Huh … so this is what it’s like to be text in a two-dimensional space, nice and tight in all the right spots. Well, audience, better relax those cheeks and smooth criminals down under because you’re gonna be glued to your seats tighter than Ryan Reynolds in skintight spandex.
Now, what in the … Deadpool, what do you think you’re doing?
I’m telling the audience to relax like a turtle on Ketamine because your reviews are longer than Wolverine’s claws after taking Viagra.
I … you do realize this is a college paper, right?
Just get into the review already, you’re already well past the average attention span of your Tik Tok-obsessed readers. It’s not like more than 20 people will read this anyway.
Um, ok, just get out of here, you’re making me look like an idiot.
<3
Well, sorry for the strangest introduction to an article you’ve ever seen but hopefully, Marvel’s biggest industry plant will keep intrusions to a minimum.
Now, where was I?
Something something cameos … something something catchy boy bands … oh right, Deadpool & Wolverine!
Since it was announced, fans have been not so patiently waiting for Deadpool & Wolverine. Despite the initial weariness surrounding Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine after one of Hollywood’s greatest bookends, the allure of seeing him finally interact with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool was just too enticing to ignore.
For me, however, I was a lot more reluctant to embrace the dysfunctional duo coming to the silver screen. In my opinion, Shawn Levy does not have a great filmmaking track record, especially recently. Most of his films always felt like the kind of movies you would find at a Best Buy bargain bin.
I also have become very much jaded with Deadpool’s characterization and impact on pop culture in recent years. Since 2016, it’s felt like the character has largely been smoothed over to appeal more to general audiences.
Deadpool is a very sad and tragic character who spent decades working towards being able to legitimately call himself a hero, so the turn to showing him as a mostly unserious man whose motivation in every movie is to save his girlfriend has left me wanting.
You’re just jealous I’m kicking ass in tights while you accrue more college debt than Van Wilder.
… Nevertheless, I was cautiously hopeful for this movie while preparing for the worst considering modern MCU films have had a worse track record than Taylor Swift and men.
Thankfully, it seems like the MCU found its Travis Kelce.
While Deadpool & Wolverine is by no means a masterpiece or the pinnacle of cinema, it’s a fun ride with a heartwarming story and excellent soundtrack.
This film is the epitome of turn-your-brain-off entertainment, but, honestly, sometimes that is just exactly what you need.
First, Hugh Jackman once again steals the show as Wolverine. It should be no surprise, considering that he has been playing the character for about a quarter century.
He, by far, has the most interesting arc throughout the film and it’s one that differs significantly from past films while also feeling extremely fitting to Logan’s character. I also have to love that they finally gave him the iconic yellow and blue suit after all this time.
That said, without spoiling anything, let’s just say his backstory leaves something to be desired. This is an alternate universe version of Wolverine, so the Logan you all grew up with is (mostly) untouched but the Logan of this movie has a backstory that just doesn’t match up well with how everyone treated him.
Everyone in the movie treats him like garbage and he is called the worst Wolverine in the multiverse. You would think this man killed Taylor Swift or something but when you actually learn what happened in his past, it kinda just doesn’t really feel like it meshed well with how he’s treated.
It’s a shame because he actually has a really good character arc across the movie but how he got to the point he was at in the beginning just left me scratching my head.
Deadpool … is kind of just more Deadpool from the previous two films. He kinda goes through the same character arc he did in Deadpool 2, and this film really isn’t going to change any minds on the character or reveal new sides to the merc with a mouth. If you’ve seen the other two films, you kinda know what to expect here.
Don’t get me wrong, he actually is compelling and interesting here, largely because of his dynamic with Wolverine, but I can’t help but feel like a lot of the work that’s done with his character has been done before.
The plot is also somewhat of a chaotic mess that kind of jumps from scene to scene and it doesn’t seem to have all that much of a logical progression or buildup.
With all of that said, this movie is just so damn fun. This movie is very flawed and it is most certainly not the best Marvel has to offer, but sometimes, you just need a stupid movie that will play just the right strings to make you sing.
The action is great and is the highlight of the movie. You know you are in for a treat when blood starts spilling. They even included a long-take Old Boy-style fight. If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for long-take fights such as the likes of the Daredevil hallway fights.
This movie is just oozing with personality so for every cliche plot point and unfunny joke, there is a full-blown NSYNC music video set to Deadpool fighting hoards of goons.
While there is a litany of issues, in the moment, the film is one of those turn-your-brain-off and enjoy-the-ride kind of experiences that I can look past the problems and enjoy it for what it is.
I also love the film’s meta-commentary on all of the FOX Marvel movies and the way they all got pushed to the side once the MCU became popular. It felt like one last hurrah to all of the forgotten Marvel films and properties over the last 30 years.
While many of those movies weren’t very good, it was nice to see an otherwise irreverent comedy treat these properties with levity and respect.
Yes, Deadpool and Wolverine is a very flawed movie, but it’s also the kind of unserious fun that you just need sometimes. It hits most of the emotional beats it needs to and the finale is just amazing.
Despite all of the issues, I felt a little sad saying Bye, Bye, Bye to this film.
Score: 7/10
