Returning as Deadpool for the third time, Ryan Reynolds is joined for this instalment by Hugh Jackman, who reprises his most iconic role as the metal claw wielding X-man Wolverine.
Leaving behind the now defunct Fox universe, the pair reunite with director Shawn Levy, who oversaw Reynolds 2021 hit Free Guy and Jackman’s underrated 2011 action flick Real Steel, for their first appearance in the Disney owned Marvel Cinematic Universe. Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick also return to pen the script alongside Reynolds and Levy, having done so on the previous two.
The film opens hilariously with Deadpool standing over Wolverines Grave (the character having died at the end of 2017’s Logan) and explaining in his trademark fourth wall breaking manner, that there’s no way to bring the character back tastefully so they weren’t even going to try. Cue a wonderfully violent title sequence, set to NSYNC’s ‘Bye bye bye’ as Reynolds spandex clad anti-hero desecrates the fallen X-Mans memory while brutally dispatching a group of enemy agents.
The film then skips back in time to explain the overarching plot, which involves Wade (having retired his Deadpool persona) being recruited by the time variance authority and Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Paradox to destroy his timeline and join the MCU. But in true rebellious Deadpool fashion, Wade instead goes about recruiting an alternate version of Wolverine to help save his universe from extinction.
If you think that sounds like complicated nonsense, then you’re absolutely right. The plot here makes no sense whatsoever, but that’s not what fans of Deadpool are here for.
Reynolds is a total natural at this and is on top form once again as the smart mouthed mercenary, with the jokes coming thick and fast, surprisingly on occasion even at the expense of Marvel itself.
Jackman looks fantastic in a comics accurate yellow Wolverine outfit and his surly demeanour provides an excellent foil to Reynolds fast talking lunatic.
If you’re not onboard with the whole Deadpool schtick however, the film may become tiresome quite quickly. The jokes are so relentless that it’s difficult to grasp them all, and when the film dabbles briefly with sincerity, the vastly contrasting tone leaves you waiting expectantly for a punchline that never comes.
Those expecting big tie-ins with the MCU will also be disappointed, as this is a film much more interested in saying goodbye to the Fox universe than moving forwards any overarching narrative. However, fans familiar with those older movies will have plenty to set their pulses racing, as the raft of nostalgic cameos from yesteryear are surprisingly effective
Overall, Deadpool and Wolverine is a film full of entertaining moments, that never really hang together to form a coherent whole.
It’s difficult to criticise something as funny as this film clearly is, but the relentless gag rate does make for a rather exhausting experience.
There are nods, winks and zingers galore, all engineered to wow the comic book crowd but there’s a distinct lack of any real substance resulting in an enjoyable but throwaway experience.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paul Steward
X @grittster
4/08/24