'Deadpool & Wolverine' film review: Marvel's most hardcore heroes are here to save the MCU
The Merc with a Mouth finally joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe and brings along one of Marvel's biggest characters in the raucously hilarious and violent 'Deadpool & Wolverine' (in theaters starting July 26).
In short: Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) recruits the Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) in a desperate bid to save his timeline. Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney and Matthew Macfadyen also star.
This spoiler-free view will not reveal any of the flick's surprises and cameos. Suffice it to say, long-time fans of Marvel movies will be tickled.
'Deadpool & Wolverine' had to accomplish three feats: it had to be a bonafide 'Deadpool' flick, it had to be a worthy 'Logan' follow-up and it all had to fit within the firmly established MCU. Reynolds and crew have crafted a very specific, irreverent template for 'Deadpool' flicks. The best Wolverine stories are rooted in a reluctant hero conflicted about his nature and his responsibilities. And these moving parts had to work within the look and feel of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And this flick went 3-for-3.
The first concern when a third 'Deadpool' movie was announced as part of Disney's MCU was: will it be an R-rated hyperviolent comedy like the first two flicks - or would it be a watered-down 'Deadpool' flick in-name only? As if to quickly put any worries to rest, this flick's opening sequence is a truly unhinged, hilarious and blood-soaked meta-aware sequence set to NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye" establishing this as a bona fide 'Deadpool' movie.
Despite being benched for so many years while Disney and 20th Century Fox had their corporate marriage, Wade Wilson remains the guy most likely to wisecrack, shoot and ask questions (in that order). And as if acknowledging the 'Is an MCU-Deadpool movie still a Deadpool movie' hand wringing, the story finds Wade Wilson trying to live a low-key, nonviolent, everyday life. He's not really Deadpool in this mundane existence - but once he puts on the costume and dons his two katanas, he seamlessly steps right back into his nonchalant violent tendencies. And in tone and tenor, 'Deadpool & Wolverine' is just as gleefully violent as the previous flicks - and just as crass and silly and hilarious.
Following up 'Logan' ... is a tough act to follow. The Wolverine story arch, which began with in 2000 with 'X-Men,' found its natural conclusion with the R-rated 'Logan.' As the other titular character in this sequel, Logan is also at a low-point in his life as he drinks away his regrets. Yes it's awesome to see Hugh Jackman in the full comic book accurate costume kicking ass and impaling everyone in front of him - but what Jackman always "got" about the Wolverine was the character’s constant internal struggle against himself. Logan always wants to just be left alone - but he always has the Wolverine inside of him - a part of him that compels the man to be the hero. This is what makes the Wolverine such an intriguing character. This is what Jackman has always embodied and 'Deadpool & Wolverine' is another chapter worthy of Jackman's legacy as Wolverine.
While the essence of the first two 'Deadpool' survives in this third flick, it was a bit unfortunate to see the main supporting cast of those two previous 'Deadpool' movies get largely sidelined in 'Deadpool & Wolverine.' Although they serve as the reason Wade Wilson goes to the lengths he does to save his timeline, Wade's friends - who have formed his de facto family - have virtually no other influence on the plot other than to motivate Wade. And on this related note, the fact that Teamheadkick isn't back with another Deadpool rap for the end credits is sad.
Given that the 'Deadpool' series has always been a string of meta awareness gags and the MCU is currently in the middle of a broader multiverse storyline, it makes sense that 'Deadpool & Wolverine' would feature a number of surprising cameos. But what's more surprising is that the third 'Deadpool' flick - of all movies - serves as an unexpectedly sweet love letter to so many unheralded, non-MCU Marvel movies. Many, many Marvel movies laid the groundwork for the MCU's success in 2008 - and 'Deadpool & Wolverine' pays tribute to the movies that paved the way for 'Deadpool' and the MCU to become the cornerstone flicks they have become. This is the proper farewell that 20th Century Fox deserved - one that it never got once the vaunted studio was unceremoniously absorbed into Disney. And who better to headline this love letter than the two most popular stars of the 20th Century Fox-helmed Marvel movies.
Final verdict: Packed with fan service, blood, vulgarity and all the crass silliness, 'Deadpool & Wolverine' is just the injection of energy and heart the MCU needed.
Score: 4/5
'Deadpool & Wolverine' opens in theaters nationwide July 26. The comic book adventure has a runtime of 127 minutes and is rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, gore and sexual references.
