Movie Review: Deadpool & Wolverine

At long last, the Merc with a Mouth (aka Deadpool) is welcomed into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) along with Logan (aka Wolverine) in the latest Marvel film entitled, appropriately enough, Deadpool & Wolverine. What is refreshingly engaging about the film though is how thoroughly enjoyable it is, even if it isn’t anywhere near appropriate for the typical super hero film audience.

When the story begins, Deadpool (aka Wade Wilson, played by Ryan Reynolds) is attempting to become part of the aforementioned MCU by applying for a position with the Avengers. A position for which he is initially rejected and then finds himself working in a soul-crushing retail position simply to move on with his life. Then, his world is torn apart with the Time Variance Authority (TVA) recruits him to as a potential hero to protect the multiverse. This, of course, leads to more time hiccups and variances as well as the possible destruction of his own timeline, and Deadpool finds himself seeking help from a fallen Wolverine from an alternate universe (played by Hugh Jackman) to help him put things back on track and well, save the universe.

If that all sounds a little confusing, that may be because that was a lot of exposition to stuff into just one paragraph. Somehow though, the third film in the “Deadpool” series manages to keep all of this neat and tidy without losing the sardonic fun of the narrative or likeability of either title character.

Director Shawn Levy assumes the reigns for this film in the series and embraces the dark humor and aura of the character as much as Reynolds has done in the last two films. This film moves briskly along and never slows down to an exposition crawl as such a sputtering would be interrupted by a fourth-wall break from Deadpool or some other sort of shenanigans between the titular characters.

Given that this is a film with five total writers (including Reynolds, director Levy, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells), it feature a remarkably tight and well-executed story. Above all else, it manages to embrace the fun of the whole endeavor, making this a must-see movie for fans of either title character and those looking to recapture a little bit of the heyday of the MCU.

Ryan Reynolds in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Photo by Marvel Studios/Courtesy of Marvel Studios – © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

In addition to the fine performances from Reynolds and Jackman, the film features a host of actors that swoop in and out of the picture carrying scenes by themselves and then working into the larger tapestry of the film itself. Much like previous entries in the series, characters are introduced and given moments to take control of the film as the two titular characters take a backseat, making for a balanced and well-rounded ensemble cast.

As a typical entry to the MCU, Deadpool & Wolverine doesn’t necessarily follow the blueprint established to date. But, as a fourth-wall breaking, foul-mouthed revitalization of that which has come before, the film succeeds in offering audiences new hope for the future of comic book films moving forward.

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Mike Tyrkus

Editor in Chief at CinemaNerdz.com

An independent filmmaker, co-writer and director of over a dozen short films, the Editor in Chief of CinemaNerdz.com has spent much of the last three decades as a writer and editor specializing in biographical and critical reference sources in literature and the cinema, beginning in February 1991 reviewing films for his college newspaper. He was a member of the Detroit Film Critics Society, as well as the group's webmaster and one-time President for over a decade until the group ceased to exist. His contributions to film criticism can be found in Magill's Cinema Annual, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever (of which he was the editor for nearly a decade until it too ceased to exist), the International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, and the St. James Film Directors Encyclopedia (on which he collaborated with editor Andrew Sarris). He has also appeared on the television program Critic LEE Speaking alongside Lee Thomas of FOX2 and Adam Graham, of The Detroit News. He currently lives in the Detroit area with his wife and their dogs.

@miketyrkus

Mike Tyrkus

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