On that count, it delivers, but given it is Deadpool who makes fun of the genre, will this be a one-off? Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, Deadpool and a resurrected Wolverine; a pairing made from comic Heaven (or Hell), as the two are such opposites. And the billion-dollar question is whether the film plays savior to the superhero film genre. Hollywood has been in a very upbeat mood of late.
The underperforming films of earlier in the year were forgotten, thanks to the streak that began with Inside Out 2. Since then, films like Despicable Me 4, The Quiet Place: Day One, and Twisters have all brought smiles to producers and cinema owners alike. So, this Deadpool & Wolverine has a lot riding on it.
While it is R-16 rated, it carries the distinction of being the first big superhero film of the year - the one that may very well resuscitate the genre. Both Marvel and DC have been in a bad slump for the last three years - with practically all the superhero releases badly underperforming. So there was talk of whether the genre had packed up and died, rebuffed by global audiences.
Ironically, this is the one that producers are pinning their flagging hopes on. Ironic, because Deadpool has always been the anti-hero superhero. The timeline for this film is basically six years after the events of Deadpool 2.
The TVA (Time Variance Authority) seek out a retired, leading a quiet life Deadpool; to inform him that he needs to save his world by getting Wolverine from another ‘universe’ to join forces with him. There’s no spoiler here, as this much was already revealed in the trailer. Making fun of Marvel and the multiverse, Deadpool is that kid in every classroom who had the serious streak of delinquency, the one who’ll be voted First To End Up In Jail.
Deadpool is still constantly breaking the fourth wall, and being an unreliable, foul-mouthed narrator. To make it more fun, he now has a foil in Wolverine, a reluctant visitor to this neck of the MCU. .
At its core, it’s all about world-sharing, bringing Deadpool in contact with the X-Men universe, and letting havoc rule. We have Shawn Levy directing and rekindling his friendship with Reynolds - as they worked together on Free Guy (2021) and The Adam Project (2022). And Levy has worked with Jackman on Real Steel (2011).
Of course, Levy is now better known as the Executive Producer of Stranger Things, where he’s directed a couple of episodes per season; and prior to that, directing the Night at the Museum trilogy. Deadpool & Wolverine’s screenplay comes from Levy and Reynolds, along with Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells. Emma Corrin as mutant Cassandra Nova, and Matthew Macfadyen portraying the ambitious Mr.
Paradox, are the prominent new co-stars. And we have several reprising their roles from the Deadpool ‘universe’, including Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, Wade Wilson’s blind, elderly roommate, and Morena Baccarian as Vanessa, former fiancée of Wade. And from the X-Men world, and the MCU, be ready to be constantly surprised and delighted by cameos and appearances.
No spoilers in this review. So does it all jell and come to vivid, hilarious life? Blending the outrageous snarky humor of DP, with the more serious brooding enigma that is W? And combining it with strong action sequences. The answer to that is a resounding Yes.
Cue applause and cheers. In fact, the authenticity and consistency of the Deadpool IP is reverentially looked after; and people may forget that it was way back 2018 when Deadpool 2 was released. Just how much of a vulgar, motor-mouth Deadpool is may have already been forgotten or be a surprise for a new audience.
But vulgar he is, and it takes us by delightful surprise when Wolverine/Logan also joins the game. In his way, of course. Whether it’ll keep the current hot streak of box-office successes alive is another question altogether.
The R-16 rating will automatically limit its audience, so whether it revives the genre is what’s more interesting to observe. On that count, it delivers, but given it is Deadpool who makes fun of the genre, will this be a one-off? I watched this at an SM IMAX screening, and it helped make the scenes of the middle portion pop; so I would recommend this to those eager to experience the film fully..
