Marvel fans who have long awaited the reunion of two iconic comic characters will not be disappointed with “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the sole Marvel Studios release of 2024.
Fueled by an enormous global marketing campaign led by its two titular stars, the film faces the daunting task of reversing Marvel Studios’ recent critical and box-office slump while meeting the lofty expectations of both casual viewers and die-hard superhero fans.
In many ways, this movie delivers. It is a funny, vulgar, violent, and emotional buddy film, driven primarily by the on-screen chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen also shine in their supporting roles as Cassandra Nova and Paradox.
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s undeniable chemistry is the cornerstone of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” transforming what could have been a standard superhero film into a captivating buddy movie. Their real-life friendship radiates through the screen, even amidst the chaotic, often violent attempts to constantly stab each other.
This dynamic creates a unique blend of camaraderie and rivalry that keeps the audience engaged. Both actors clearly relish their roles, and their enjoyment is infectious. The playful banter and physical comedy are delivered with such authenticity that it feels as if they are inviting the viewers to join in on their fun. This lively interplay not only enhances the humor and action but also adds an emotional depth, making their characters’ journey together even more compelling.
Apart from the two leads, the film is also acutely aware of the fans’ high expectations, acknowledging them through sharp, rapid-fire dialogue that keeps pace with the film’s intense action sequences. This creates an intriguing balance: the movie must not take itself too seriously while ensuring the audience cares about the high stakes involved. In my opinion, it succeeds brilliantly. Viewers quickly attune to the self-referential humor intertwined with high-stakes action.
However, the film’s humor requires a deep knowledge of not only the MCU but also the Fox superhero movies, the comics, the actors, and the film industry itself. Those lacking this background may miss much of the film’s nuance.
This brings us to the film’s primary flaw: its relentless, no-holds-barred joke-action-exposition cycle can be exhausting. While I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, it demands significant cognitive effort to keep up with its frenetic dialogue.
And now, onto some spoilers…
The marketing campaign teased numerous cameos, and the film delivers. Significant cameos include Jennifer Garner, Wesley Snipes, Dafne Keen, Channing Tatum, and Chris Evans. Crowd-pleasers like Henry Cavill, Jon Favreau, Thor, and Hulk also make appearances. There are also blink-and-miss moments with various mutants comprising Cassandra Nova’s crew. These cameos mark a departure from earlier Deadpool films, which featured self-aware jokes about the lack of significant cameos. With Deadpool and Wolverine now firmly in the MCU, their world expands significantly.
Plot Summary:
Deadpool is abducted from his universe and offered a place in the sacred timeline (the main MCU) by Paradox of the TVA. The catch is that his universe will be destroyed, having lost its anchor being, Logan (see Logan). Deadpool seeks out a Wolverine from another universe to replace the one lost in his own. However, things go awry when Paradox accelerates the destruction of Deadpool’s universe with a McGuffin called the Time Ripper. The duo is cast off to the Void, a nowhere land housing forgotten Marvel variants. There, they encounter Cassandra Nova, who tries to feed them to Alioth (see Loki S01E05). They escape, team up with Elektra, Gambit, Blade, and X23, and storm Nova’s lair to force her to send them back to their universe to stop Paradox from activating the Time Ripper. This culminates in an epic slow-motion fight sequence. Back in Deadpool’s universe, they face the Deadpool Corps in another violent sequence set to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer,” ending with a classic comic hero freeze-frame of the two bursting from a bus. Finally, they must stop Cassandra Nova from using the Time Ripper to destroy all timelines.
At the film’s end, the Fox universe is saved and thriving. This suggests the multiverse concept will remain central to the MCU’s storytelling. Rather than collapsing into a single timeline, Marvel hints at focusing on a few key realities: the sacred timeline (Earth-616), the Fox mutant timeline (Earth-10005), and perhaps another featuring the upcoming Fantastic Four movie starring Pedro Pascal.
Continuity Errors:
- Logan takes place in 2029, while Deadpool & Wolverine is set in 2024. Wade and Paradox’s discussion of Logan’s death implies it is common knowledge, which conflicts with the timeline.
- The film starts with Wade’s 2018 interview with Happy Hogan, attempting to join the Avengers on Earth-616, the year of the Blip. Six years later, the movie cuts to Earth-10005. Captioning the event on Earth-10005 would clarify this. Unless the intention here is to imply that Paradox was trying to fix an error by bringing Deadpool from Earth-10005 to join the Avengers of Earth-616.
- The Fox mutant universe has numerous continuity issues. For example, Sabretooth’s relationship with Wolverine changes between films. The Sabretooth in this movie resembles the character from the first X-Men film, suggesting they are not brothers.
Ultimately, it’s best to overlook these continuity errors and simply enjoy the film. The joy elicited by Deadpool, Wolverine, and the larger Fox mutant universe’s integration into the MCU outweighs the inconsistencies. The movie’s ambitious scope delivers on most fronts. When asked if I want to see more mutants in the MCU despite the continuity issues, my response is: “Let’s Fucking Go!”