It’s finally here. After a six-year hiatus following Deadpool 2 and five years post-Disney’s acquisition of Fox, Deadpool & Wolverine debuts in theaters this week, bringing with it a whirlwind of early excitement and leaked surprises.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Deadpool has not been sanitized for Disney. He remains the same crude, violent anti-hero from the previous films, complete with his signature inappropriate humor, meta jokes, and boundary-pushing antics as he goes about dispatching foes.
Hugh Jackman returns as Wolverine, but this iteration leans more towards the gritty Logan rather than the more restrained X-Men version. This Wolverine is equally as unrestrained with his violence and language as Deadpool. For fans of the Fox Marvel universe, this film feels like their version of Spider-Man: No Way Home.
So, is it any good? For the most part, yes. Deadpool & Wolverine offers two hours of pure entertainment, serving up fan service as a summer blockbuster. It might not be flawless and may not hold up to repeated viewings, but it certainly entertains in the moment.
(We’ll keep this review spoiler-free and won’t assume you’ve seen every trailer and TV spot.)
Six years after Deadpool 2, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is living a mundane life as a car salesman with the revived Peter (Rob Delaney). Despite pretending to be content, he’s surrounded by his friends, including ex Vanessa (Morena Baccarin).
Then TVA agent Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) disrupts Wade’s ordinary life. The only person who might help with this existential dilemma is Wolverine, provided Wade can convince him to join the cause.
We won’t spoil the details of their partnership, though it’s revealed early in Deadpool & Wolverine. While you might expect further twists as the movie progresses, the real surprises are who the duo encounters during their journey.
If you’re hoping for a deep, complex plot with MCU-wide repercussions, you might be let down. Instead, the movie remains focused on honoring the Fox Marvel universe, keeping stakes low like the previous Deadpool films.
Deadpool & Wolverine : Gags, Cameos, and Meta Humor
The expanded MCU does provide more targets for Deadpool’s satire. Deadpool & Wolverine is packed with hilarious digs at the MCU, including its multiverse ambitions and supposed failures.
While not every joke lands, there are plenty that do. How well they’ll hold up over time, especially with pop-culture references that may quickly age, remains to be seen. The film’s meta-commentary on filmmaking is particularly sharp.
Even though Marvel has spoiled some of the big surprises, there are still moments that catch you off guard. The film doesn’t drown in cameos, but those that do appear are sure to elicit cheers from Marvel enthusiasts, showcasing impressive restraint in keeping some secrets.
A surprising aspect is how much of the film centers on Wolverine as much as Deadpool. Hugh Jackman, despite his familiar portrayal, continues to captivate with strong chemistry alongside Ryan Reynolds. The unrestrained approach of both characters results in some intense action scenes, though one battle is overly reliant on CGI. A standout moment is a sequence shot in the style of a side-scrolling video game, showcasing its bloody brilliance.
Cassandra Nova’s role adds a chilling element, even in a Deadpool film. Emma Corrin, while not given as much screen time as one might hope, still leaves a mark with her portrayal of the character.
Final Thoughts
In comparison to recent MCU team-ups, Deadpool & Wolverine has a brisk runtime and moves quickly, so you might not notice the final act until you’re in it. The underwhelming conclusion, with its typical MCU MacGuffin and timeline confusion, is somewhat redeemed by a well-placed use of “Like A Prayer” and a touch of emotional resonance for fans of the characters.
Whether the film will hold up over time is uncertain, as it primarily serves fan service. If you were expecting more depth, you might be disappointed, but Deadpool & Wolverine embraces its role as fan service with unapologetic flair.
