Back in 2016, Ryan Reynolds rejoined the Marvel Universe, bringing to life the anti-hero with twisted wit and over-the-top action in the first standalone Deadpool film. A year later, Hugh Jackman portrayed the X-Men’s Wolverine in what was to be his swan song performance as the character in the gritty and moving Logan. Now seven years later, Marvel’s never-aging loner hero and the smart aleck super mercenary team up for the third entry in the Deadpool film franchise, Deadpool & Wolverine.
The action catches up with Wade Wilson making the best of his life after the break-up with his girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin, Gotham). He’s still sulking after being turned down to join the Avengers, and he’s hung up his Deadpool suit. While celebrating his birthday with his few but very loyal friends, Wilson suddenly finds himself yanked away and placed in front of a mysterious man known as Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen, Succession). Paradox informs him that since Wolverine sacrificed himself for Laura, this world will cease to exist in 72 hours. Luckily for the Merc with a Mouth, Paradox has special plans for him, so he will not face the same fate.
Wilson refuses to accept the end of his world and sets out to either resurrect Wolverine or find one from the Multiverse to help him save his world.
After a hilarious montage of numerous Wolverines, Wilson-once again suited up as Deadpool-finds a brooding, semi-drunk, and easily annoyed Logan in a bar. “Alright, I’m sort of on the tick-tick here, so upsy-daisy, here we go,” says Deadpool, literally dragging Logan out of the bar and into his fight to save his world.
Insanely funny, extremely violent, and substantially upping the vulgar factor over its predecessors, Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the best Marvel superhero films to date. Its relentlessly crass humor, high-octane action scenes, dozens of surprise cameos, and hugely entertaining performances make it a fine tribute to countless FOX superheroes, as well as a launching pad for the next wave of Marvel superhero adventures.
Ryan Reynolds is once again hilarious as Deadpool, the obnoxious, sarcastic but brave anti-hero who must team up with Wolverine to save his world. Reynolds has not only revived the Marvel character but has also reinvigorated the Marvel Universe by starring in and being one of the main creative forces behind the R-rated action-comedy. Reynolds, Jackson, and director Shawn Levy delivered huge laughs and incredible over-the-top action to the screen, making the six-year wait between Deadpool 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine well worthwhile.
Hugh Jackman reprises the role that made him famous and launched his film career, coming out of X-Men retirement and donning Wolverine’s adamantium claws (at least) once more. Jackman’s the perfect Wolverine and, as expected, delivers another stellar performance as Logan. Jackman’s running on all cylinders here, bringing the brooding and angry Logan back to life on the screen and being the emotional center of the film. Witnessing Reynolds and Jackman’s off-screen friendship transform into a hate-love bromance between Deadpool and Wolverine is enough to justify the price of admission.
The Crown’s Emma Corrin is the very definition of a scene-stealer as Cassandra Nova, one of the film’s main villains who’s cunning, clever, and deadly. Corrin’s Nova is the best villain in the Marvel Universe since Thanos, and Corrin’s performance is mesmerizing.
The action scenes have the perfect mix of over-the-top violence with ridiculous humor, and the use of pop and rock songs only adds to the comic absurdity of the sequences. And while I can’t mention any by name, just know that every cameo is given its moment to shine. Profanity-filled, action-packed, and wildly funny, Deadpool & Wolverine is the best of the Deadpool films and the best Marvel film since Avengers: Endgame.
GRADE: B+
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, gore, sexual references, and strong bloody violence
Release Date: July 26, 2024
Running Time: 2 hours 7 minutes
