Deadpool and Wolverine (2024) - Review

Jul 25, 2024

3 min read

I was a little worried about the future of the Deadpool franchise when I heard it was going to be part of the MCU. Even after hearing that Deadpool & Wolverine would be made with a R rating in mind, I was still worried. I thought that there would be two problems. First, being part of Marvel (and therefore Disney) the movie would be sanitized to fit the brand. Second, the MCU has not been good lately. Fortunately, I needn’t have worried. Deadpool & Wolverine is an absolute blast that should please fans of the prior films.

There’s not a whole lot to say about the plot as I don’t want to give too much way. The best way to see this movie is to go in as blind as possible. But suffice it to say that there is an existential threat to the universe in which Deadpool exists and he needs the help of Wolverine, from a different universe, to help set things right. Naturally, the story involves the multiverse, which (for me anyway) has become a big problem with the MCU. Fortunately, this movie takes all the issues with the Marvel multiverse and uses them as a strength. You see, Deadpool isn’t just saving his universe. He’s out to save the entire MCU, and he’s going to let you know everything that he thinks is wrong.

The humour has always been the best part of Deadpool, and this time out the humour is on point once again. It’s irreverent, as always, and filthy when needed. The fourth wall breaks are in all the right places and give Deadpool the perfect opportunity to blatantly point out issues with the MCU. It really adds to the fun, and by being irreverent rather than mean-spirited, it fits nicely into the story. Give Disney and Marvel credit for allowing this. They do take some (well-deserved) shots, but the movie wouldn’t be the same without it.

Of course, you can’t have the humour without the action, and Deadpool & Wolverine does take it up a notch. The action is both thrilling and, at times, inventive. One particular scene of Deadpool fighting Wolverine was incredible, and frankly is one of my favourite action sequences in a Marvel movie in quite some time. But all the action is very good.

As always, Ryan Reynolds is perfect in this role. You can tell that he loves the character. And Hugh Jackman is perfect as Wolverine. With the R rating he can really sink his teeth (or claws) into the character’s anger. But he has some fantastic emotional scenes as well. And of course, their chemistry is phenomenal. Emma Corrin, as the main villain Cassandra Nova, is also excellent. I only wished she were in the film more.

The movie does rely on references to other movies and TV shows a lot and it can make the movie seem a bit gimmicky at times. But that’s a small complaint, and the movie does use it as a joke most of the time. Maximum (effort) enjoyment may be based on how many of these references you understand. However, even if you haven’t seen all the referenced superhero material, you can pick enough up from context to not be lost.

Obviously, I highly recommend Deadpool & Wolverine. The humour, the action, the performances; it all works and there are plenty of surprises thrown your way. This is what happens when the star of a comic book movie has respect for the character he is playing and insists on being part of the creative process. So, kudos to Ryan Reynolds for understanding the assignment. Without the respect he has for Deadpool there is no way this movie turns out this good. If you’ve been a fan of the franchise so far, I see no reason you won’t like this as well. But if that’s the case, you were going to see this anyway.

Deadpool & Wolverine has been touted as the movie that will save the MCU. I don’t know if that’s true, but it is a big step in the right direction. Here’s hoping this is the movie that gives Marvel the kick in the butt it needs to set things right. Being the third film, I don’t know if this is the end of the Deadpool franchise. But if it is, let’s thank him for doing us MCU fans an act of service on the way out.