
And HDR, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) maintains a still very conservative approach with an average light peak measured at only 141 nits. Compared to the SDR version, the differences are also quite subtle. There are still a few contexts where intensified highlights play their role: the pub scenes where we see a small Wolverine, the reflections on vehicles and metal surfaces, and the elements incorporating flames and projected fluids. Outdoor scenes (especially in the “Nothingness” zone with its Mad Max atmosphere) appear brighter in HDR. In Wide Color Gamut, the overflows of colors also remain punctual and very localized: the reds and yellows of the costumes of the two protagonists in particular. No absolute demonstration therefore. Rather a coherent visual rendering.
Audio Quality
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) can be discovered in the original Dolby Atmos version, offering a clearly entertaining sound experience. The mix is distinguished by great creativity in the positioning of effects and judicious use of the upper Atmos channels. Sounds of sharp and cutting blades, roars of motorcycle engines, and multiple combat impacts follow one another at a frantic pace. In Dolby Atmos, the verticality of the mixing is brilliantly illustrated, particularly during the episode of the Human Torch andAlioth. These scenes stand out with truly immersive sound effects, mixing strong winds and whirlwinds. The clicking and whistling sounds of weapons, especially during combat, are remarkably accurate. Some concrete examples are presented to you in binaural reproduction in our traditional video. Action scenes are frequently synchronized with carefully selected pop songs to create both comedic and dynamic effect. Music plays a central role here, both driving the action and key element of the setting.
The original version is reproduced in Dolby Atmos, core TrueHD 7.1 (5218 kbps, sous 24-bit, DN -27). The Loudness Range (LRA) indicator was measured at 22.4 (LU). We find the French version in an intermediate format: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 (896 kbps).
Bonus
– Audio commentary by Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds
– On Madonna: the ultimate plan
– Real or Nothing: Homage to the art of Ray Chan
– For all intents and purposes: Legacy Heroes
– Wolverine
– La hotte de deadpool hohoho 3
– Bloopers
– 3 deleted scenes
Conclusion
The gain in definition is not spectacular and the HDR/WCG does not impress too much. Yet, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) remains an undeniable success. Home cinema enthusiasts will be won over by the image quality, whatever the version, and by an entertaining Atmos sound track, reserved for the 4K UHD disc.
