From Joe Peltzer

To me, a sign of maturity and authenticity is being able to make fun of yourself and, sometimes, maybe just not take everything so seriously. Enter Deadpool & Wolverine, the Tropic Thunder meets Rush Hour of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). You may hear a lot about poor color grading and a suboptimal plot, but this year’s only Marvel Studios film is full of laughs, reflection, action, and thrills that don’t necessarily leave any lasting universal impact (more later), but smacks a silly smile on your face from start to finish.

For this third adventure of the “Merc with the Mouth”, Ryan Reynolds is joined by Hugh Jackman, reprising his role of Wolverine from about 24 years worth of films. The plot centers around Deadpool seeking to save his universe from erasure (for spoilery reasons that I won’t get into) due to the loss of Logan, that universe’s anchor character. In order to save the people he loves, he goes searching for a replacement Logan in multiple universes and, together, they go up against a foe that threatens all of existence. Frequent Reynolds collaborator Shawn Levy is behind the camera and part of the writing team, bringing the long-delayed and questioned threequel to the big screen (Disney’s acquisition of Fox had placed it in limbo).

As Marvel’s first R-rated escapade, Deadpool & Wolverine holds nothing back; the vibrant colors of the comic-accurate suits are matched only by the ostentatious one-liners and imagery from the film’s stars. What we have come to expect from a Deadpool film is turned up to high here, mixed with a meta commentary about 20th Century Fox’s handling of previous Marvel properties and subsequent demise and the current state of the MCU. In many ways, the film is a celebration of what has come before and a reminder of just how fun a Marvel project can be. It’s ripe with references and appearances sure to tantalize my fellow comic book nerds in the same way that Spider-Man: No Way Home scratched that itch. Out of respect for the project and for those excited about seeing it, I won’t be discussing specifics about said references and appearances, just know that there is much to talk about when we can.

Reynolds is just as unhinged and wild as we have come to expect, his character’s chaotic nature leading to hilariously intelligent quips that are quickly followed up by potty humor, both satisfying. Nothing is off limits, from takedowns of silly dialects by actors to project woes of the film’s parent studio. Said before with the previous installments, there is something to be said for an actor truly loving the character they are portraying, something that continues to ooze from Reynolds in every scene. Jackman steps into his arena through a nice 180 from previous appearances as Wolverine. While not as witty with the comments, his character’s disdain for Deadpool and quick profanity-laced shutdowns (complete with a “Bub”) show he came to play. When not getting into verbal combat with one another, they are engaging in solid action sequences (first against one another, then later against… well, a lot of people, while Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” plays). It leads to a ton of fun and a reminder of just how great Jackman has been as Wolverine.

Much to my utter surprise, there is an unexpected dose of heart mixed within all of the madness centered around purpose. Wade Wilson doesn’t feel like he has his own purpose while the version of Logan we meet feels like a failure for reasons that become clear in the film. It leads to compelling exchanges between the two characters as they grow closer together and a fitting chat between Dafne Keen’s X-23 and Wolverine to remind him of his true nature. Focusing on not what has come before, but what still lies ahead and what can be done in the moment is quite the universal message.

Just beneath the surface of the excitement is a scanty plot that borrows heavily from ideas introduced in Loki and is centered on the menacing Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin). The long-thought-dead twin to Charles Xavier, Nova is a clever inclusion here to draw familiarity from Wolverine and emotional investment based on his relationship with the Professor. Frustratingly, though Corrin portrays Nova as an ample adversary, her history and motivations are simply not given enough time to develop. As an audience member, in order to feel as though the characters are in mortal danger, the film needs to give the expected grave threat time to flourish. Here, the character and larger threat at play felt like an undercooked side dish present only to justify the overarching (and delightful) gimmick. Deadpool himself even calls this out in his own unique, fourth wall-breaking way.

Aside from the above, there really isn’t anything earth-shattering here that is going to alter the MCU forever, aside from the verbal mentioning of mutants. It remains to be seen what door this opens, where Deadpool lands in future films, and whether Jackman is truly done. On one hand, that adds to the frustration of still not knowing where this all is going (questions that I hope are answered at this weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con). On the other, this is the most fun a Marvel movie has been in quite some time, a low stakes outing where the director lets the actors do what they do best, that allows you to simply sit back and enjoy. Sure, the plot leaves more to be desired and the CGI is noticeably rough in a few patches, but Deadpool & Wolverine accomplishes exactly what it set out to do: deliver on the excitement for the fans. It also doesn’t hurt that it probably is about to make bank at the box office. In the end, I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing (nor could the theater); my cheeks legitimately. Deadpool & Wolverine adopts the best attributes of the 20th Century Fox films and infuses them with what makes the MCU tick. The result is a downright blast.

Rating: 4/5

Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters this Friday.

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