Journalist Note: As with all my reviews, this coverage is 100% Spoiler-Free. ~Fox
Deadpool & Wolverine is the continuing story of two superheroes in search of purpose. A few years after the events of Deadpool 2, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) lives a quiet life. He has retired from heroics, spending his days working a simple job. What keeps Wade going is his greatest joy: friends and loved ones. These, he cherishes above all else. Out of the blue, the Time Variance Authority (TVA) informs Wade that his universe has become unstable due to some events that cannot be undone. Wade soon learns that the key to saving his existence, and everyone he cares about, may reside with the greatest X-Men hero of all time: Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Unfortunately for Wade, getting the clawed mutant to cooperate with him is much easier said than done.
What works in Deadpool & Wolverine is the incredible action, razor-sharp humor, and the dedication of the entire cast. Reynolds and Jackman milk every moment on screen. They banter, fight, bicker, and fight some more. The stunt choreography is stunning, occuring in well-lit settings so that audiences can enjoy every punch and snikt. The script, written partially by Reynolds and director Shawn Levy (Free Guy), is a firehose of one-liners. While not everything will land with everyone, the buffet of puns, references, and inside jokes is so robust that even the most somber folks will find something to laugh at. For those who love raunchy and roasting, this is for you. Finally, Reynolds and Jackman take their work incredibly seriously. They know this film is for those who dreamed of specific encounters, costumes, and battles that they never thought would happen. Said simply, Deadpool & Wolverine is a movie specially crafted for fans of Marvel Comics.
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People adverse to gratuitous gory violence and vulgar language should avoid Deadpool & Wolverine. The action sequences, while objectively well-executed, are not for the squeamish. While Levy attempts to balance the horrors with a pop-laden soundtrack, people should be prepared for extreme mutilation. Even compared to the previous entries, this third film is easily the most unsettling as it pushes boundaries. In terms of plot, too much analysis will result in head-scratching. Motivations and rules are murky, and convenience propels narrative progress. Deadpool & Wolverine is a collection of fan-service moments that doesn’t care about the bridges between them (and maybe shouldn’t).
Deadpool & Wolverine is the movie most people probably hope and expect it to be. It delivers on the promise of the ultimate team-up. Reynolds and Jackman recognize and embrace the love people have for Wade and Logan. Not only that, they have surprisingly sweet reverence for the history of Marvel and the fans who embraced the film adaptations, even before the MCU. Highly recommended.
Recommended if you enjoyed: Logan, Deadpool 2, John Wick 4
Deadpool & Wolverine is available exclusively in theaters starting on July 26th, 2024. You can go ahead and purchase tickets on Fandango.
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