Comic book movie nerds have been foaming at the mouth for Deadpool & Wolverine. The time has come to grab your respective color pants for whatever bodily fluids this movie will likely forcefully expel from those whose anticipation is at an all-time high. The best news that this film critic can deliver to you all is that director Shawn Levy’s movie isn’t watered down by the Marvel machine, and Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman brought all the charm and chemistry they could muster from their deep wells to the big screen. Deadpool & Wolverine delivers what the fans have been waiting for – and they will gladly gobble up the sarcastic fan service Reynolds regurgitates into our baby bird mouths.
Wade Wilson is suffering from an existential crisis, and is simply wading through a civilian life. However, when everything Wade holds dear is threatened, he suits up with the intent of teaming with a very jaded and reluctant Wolverine. If the two can learn to work together, there may be a chance to save the world – and each other.
If you don’t like Reynolds’s comedic stylings (which perfectly align with Deadpool’s mouthy musings), then this film isn’t for you. Of course, at this point, why would you even bother to watch this if you didn’t like the first two films? You aren’t getting anything too new in this entry, but if you enjoy the Deadpool stylings, then the film delivers it in spades. Well, Hugh Jackman may be enough to lure in even the biggest opponents of the Deadpool movies, as he returns to the role he’s owned for over two decades.
The internet went wild when the images of Jackman in the comic-accurate Wolverine blue and yellow costume surfaced. While those images and trailer spots got us hyped, seeing it on the big screen is even more impressive. Jackman has embodied Wolverine in every film, and he is clearly at home in the official suit. Just seeing that is worth the price of the ticket, but the joy the two actors have working together makes it all the more memorable.
There are so many elements of the film that are worth mentioning, but it would be cruel to do so. This is a film made for fans of Deadpool, of Marvel movies, and of the comic book film genre. In some ways, at this point in the genre, Deadpool & Wolverine takes elements to the parody level, but it is done with love and affection for it all. The world has started to burn out on comic book movies, as evidenced by the low box office numbers of most of them last year and the clear lack of new entries in this current year. Fortunately, Reynolds and company pack enough of the genre into this film to satisfy any cravings the audience may have been having.
While there will inevitably be haters, Deadpool & Wolverine is an exceptionally fun entry to the foul-mouthed and violent franchise. There are jokes for days, references to so many things, and just so much joy shared between Reynolds and Jackman that it’ll be rewarding to watch a few times. If you have enjoyed the previous entries, then get your Wolverine popcorn buckets and buckle up for one joyous return to the screen. This is the first MCU film that really is impacted by Disney purchasing Fox, and it’s a sign of many possibilities that we may see moving forward. For me, that’s very exciting.
Deadpool & Wolverine is in theaters on July 26.
Rating: 4/5
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