It’s the match-up that fans have long wanted. Deadpool and Wolverine are teaming up for – who cares?! – and they’re taking us along for the ride, delivering a riotous blend of action, humour, and heart.
Deadpool and Wolverine starts with Deadpool at a low point – he’s tried to join the Avengers and failed, his girlfriend has left him and he’s stuck in a dead-end job selling cars. That low point gets even lower when he’s pulled to the offices of the Time Variance Authority (or TVA – watch Loki for more about those guys) and told that his universe will fizzle out because its ‘anchor being’ is dead. That anchor being was Logan aka Wolverine, who we saw die heroically in 2017’s Logan.
Cue Deadpool trying to find a replacement Logan for his universe, and cue a brilliant montage littered with iconic comic book set pieces. Unfortunately, Deadpool ends up bringing back what the TVA calls ‘the worst Logan’ and the two are promptly banished to The Void, which is presided over by evil telekinetic (and Doctor Xavier’s sister don’t you know) Cassandra Nova (played by Emma Corrin, who doesn’t get enough to do in this movie but does deliver a delicious punch line or two). Can the two put aside their differences, escape The Void and save their respective universes? Does it matter?
Now, talk of time varients and multiverse Logans may seem like you need to be fully loaded up on your MCU encyclopedia but you very much don’t. The movie is littered with enough gags, story and emotional and physical punches to be enjoyed by everyone, and avoids the MCU’s recent trappings of going too deep into the comic book catalogue (there will be no need for Googling on the journey home).
However, if you are a fan, prepare to get your mind fucking blown because Deadpool and Wolverine pulls out all the stops for fan service. Not only are there plenty of comic book references and wonderfully unexpected cameos, oh no, get set for MCU/Disney deep cuts from on and off the screen. Well, it has to be meta, doesn’t it?
Speaking of which, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool is as hilariously unfiltered as ever, blowing up the fourth wall with aplomb and bringing all the meta goodness we love to the franchise (and maybe even a dance number). The movie also sees the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. This Wolverine is grizzled and intense (of course), yet his underlying vulnerability and sense of honour shine through and Jackman’s nuanced performance reveals layers of vulnerability and a deep-seated sense of justice. The chemistry between the two is electric, driving much of the film’s appeal and their dynamic – a mix of reluctant camaraderie and begrudging respect – is both hilarious and heartwarming.
Director Shawn Levy has worked with both Reynolds and Jackman in the past (Free Guy, Real Steel) and their obvious friendship shows. Levy gives the two actors time and space to explore different facets of characters they both know so well but doesn’t dwell on those facets for too long. Indeed, the pace here is quick, jumping from joke, to extreme blood-fuelled action sequence, to moments of genuine reflection in heart-pumping succession. And all without losing a wonderfully lighthearted tone, which Levy juggles with seamless expertise, creating a film that resonates emotionally while delivering non-stop entertainment.
Deadpool and Wolverine is a triumphant melding of two beloved characters, offering a rollercoaster of emotions and non-stop entertainment. It excels in delivering what fans crave: a thrilling, humorous, and heartfelt adventure. Whether you’re a long-time Marvel aficionado or a newcomer to these characters, this team-up is sure to have you frequently punching the air in joy or throwing your head back with laughter, solidifying its place as a must-watch.
Deadpool and Wolverine is out in cinemas now