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Deadpool & Wolverine

For months prior to its release, the question surrounding DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE was how the franchise would look now that it was under the Disney umbrella. Would the House of Mouse allow the “merc with a mouth” to spew the same sort of raunchy rhetoric that made the first two films global smashes? Or, would they force Ryan Reynolds and crew to pump the breaks?

As this review goes to print, the third installment of DEADPOOL has grossed $577 million domestically, and is continuing to thrive. If Disney did flex their editorial muscles, I can’t imagine what found its way to the cutting room floor. The film not only has the same tone and feel as its predecessors, it even pokes fun (and then lovingly tributes) its transition to Disney.

If super-hero fatigue is a thing (it is), I’d argue that the multi-verse is downright exhausting. We’ve covered this ground plenty of times before and I won’t spend too much time on it here, but any plot device that allows for the eradication of complete storylines, character arcs and even deaths is unfathomably absurd. Unless, as it turns out, it helps bring back Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Then I guess it’s okay.

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE begins at the location in which Logan (Jackman) met his heartbreaking demise. Deadpool (Reynolds), on the run as always, is about to be apprehended by some heavily armed soldiers, but before they can get their hands on him, he desecrates what remains of Logan, using his adamantium to not only slay his foes, but also absolutely crush his own unique rendition of “Bye, Bye, Bye.” In other hands, the use of an outdated and overused pop song would be insufferable. Here, it gleefully sets the tone of what’s to come.

The plot DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE leans heavy into the multiverse angle and provides very little in the way of originality or intrigue. Plot devices that have already grown tired in the latest installments of DOCTOR STRANGE and ANT-MAN are still uninspiring here. Deadpool, in an effort to save his own timeline, must enlist the services of any iteration of Wolverine that may be willing to help him. You see, whereas Deadpool is just a dude in a suit, Wolverine is a savior.

It’s pretty hard for me to believe that anyone who hasn’t seen DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE and intends to do so has found some miraculous way to steer clear of spoilers, but just in case, I’m not going to lay out any of the major surprises here. What I will say, is the manner in which Reynolds and director Shawn Levy utilize some past familiar faces is spot-on hilarious. Movie nerds will rejoice, and I’m speaking directly from experience in that regard. Many of the bits are clever and fun, and fit perfect within this bonkers franchise.

Humor has always been a huge part of the MCU, but what I love about DEADPOOL is that humor is truly the only thing that matters. The jokes aren’t just rapid-fire, they are straight up machine gun paced. Sure, some miss the mark, but for the most part, they land. The vile and sarcastic comments flowing from behind the mask are as risqué as ever, but if we are three movies in, who is going to purchase a ticket to this movie and actually be offended?If you’ve made it this far, you know what you’re getting into.

The pairing of Reynolds and Jackman is every bit as delightful as you would hope it would be. Their bond is genuine, and lest you believe that Wolverine is merely a sidekick in a Deadpool adventure, I can assure you, he is very much a main character. The two share the screen for much of the film, and though Jackman’s performance in LOGAN will forever remain his greatest achievement, his turn here does nothing to sour that legacy. The anger, fury, and anguish are still there, and his action sequences are spectacular. And, if you are a comic-book nerd on top of being a movie nerd, you’re going to be especially delighted to see what unfolds in the final third of the movie. This is perhaps the greatest achievement of all, because in reality, this movie was for you.