By Disney pulls no punches with this one. Kevin Feige and Marvel trusted the creatives with Deadpool’s latest outing, and it paid off big-time.
Deadpool & Wolverine is the third film in the Deadpool franchise and the character’s highly-anticipated introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The movie successfully combines rated-R humor, action, and violence with plenty of heart, giving the MCU the shot of adrenaline it so desperately needs in a post-Endgame world.
The story follows Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), who is struggling in his relationship with Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) and searching for a purpose in life. After being turned down by the Avengers, Wade takes on a mundane job as a used car salesman with his friend Peter (Rob Delaney). His world is turned upside-down when he is kidnapped by the Time Variance Authority (TVA), instructed by Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen), which needs Deadpool to help with the sacred timeline. Unfortunately for Wade, this requires him to leave his current life behind – along with the people he loves. Without spoiling too much of the plot, Wade must find Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), and together they embark on a mission to save both their worlds.
As the first R-rated movie in the MCU, Deadpool & Wolverine does not hold back. It features gory violence, explicit language, and adult humor – staying true to the essence of the Deadpool character. The bold choice not to turn the movie into a PG-13 rating to sell more tickets will ultimately pay off big time – ensuring the movie is authentic and engaging for fans of the franchise. The hard R-rating offers a refreshing change from the typical superhero movie formula we’ve grown accustomed to.
Ryan Reynolds once again proves he is the perfect (and only) choice for Deadpool. His comedic timing and ability to break the fourth wall never fails, along with his never-ending supply of charisma. Thinking back to his misguided role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, it’s amazing Reynolds has come this far with the character – and it’s fantastic that he was given the chance to prove he was the man for the job. Uncensored and unrestrained, poking fun at Disney and the MCU in true Deadpool meta fashion, this is his funniest outing yet as the “merc with a mouth.”
The significance of Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine is not to be understated. After hanging up his claws following the masterpiece of superhero filmmaking that is Logan, the actor said he was done. But seeing the Deadpool movies and wanting a chance to work with his friend once again, he was convinced to give it another go – and we are all lucky he was given the chance. Jackman brings his signature intensity and depth to the role, balancing the humor with the emotional weight of the character. And the chemistry between Reynolds and Jackman is what makes the movie, proving the two of them are a winning combination. I’d be happy for them to keep making movies together forever.
Both Matthew Macfadyen (recently celebrated for his delightfully smarmy role as Tom Wambsgans in HBO’s Succession), and Emma Corrin deliver on creating conflict for the main characters of the film. Without giving too much away, I’ll say that Corrin has some really sinister and creepy scenes that will make your skin crawl.
Director Shawn Levy, known for his collaborations with Reynolds, skillfully handles the movie’s blend of action, comedy, and heart. His ability to balance brutal action scenes with quieter, more emotional moments demonstrates he is more than capable of delivering a major MCU project. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is asked to return for another film in the universe, and would be a no-brainer to return for the next Deadpool movie.
The movie’s meta-humor and non-stop jokes are hilarious, and I honestly couldn’t believe how far they were willing to go with some of them (to their credit). Even though Marvel mastermind Kevin Feige said they were going to own the R-rating, I still had my doubts that Disney would let them go all out. And boy, was I wrong. The completely unfiltered humor is a highlight of the film that does not disappoint, and had the audience laughing non-stop from beginning to end.
On the sentimental side, Deadpool & Wolverine also serves as a tribute and goodbye to the Fox Marvel universe, which essentially blipped when Disney bought 20th Century Fox. Numerous cameos and surprises will delight long-time fans of those movies – some of them completely unexpected. The movie does a great job of paying homage to the past while paving the way for the future of the MCU.
Deadpool & Wolverine injects much-needed excitement and creativity into an MCU that has been limping along in Phase 4. It is an action-packed and endlessly entertaining movie that offers something for both hardcore fans of the character, as well as MCU fans who are just looking for something fresh. With its blend of humor, action, and heart, and pitch-perfect performances from Reynolds and Jackman, Deadpool & Wolverine makes for a memorable and welcomed addition to the Marvel universe.
A
