“Deadpool & Wolverine” enthusiastically embraces its identity as an action comedy, never falling into the trap of trying to seem more touching than a movie based on a comic book can be. It dedicates itself to mocking the many issues within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and tries, and only occasionally fails, to avoid making the same mistakes it hounds the MCU for.
Ryan Reynolds reprises his role as Deadpool for the third time, joined by Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Deadpool, or Wade Wilson, is given the opportunity to achieve his dream of being part of the MCU by Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) from the Time Variance Authority, as long as he allows his home world and all his loved ones to perish. Rather than take the deal, Wilson pairs up with a reluctant Wolverine from a different universe, turning the film into a humorous buddy comedy. Impeded by Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), telepathic supervillain à la X-Men, the pair set out to save the world on a journey where both are eager to rip the other to shreds at the slightest offense.
The comedic chemistry between Ryan Reynolds’ irreverent Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s gruff Wolverine is a gleefully chaotic spectacle. The film highlights their contrasting personalities, with Deadpool’s razor-sharp sarcasm constantly clashing with Wolverine’s no-nonsense brusqueness. Their interactions are a series of quips and exasperated grunts, turning every minor disagreement into a comedic showdown. Reynolds and Jackman play off each other’s quirks with apparent ease, creating a dynamic that’s hilarious, yet strangely endearing. Their banter is the high point of the film, showcasing a unique blend of humor and camaraderie that keeps the audience laughing. As Deadpool pushes Wolverine’s buttons and Wolverine rolls his eyes at Deadpool’s antics, their playful rapport shines through, making their bickering as entertaining as the action sequences.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is riddled with shock-inducing moments. Every few minutes there is a new homage made, cameo featured or joke referenced. While this technique likely achieved its goal, drawing gasps and exclamations of surprise from viewers, it came across as fan service rather than a well-written story. The problem with shoving every reference and character under the sun into one movie is that it leaves little time to dive into the plot, causing it to ultimately fall flat.
Indeed, while there is an overarching “saving the world” storyline, the film consistently ignores its plot in favor of pandering to comic book fans with shock appearances, fourth-wall breaks and crass jokes. Cassandra Nova, who in theory should have been chilling, feels like a caricature and is utterly underutilized. Additionally, the film’s stakes feel far too low: even the central characters do not seem to take the threat to their world seriously. Deadpool and Wolverine both routinely ignore an increasingly short deadline by getting distracted or arguing with each other. The lack of a compelling plot means the film’s sole payoff is the shock value of its Easter eggs.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” met its goal of providing both humor and action — but it lacks the drama element that makes the original MCU movies so appealing to a large audience. Perhaps with a bit more focus on the actual plot, the film could have succeeded in attaining that rewatchable quality rather than becoming only a one-time laugh.
The film follows in the footsteps of the first two “Deadpool” movies by featuring an iconic soundtrack. The music mirrors the movie’s theme with a selection of memorable hits from the past, including Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” and NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.” These nostalgic tracks effortlessly complement the appearance of various familiar faces throughout the film, reflecting the eras of their original Hollywood debuts.
The film’s charm lies in its playful humor, nostalgic soundtrack and electric chemistry between Reynolds and Jackman. However, its heavy reliance on fan pandering and frequent homages to past characters and moments often overshadow its plot, leaving it feeling more like a series of clever references than a cohesive story. If you can overlook the absence of a compelling plot and have the background knowledge to understand the multitude of references to MCU films past, “Deadpool & Wolverine” promises plenty of laughs and action, making it a worthwhile watch for action enthusiasts, long-time comic book aficionados and fans of the genre.
