Deadpool can’t die. If he were a character in Greek mythology, that might be a source of tragedy, but in Wade Wilson’s scuzzy corner of the Marvel universe, it functions as a catalyst for off-color comedy instead. Last time the trash-mouthed mercenary headlined a movie, Deadpool could be seen chugging drain cleaner and trying to nuke himself into oblivion — a stunt that sent his extended middle finger flying in Wolverine’s direction.
The two heroes have had a long-running rivalry, since both were given regenerative healing powers via the Weapons-X program, but only Wolverine could make grown men cry. Until now. The laughs are a given, but not the misty-eyed reaction to the final minutes of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which is by far the most fan-service sequel released under the Marvel banner — and that’s saying something, since the comic book empire panders even harder to its flock than the faith-based industry does.
In the past, such shameless give-folks-what-they-want-ism might have been a bad thing, but here, it serves as a welcome corrective to the superhero overload of the past 15 years. Now that the Disney-backed Marvel Cinematic Universe seems to be running on fumes, the entire genre could use a shake-up, and this jester-like character is just the guy to do it. What makes Deadpool special, apart from lead actor (and co-writer) Ryan Reynolds ’ sarcastic R-rated sensibility, is the way he breaks the fourth wall, offering unfiltered commentary on just about.