“Good to see you,” Deadpool says to Wolverine early in their new movie. “You’re joining at a bit of a low point.” The sword-wielding superhuman also known as Wade Wilson violently slices up opponents, but he doesn’t mince words.
Everybody knows the Marvel Cinematic Universe, of which Ryan Reynolds’ near-invincible fighter is now a part, has been in a slump with its films flopping at the box office and getting ripped to shreds by critics. While retaking its cinematic crown will be a challenge, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a giant, promising step forward for the franchise. Director Shawn Levy’s laugh-a-second movie is easily the best Marvel has delivered since 2021’s “ Spider-Man: No Way Home ,” and provides similarly nostalgic pleasures in its whiplash-inducing number of retro cameos — none of which I’ll spoil, for fear of my own life.
Safer to reveal is that since the events of 2018’s “Deadpool 2,” Wade has been wading through his daily routine, lacking heroic purpose. Meta as ever, he also gives us a corporate refresher course. “Disney bought Fox, there was a boring rights issue, blahdeddy blah,” Deadpool says.
There’s another terrific gag about the House of Mouse and a certain sex act that I won’t write, for fear of my own job. Wade still shares an apartment with Blind Al ( Leslie Uggams ) and was crushed to be denied by the Avengers. Miserable, he’s stuck selling used cars.
It’s at his birthday party when Wade is unceremoniously.