‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ review: The bloody hilarious duo saves the MCU?

The wait is over! Marvel’s highly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine has finally hit theatres as of 25 July 2024. The latest film in the Deadpool trilogy sees Ryan Reynolds as the wise-cracking Deadpool and welcomes back Hugh Jackman, returning as the legendary gruff and buff Wolverine. The excitement for this movie is sky high with fans eager to see if this dynamic duo can breathe life into Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and tackle the growing superhero fatigue that has been setting in. 

The film’s significance extends beyond just its star-studded cast. As the sole Marvel movie of the year, Deadpool & Wolverine is under immense pressure to reinvigorate the MCU’s current streak of underwhelming entries, such as last year’s less-than-stellar Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels. Fortunately, the Deadpool franchise has been a critical success, with its previous installments scoring an 85 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I was hopeful that this third movie would be no exception, and thankfully it does, boasting a score of 81 per cent. 

The film’s marketing has been substantial, heavily supported by Reynolds and Jackman themselves. According to box office tracking, Deadpool & Wolverine was among the most anticipated movies of the year, with many fans theorising about possible superhero cameos such as Taylor Swift as Dazzler. 

However, with such high expectations, a lot is riding on whether this movie can meet or exceed the success of its predecessors in Phase Four. To see if it indeed does, I caught an early screening of the film at TVG One Utama’s IMAX Hall. Can Deadpool & Wolverine restore interest in the superhero genre and deliver a blockbuster entry for the MCU? Read on to find out more in my review below. 

[Minor spoilers ahead!]

 

Plot 

The film follows Deadpool and Wolverine embarking on a multiverse-spanning adventure. The storyline cleverly bridges their 20th Century Fox past with Disney’s MCU, addressing Wolverine’s return post-Logan in a way that feels organic within the multiverse framework. This approach acknowledges, builds, and honours these characters’ rich histories. For fans, this means finally witnessing Wolverine donning his classic yellow and blue suit, a calling card to his comic book origins.

While the movie is packed with laugh-out-loud jokes, it also delves into the deeper vulnerabilities of Deadpool and Wolverine, providing a new perspective on these well-known heroes. We see the latter grappling with grief over his X-Men family, while the former searches for his place within the wider MCU. I felt a strong connection to this narrative, as the film resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outcast or outsider, offering them a story where even superheroes struggle to find their purpose. 

Without giving too much away, this purpose will lead the duo to encounter Mr. Paradox from the Time Variants Authority (TVA). The retro ’60s TVA headquarters, with its old-fashioned television screens and aesthetics, will be recognisable to those who have watched the Loki TV series on Disney+ Hotstar. Elements from Loki’s lore will act as the catalyst for Deadpool and Wolverine’s mission, tying it into the broader MCU chronology of Phase Five.

In the film’s only post-credit scene, the truth behind a surprising cameo is revealed. Without spoiling the shock appearance, he is the first mutant character Deadpool and Wolverine meet in the desert wasteland of the Void, another setting that will be familiar to Loki viewers. I also enjoyed how they called out its similarity to the epic Mad Max franchise, which I caught an early screening of at TVG One Utama’s IMAX Hall as well—more on that here.

 

Characters

Reynolds and Jackman’s on-screen chemistry is undeniable, continuing from their memorable rivalry in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Deadpool’s fan-boy obsession with Wolverine in his solo films. The actor’s off-screen friendship brings this genuine, infectious camaraderie to the movie, with nods to their own pop culture history, like their shared title of ‘People’s Sexiest Man’, which Deadpool references frequently. It was not just amusing but felt like a personal, inside joke between the actors and the audience.

The duo’s banter is frankly hilarious thanks to their characters’ contrasting personalities as Deadpool’s trademark ‘Merc With a Mouth’ clashes against Wolverine’s brooding, more serious demeanour. This makes their interactions a comedic goldmine that balances sharp witty humour with heartfelt moments.

Their partnership is the standout feature of the film, highlighting the strengths of both actors and making their return to these roles feel fresh, worthwhile, and meaningful. This is especially true for Jackman, whose character’s emotional arc I found particularly different from his previous appearances as Wolverine. Here, the superhero confronts his grief and reconciles his past mistakes alongside Deadpool, rather than facing them alone as he has done in the past.

The film introduces Cassandra Nova, Professor Charles Xavier’s evil twin, as the villain. Portrayed by Emma Corrin, Nova wields her powers through unnaturally long fingers that forcefully invade her victims’ minds. She makes for a compelling antagonist, bringing an unsettling presence to the movie. However, I felt that Corrin’s performance was somewhat overshadowed by the fast-paced action and other more charismatic characters.

 

Visuals

Deadpool & Wolverine doesn’t shy away from graphic action sequences, so expect brutal fight scenes with Deadpool’s signature comedic antics. The opening sequence, choreographed to NSYNC’s Bye Bye Bye, immediately sets the tone and musically calls back to the second X-Men film for those eager-eyed fans. The film occasionally leans into this cartoonish style as Deadpool clowns around to nostalgic soundtracks from the 2000s, which adds a playful touch that gladly takes us away from the R-rated violence. 

As Deadpool’s first outing in Disney’s MCU, I was surprised that it maintains the gritty and gory nature of previous installments. Although, due to both characters’ regeneration abilities, the brawls feel more intense and relentless as they can get severely wounded and still walk out alright. This slightly undermines the life-and-death stakes usually seen in superhero films. 

Nevertheless, it still makes for thrilling action. Picture Wolverine’s raw, animalistic power against Deadpool’s almost slapstick combat style, both drenched in blood and guts–it’s complete and utter carnage that keeps on going, almost feeling never-ending.

The ensemble fight sequences, featuring cameos from your favourite Marvel superheroes and villains, capture the epic scale of Avengers battles while maintaining the distinct, twisted aesthetic of Deadpool. The visual effects in these scenes are impressive, integrating multiple characters and their unique powers into the chaotic, close-up action with visceral shots, blows, and kills. 

 

Cameos 

As mentioned earlier, the movie is peppered with amazing cameos and fun Easter eggs that will delight Marvel fans. From nods to previous X-Men films to surprise appearances by beloved MCU characters, Deadpool & Wolverine ensures that viewers are constantly on their toes with who they can spot next. The choice to bring back these familiar faces isn’t just fan service; their return greatly impacts the story, rewarding dedicated fans in the comedic or nostalgic sense. 

It’s very much a meta-movie, addressing current issues within the MCU, especially the acquisition of 20th Century Fox and its Marvel properties like Fantastic Four and the X-Men. This opens up endless possibilities for future stories that previously couldn’t be told, poking fun at the trope of recasting comic book characters across Hollywood adaptations as well as fan-casted proposals that will finally come to pass… in this film.

Particularly, I appreciated the jabs at Hollywood and the superhero genre itself, including a cheeky diss at the MCU’s recent decline. The meta-commentary even extends to Reynolds and Jackman’s own personal lives, with references to their wives (or in Jackman’s case, ex-wife). This self-aware humour is a staple in the Deadpool franchise and makes it more than just another superhero movie–it’s a clever, self-referential treat that kept me laughing and engaged.

 

Verdict

As a fan of the MCU during its Phase Four, I came into this movie unsure of whether it could live up to that standard, especially after its poor run of films since Avengers: Endgame. But I have to say, it delivers! I believe Deadpool & Wolverine successfully revives Phase Five of the MCU by combining the best aspects of both characters. Reynolds and Jackman excel in these iconic roles, delivering performances that are both touching and funny, thanks to a script co-written by Reynolds. 

While some jokes and references may not age well, the film’s action and physical gags are brilliantly executed. This just-over-two-hour spectacle had me cheering through every battle and marvelling at the cameos, setting a new standard for future superhero team-ups. It will also leave fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter of the MCU… with mutants taking centre stage.

 

Final rating: 8/10

 

 

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