MPAA Rating: R/Genre: Superhero/Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Aaron Stanford, Matthew Macfadyen, Karan Soni, Brianna Hildebrand, Shioli Kutsuna, Randal Reeder, Lewis Tan; Voice of: Stefan Kapičić….and a whole bunch of surprises/Runtime: 128 minutes
It might surprise some of you out there to learn this, but back a million and 10 years ago when I was in that rather distinct time of one’s life known as “childhood” I was a fairly decent size fan of comic books regardless of if they had the label of Marvel or DC on it (just in case you were about to ask me which company I prefer more). Yet while my mom was behind my love of Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Batman, my dear ol’ dad…..well let’s just say he wasn’t exactly aware of a lovely little thing in media called “age limits”. Perhaps this is why it was him who introduced me to such characters as Spawn, Blade, and *surprise surprise* Deadpool. As much as I enjoy all of those characters however, it shouldn’t be too astonishing to learn that I really did find myself drawn (no pun intended) to the last name I listed. I mean not only was his constant ability to break the 4th wall a rather unique aspect that really distinguished him from other comic book heroes I had read up to that point in time, but his gleefully odd and dark sense of humor proved to be an absolute delight to say nothing of the fact that his adventures also managed to provide me with a more complex character than a lot of the others I was reading thanks in large part to the fact that DP is definitively an anti-hero through and through. Perhaps you can imagine my excitement then back in 2009 when I learned that DP’s alter-ego, one Wade Wilson, was going to be brought into the first Wolverine spin-off movie…..and I’m sure you can just as quickly imagine my (and the fanbase at large’s) more than slight fury when we saw what they did with the character in that film. Suffice it to say then that in the aftermath of that….fiasco being brought to the screen general audiences and comic book fans alike had to wait another 7 long agonizing years before we got another attempt at the character in 2016. An attempt that, incredibly, was not only a genuine delight, but which gave us a 2018 sequel that proved to be just as enjoyable. Then, while waiting for the inevitable 3rd outing, something truly surprising happened when Disney, on a roll with their own Marvel characters, bought out Fox and inherited him plus the X-Men with the goal of bringing them into the MCU proper. Yet even though there was worry about how that would work (seeing as the MCU had been fairly family-friendly and Deadpool is most assuredly not) I can safely say that after seeing what Marvel cooked up for us in the form of this year’s, and film I happen to be reviewing for you today incidentally, Deadpool & Wolverine that the worry was very much unwarranted. Yes it’s by no means perfect, but with the aid of fairly solid work on both sides of the camera DP&W is definitely a witty, enjoyable, and even heartfelt joy that fans of the MCU and the character should enjoy in equal measure.
The plot is as follows: Following a prologue that you have to see to believe, Deadpool & Wolverine gets underway in a rather unusual place for our red spandex-rockin’ Merc with a Mouth. That being no longer in operation (gasp!) It seems that, following his misadventures with Cable’s time travel thingy which were played out for us during the end of the 2nd Deadpool movie back in 2018, DP decided to go on one other particular excursion. That being to travel from his universe of Earth-10005 to the Earth of the MCU (or Earth 616 if you prefer) in order to try and earn a spot with no less a team than The Avengers (dun dun dun dun!!). Unfortunately for him, that particular interview didn’t exactly go as planned and our hero returned back to his universe a broken individual. 6 years later and we see that not only does Wade (still feeling the sting from that particular rejection) no longer operate as his masked mercenary alter-ego, but he has also broken up with his girlfriend Vanessa and now works as a used-car salesman with his buddy, and former teammate from the 2nd film, Peter. As it is dear reader, it looks like it’s going to take something incredibly drastic to break our favorite 4th wall breaker out of what seems like the worst handling of rejection since Romeo endlessly whining about Rosaline at the beginning of Romeo & Juliet. Thankfully, we see that it isn’t long before such an intervention presents itself when, during his birthday party, we see that Wade is snatched up by agents of a familiar (to those who’ve seen the Disney+ show Loki) organization known as the Time Variance Authority (or TVA for short) who take him to the senior agent on duty, a Mr. Paradox who has some interesting news for our hero. It seems that, for some unexplained reason, Wade has been chosen to transition over from his Earth to the Earth of the MCU (how meta). At the same though, while he has been chosen to make the leap the same sadly cannot be said for his universe (and the people he loves/cares about in said universe). Rather, they are all destined to be wiped away due to the fact that the universe’s anchor being (3 guesses and the first 2 don’t count as to who in the world that could be) has in the past few years passed on. Yet instead of just letting the universe naturally slowly and eventually die out as is the case, we see that Paradox has a different agenda. Namely he is prepared to utilize a device known as a “Time Ripper” in order to speed up the process. Not having any of this, we soon see that Deadpool decides to embark on a little mission of his own. One that will see him try to find a variant of his universe’s anchor being that he can persuade to aid him in stopping Paradox’s dire scheme before all that he knows is lost for good. As to if he is successful or not that I will let you discover for yourself….
Now right off the remains of the 4th wall, it should be said that the work done by the various teams operating behind the camera on this particular slice of superhero cinema (whilst not flawless by any means of the imagination) is most assuredly still incredibly well-done across the board. Without a doubt in my mind, this starts with the work done by Shawn Levy (Real Steel from 2011, the first 3 live-action Night at the Museum movies, and 2021’s Free Guy among others) and this is definitely one of his better efforts. Indeed there are several things which really help to distinguish the work that Levy is able to bring to the table here. The first is that Levy is a director who is blessed with a fantastic gift for effectively bringing to his films including this one an equal amount of comedy and pathos to the narrative at their core. As a result, not only does this make this movie one that is incredibly engaging, but it also results in a film that is also quite poignant and even heart-string tugging at points as well. Along with that, Levy is also a director who is quite successful at ensuring that the characters he is working with are all authentic and three-dimensional. As a result, not only does this permit you to become invested in the characters themselves, but also in the journeys that each of them go on during the story as well. In addition to the work done by Levy at the helm, this slice of cinema also contains a fairly well-written screenplay as penned by no less than a quintet of writers (franchise star Ryan Reynolds among them). Yes the exposition and plot that this film is operating with can be hit or miss at times, but overall the script still does deliver where it counts namely in regards to both the comedy which is still just as genuinely funny as ever and in the performances with the cast definitely giving it their all (more on them later though). Besides the work done by the aforementioned departments, this slice of cinema is also the blessed recipient of some truly top-flight work from George Richmond (the first 2 Kingsman movies from 2014 and 2017 plus Rocketman from 2019 among others) in the cinematography department. Yes there might be a moment here and there where it does feel a bit off, but overall Richmond does a wonderful job of both giving us a collection of truly eclectic yet undeniably beautiful to look at settings and kinetically engaging action beats for the film to play out in whilst also ensuring that there is a wonderful degree of visual consistency present to the film overall as well. Lastly, I feel like this section would be woefully underdeveloped if I didn’t devote some time in it to talk about the work done by Rob Simonsen (Ghostbusters: Afterlife, 2018’s The Front Runner, and 2022’s The Whale) on this slice of cinema’s musical accompaniment. Indeed not only is the score refreshingly creative from some of the others audiences have been treated to in the past to say nothing of one that does an excellent job at fitting in with the story being told, but it also does a more than effective job at reinforcing the comedy, action, and moments of pathos that are on display for audiences throughout the film’s runtime respectively. Suffice it to say that when you also throw into this delightful mix skilled work from the editing department as headed by both Dean Zimmerman and Shane Reid respectively among others it’s clear that this slice of cinema is definitely a treat in practically every way possible and the work done by the aforementioned departments behind the camera definitely go quite aways toward making that possible for this slice of cinema to achieve.
Now alongside the more than capable work done by the various units operating behind the camera, this slice of superhero cinema is also aided quite immensely courtesy of a collection of performances in front of the camera by a fairly impeccable line up of talent that all manage to do a wonderful job with the material that they are given to play with here despite some getting a heck of a lot more than others. Without a doubt in my mind, this starts with Ryan Reynolds as the first titular character and (big shocker coming up here) he is an absolute blast from start to finish. Indeed, much as with his first two solo outings, we see that Reynolds does a pitch-perfect job as this character especially when taking into account not only his distinctly snarky sense of humor, but also his fast-talking motor-mouthed style. At the same time though, we also see that Reynolds is able to beautifully bring a fair bit of pathos into the mix as well courtesy of Deadpool’s desire to not only be more than what he is, but also his fear about losing everyone he cares about. Suffice it to say that at this point Ryan Reynolds IS Deadpool through and through and with him being at long last brought into the MCU proper I can’t wait to see just where the powers that be take him next. As delightful as Reynolds is here, he is matched incredibly well by Hugh Jackman who is phenomenal here in his return to the role that made him a household name in the first place. Yes, there’s not a lot I can say about Wolverine’s return here due to fear of that infamous cinematic phenomenon known as spoilers. With that in mind though, I can promise you that not only does the film honor the absolutely mesmerizing work Jackman did as the character in 2017’s Logan, but this is definitely an incredible turn in its own right. Not just because of the new and exciting dimensions from both a comedic and an emotional perspective that Jackman is able to find and utilize with the character, but also because in more ways than one this definitely feels less like the Wolverine we as movie goers have seen since the first X-Men movie in 2000 and more like the one from both the comics and the animated show from the 90s respectively. Suffice it to say that it is clear beyond any and all doubt that both Reynolds and Jackman care the world about these characters and it is because of that that they are able to give no less than 110% here. Alongside the truly engaging work done by Reynolds and Jackman, the film also gives them a pair of intriguing foils to deal with in the form of Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen as Cassandra Nova and Mr. Paradox respectively. In regards to the former, we see that Corrin (despite a lack of substantive material) does a skilled job at giving us a character who is terrifying and also someone who can push our characters to their limits on both a physical and psychological level. As for the latter, we see that Macfadyen is delightful as a guy who is very much a dangerously manipulative schemer yet is also someone who is consistently (and hilariously) getting exasperated by the antics of our two main characters. Suffice it to say that when you also factor into the mix from such talented individuals as….you know honestly I think this is one time where the less I write down here the better, it’s clear beyond all imagining that this slice of cinema might have a few hiccups here and there scattered about, but thankfully the work done by the genuinely superheroic cast of talent in front of the camera is most assuredly by no stretch of the imagination one of them.
All in all and at the end of the day is Deadpool & Wolverine a perfect and flawlessly executed in every way possible (both in this universe and all the others in the vast and seemingly infinite multiverse) slice of superhero cinema? Honestly, and as much as I would love to say that it is, I am afraid that is not the case. With that in mind however, is this the worst slice of cinema that anyone involved in bringing this film to life be they in front of or behind the camera has ever made in their respective careers? Thankfully, and more than just a wee bit happily, I can confirm for you that is not the case either though if you think that then I also think a discussion is very much in order. All sarcasm aside dear reader, it should be pointed out that this movie does have a few distinct potholes along its particular path. Potholes that not only take the shape of not every character getting as much in terms of narrative substance to work with to say nothing of the blue-screen CGI being at times noticeable and thereby taking you as the viewer out of the movie, but also the fact that the movie does seem to be at points disinterested in really going anywhere with the plot plus the exposition being a bit on the clunky side. Should you find yourself able to get past those particular issues however, then I promise that you will find more than a fair bit to enjoy here as well. Indeed the work done at the helm is fairly well done, the script (despite the previous issues) does deliver more than a fair degree of both heart and laughs that more often than not stick the landing the way that we’ve come to expect from this particular character’s films, the cinematography is undeniably skilled, the score is genuinely creative, the action beats are fun and visceral in the best way possible, and the performances (especially the ones provided by Reynolds and Jackman) are a sheer delight with everyone involved looking they are having an absolute blast with their respective characters. Suffice it to say then that it might not be the next Avengers: Endgame by any means, but at the same Deadpool & Wolverine is definitely one slice of superhero cinema that manages to be not only one that comic book fans have been waiting a long time to see on the big screen, but also one that I promise you will enjoy watching time and time again. Make of that what thou will dear reader and remember: Maximum Effort! On a scale of 1-5 I give Deadpool & Wolverine “2024” a solid 4 out of 5.
