Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) enters the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as he shifts between timelines and teams up with an alternate version of the adamantium-clawed mutant Wolverine (Hugh Jackman).
By no means is Deadpool Marvel Jesus. As Deadpool & Wolverine assert on multiple occasions, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been in a state of disarray since Avengers: Endgame. In this era of superhero fatigue when we tend to agree with the likes of Martin Scorsese, Deadpool was supposed to be the self-proclaimed “Marvel Jesus” who convinces us the MCU is more than just a theme park ride. Sadly, Deadpool & Wolverine doesn’t promise to mark a new wave in this franchise. Reynolds (who also serves as co-writer) is expectedly cheeky in giving the finger to Marvel supremo Kevin Fiege and his billion-dollar empire, relying on the franchise’s usual brand of uncensored meta-comedy and fourth-wall breaking. Even heroes beyond the MCU aren’t spared, be it Henry Cavill or Furiosa or Marvel’s own backlot of Fox-distributed movies from the 2000s.
While most of the jokes enjoy a “superhero landing,” Shawn Levy’s action comedy ultimately suffers from the Marvel curse. This curse shows up in the form of uneven pacing, a muddled-up third act, and, ultimately, an underwritten villain. Emma Corrin shows promise as Professor Charles Xavier’s evil twin, Cassandra Nova, but they are eventually sidelined in the face of the titular heroes’ own bonding and misadventures. The fact that both are gifted with regenerative healing factors (the mother of all plot armor) doesn’t really raise the point of a major threat anyway. So, yes, Deadpool couldn’t flip the script on the MCU with his third outing but maybe the joke is on us if we were expecting Mr. Pool to be Marvel Jesus. It’s best to watch and enjoy the film as a multiversal Deadpool adventure instead of any great MCU reset that the trailers seemed to promise.
Wolverine and the cameos do the heavy lifting. Donning the comic-accurate blue-and-yellow suit, Jackman is back as Wolverine. And while 2017’s Logan still marks the emotional zenith of this character in cinema, Jackman is in full form as Wolverine who hails from another universe but he still bears the guilt, frustration, and alcoholism associated with the Canadian mutant. His monosyllabic grunts along with Deadpool’s perpetual bickering make them an oddly entertaining couple. But some of the supporting cameos also add some unexpected heart to the movie, standing above generic fan service. If you thought Spider-Man: No Way Home brought out the most nostalgic cameos, Deadpool & Wolverine will shock you or even make you teary (especially if you grew up with the pre-MCU Marvel movies).
An inconsistent MCU filler but an emotional sendoff to the Fox Marvel era. Even though Reynolds and co. go overboard with the meta-ness, slow-motion character entries that will make Zack Snyder soaking wet, and some nauseating hand-to-hand combat, the third Deadpool excels as delightfully silly popcorn cinema. The MCU still rests on uneven ground but Deadpool & Wolverine embraces the chaos for an ultimately entertaining team-up.
Despite its usual brand of R-rated meta humor, Deadpool & Wolverine doesn’t bring about a Renaissance to the still-uneven Marvel Cinematic Universe. But for all its rip-roaring fan service and Hugh Jackman’s emotional turn as Wolverine, it’s still a bloody good serving of popcorn cinema.
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