Deadpool & Wolverine

Deadpool is a character that I have personally outgrown in the last few years. I don’t have a problem with the character and I do still enjoy the two prior Deadpool films, but the style of humour is not for me anymore. Its puerile form of comedy certainly appealed to me as a 14-year-old, but now that I’m in my 20s, it just doesn’t work for me anymore. That being said, I was looking forward to this film. The MCU’s output as of late (especially the work released in 2023) felt like a sign that the franchise has begun treading water and its head creatives don’t have a clear idea of what story they want to tell going forward. Regardless of your feelings on the Infinity Saga, it was evident that there was a set plan and a grand finale that was being built towards. Meanwhile, this current saga has been an absolute mess. There have been several films and TV series that have felt largely inconsequential to the overall arc. And that’s not even mentioning the colossal mistake of setting up Jonathan Majors as the new central villain! 

After these dire circumstances, Deadpool & Wolverine became built up as a massive deal that would majorly affect the future of the MCU. Even Deadpool is aware of this significance, frequently referring to himself as Marvel Jesus. While I don’t believe this film quite earned the MCU-saving hype it obtained, I still definitely enjoyed it. Yes, the writing has noticeable flaws, the direction is unremarkable, and the humour remains painfully childish at ponts. Yet I was able to overlook these issues, sit back, and enjoy the ride this film was taking me on. Deadpool & Wolverine isn’t necessarily reinventing the wheel in any massive way. At its core, this film is a road trip with some added multiverse shenanigans. To be honest, that was one of its major selling points for me. Deadpool and Wolverine going on a road trip together, saying funny lines, and running into a handful of cameos along the way sounded like a delightful time at the movies. And indeed it was! 

Ryan Reynolds is an actor whose shtick has worn very thin over the years. He has reached the point where he essentially plays himself in everything that he appears in, and I have reached the point where I am tired of it. However, I can’t deny that he works well as Deadpool and has a clear passion for the character that comes through on screen. 

On the other hand, Hugh Jackman is a phenomenal actor whose casting as Wolverine is amongst one of the best superhero castings we’ve ever gotten. I was worried initially that the film bringing Wolverine back would undo the greatness of Logan and how powerful that ending was. Thankfully, this film not only made sure to not undo that moment but somehow had fun with its finality and got a solid joke out of it. While this is not Jackman’s best performance as Wolverine (that honor goes squarely to Logan), he still slips back into the role as if he never left. He brings his all to this film, and his chemistry with Ryan Reynolds is undeniably entertaining.

The same cannot be said for Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova, the film’s primary antagonist. The film has a solid setup for their character, but Cassandra unfortunately doesn’t feel well-rounded and gets somewhat forgotten at times. The other supporting cast members do a decent enough job, but this film is truly held up by Reynolds and Jackman’s performances. 

As I’m sure you’re aware, there are cameos galore in this film. While I won’t go into them in case you haven’t seen the film yet, I will say that they actually do feel like characters and rather than simple fanservice. Sure, their existence by nature is fanservice, but the characters appearing makes sense within the context of the film and it leads to an odd sort of catharsis that I was not expecting. The film is a charming love letter to the Fox Marvel movies that serves as a sweet final hurrah for those characters. However, not every moment where Deadpool & Wolverine attempts to be poignant succeeds, as some of the execution falls flat despite having great concepts.

The film is at its best when it’s trying to have fun, whether it’s in comedic exchanges or in thrilling action sequences. There are two major action sequences, one near the beginning and one near the end, that are such a blast to watch unfold. While the cinematography for these scenes are a bit flat and the effects are lacking at points, they are nonetheless engaging and kinetic sequences that allow Ryan Reynolds’s personality to shine through. As a whole, this film is bogged down at times with elements that don’t work for me. Yet whenever this happens, several aspects more than make up for it. And though it certainly has issues, I cannot deny how exhilarating Deadpool & Wolverine was as an experience. 

7.5/10