After being stranded in the Fox universe of superhero films, Deadpool and Wolverine (hey, look, it’s the name of the movie) have finally joined the MCU, embarking on a mission to save Deadpool’s universe from extinction by the TVA.
The first Deadpool film excelled in having a simple narrative that allowed all of Wade Wilson’s 4th wall-breaking humour to shine. In contrast, the story of Deadpool & Wolverine is pure chaos from start to finish, but it’s chaos in the best and most entertaining way. The narrative goes in 35 different directions over the course of the film – it always has the same end goal in mind, but the journey to get there is filled with surprises and left turns aplenty. Without going into the specifics of the story, I can say that it’s very well paced, moving at a rapid speed and never losing any sense of momentum. Even when it takes a beat for a character-focused moment, the pause is so brief that the mission always feels like it’s at the forefront of what’s going on. Without going into the bigger-picture implications of the story on the MCU and the multiverse, I will say that it does what the recent MCU releases have failed to do – feel connected to the bigger picture. While it does forge its own story that doesn’t rely on MCU connections, having the impression that it’s part of the wider universe adds weight and stakes to what’s going on.
Speaking of the multiverse, this is something the MCU has largely failed to make use of in any meaningful or exciting way… that is until now. This is the best use of the multiverse by a long shot, so much so that it puts Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to shame. As is to be expected, the film features cameos aplenty, but it uses those iconic cameos really well, treating them like characters as opposed to 5 seconds of fan service. The cameos in question actually have a place in the story, impacting the narrative, action sequences, comedy and heart. While the cameos are incredible and exciting for longtime fans of the superhero genre, there is the possibility that casual fans will feel less of an impact, but there’s just no way to avoid that, so it can’t be a blight on the film.
Being the first Deadpool film under the Disney/MCU banner, the question was raised of just how faithful to the Fox entries it would be. The answer – everything from Fox’s films has been bought over, retained and even doubled down in some instances. The meta 4th wall breaking, gory violence and crude humour is there, and it’s wonderful. As you’d expect from the mind of Ryan Reynolds, his trademark humour is brilliant across the entire film, never missing a beat. Whether it’s in the form of an outrageous dance number, R-rated joke or a not-so-subtle dig at Marvel, the comedic timing is exceptional and it always hits. The best thing about the film is the sheer number of comedic beats that are crammed in – there’s scenes literally filled with back-to-back hilarious moments that had the crowd in stitches the entire time. Just when you’re recovered from one joke, there’s another primed to catch you off-guard. And having seen the film twice, those moments are just as rewarding the second time.
Another mainstay of the Deadpool franchise is the action, and this entry has some of the most fun action sequences of the trilogy thanks to the presence of Wolverine (and others). Bloody violence is a big part of the film from the get-go, kicking off with a brutal opening sequence and upping the stakes as time goes on. There’s an outrageous action sequence that takes place in a car and it’s the highlight of the film, capturing the energy of the franchise perfectly. Thanks to the combination of action and comedy, this movie is pure entertainment from start to finish – an absolute blast and gem within the superhero genre.
As much as the film is focused on delivering that hit of comedy and action, it also has a surprising element of heart weaved neatly into the story. Now it’s not a tear-jerker and it could have gone harder into the heart and emotion, but what they do include works great in upping the stakes. Wolverine’s arc in the film is where the entirety of the emotional storytelling comes from, and it helps make the film feel like “Deadpool & Wolverine” instead of “Deadpool ft. Wolverine”. That’s the key here – while it’s certainly a Deadpool film, Wolverine is much more than just a feature and warrants being part of the title. Part of me wishes Deadpool also had a stronger emotional arc, but the lack of one doesn’t detract from the movie.
Now, on to the performances, where there’s no questioning that Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are phenomenal. Reynolds’ trademark wit will never get old – he embodies the character to a tee exhibits impeccable comedic timing. He gives 110% an is the reason every scene is such a thrill. On the other end, Jackman is ruthless as this version of Wolverine, showing us a side of the character we’ve never seen before and playing very serious opposite Reynolds’ sarcastic nature. The two of them are the perfect Yin and Yang pairing – their chemistry leaps off the screen and every interaction is just perfect.
As far as villains go, there’s two sides of the coin to look at. First off, Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova is the level-headed, more composed villain this film needed. She doesn’t have a tonne of screen time, but she makes a notable impact with the moments in which she is on screen. Nova won’t be one of the more memorable MCU villains, but she served the narrative of this film perfectly, so no complaints on character or performance. Then there’s Mr. Paradox as played by Matthew Macfadyen, who is unfortunately the weakest part of the movie. I don’t believe it’s the fault of Macfayden, as I believe he played the character as directed, it’s just that direction which didn’t work. The character is very loud, whiny and obnoxious, and the attempts at humour there just don’t hit. It feels like the character has been dropped in from another universe entirely and just doesn’t blend with the tone.
In the end, Deadpool & Wolverine sticks the landing and delivers a wildly entertaining end to the trilogy. It’s a much larger film than the first and a much better film than the second – running at a rapid pace, including a tonne of laughs and packing some incredible surprises along the way. Fans of the superhero genre, and especially of the Fox universe of films (RIP), are sure to get a kick from this film as it’s riddled with unforgettable fan service moments that don’t detract from the film’s quality. This may not be the best film of the year, but it is by far the most fun, and it would take a lot for something to come and overtake it in that respect.
9.2/10
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