Deadpool might be "Marvel Jesus," but Shawn Levy's Deadpool & Wolverine isn't quite the Marvel Cinematic Universe's second coming. When Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, the countdown began on when Ryan Reynolds' "Merc with a Mouth" would pester the Avengers. Levy's third Deadpool film puts the MCU in its crosshairs in a way I never fathomed Disney would allow, even if chosen applications are Ben-Grimm-heavy-handed. Kevin Feige's utilization of Wade Wilson's R-rated antics enables the studio to trial a franchise "restart" that's non-MCU at surface value, openly roasting their "oopsies" of late. It's a vulgar buddy comedy, violent superhero actioner, and brand-pummeling meta bonanza that lampoons away all those recent MCU blunders — or, at least, hopes to distract you with more self-referential jokes than the Scary Movie series combined.
Deadpool & Wolverine is what it says it is: a team-up between Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Why? Wade's Earth-10005 timeline is about to be obliterated by sneaky TVA agent Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) — who offers the ass-faced assassin a chance to join the MCU's primary Earth-616 canon. Mr. Paradox reveals that Logan's demise has doomed Wade's current realm, and he's speeding up the process with a triggered timeline euthanasia. Maybe a different Deadpool would trade fame for his loved ones, but not this Wade Wilson. On a whim, after letting the TVA refresh his wardrobe and polish his katanas, Wade swipes Mr. Paradox's universe-hopper and starts searching for an alternate Logan to replace the hero who died protecting X-23 (Dafne Keen).
Deadpool's inclusion in the MCU brings all the baggage acquired from Fox's comic book movie library, which is the shakeup's biggest attraction. A story written by five credited talents — including Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Reynolds, and Levy — folds Disney's acquisition of Fox and the inevitable erasure of its comic properties into the underlying narrative that propels Deadpool. Deadpool & Wolverine isn't Wade and Logan engaging with the Nu Avengers — this is a love letter to films like Wesley Snipes' Blade, Jennifer Garner's Elektra, and the P-Stew's X-Men era. There's an in-your-face commentary about how Disney's reboot intentions overwrite existing legacies; "forgotten" titles catch strays while studios fight over property rights. These are the elements I wasn't ready for Feige's MCU to allow, let alone pegging allusions and adamantium skeleton desecration.
Although the film's intentions can seem virtuous at first glance, there's an underlying corporate stench. Disney is bashing itself because of what the stagnating MCU has become and how it treats other studios like Thanos collecting Infinity Stones. There's an aura about Deadpool & Wolverine that's a masquerade; maybe if we laugh hard enough, we'll forget about the graveyard left in the MCU's wake. "Don't be mad at us; here's another exhumed superhero from your past or lewd self-own!" I couldn't help but remain unmoved by random moments where Disney begs for back pats of approval because quality regurgitates the same clunky, overly digitized visuals and wafer-thin story components. There's a studio stiffness that makes the film's self-immolation by verbal mockery feel manufactured, never the martyr.
The thing is, I still laughed an awful lot throughout Deadpool & Wolverine. Reynolds was born to play Deadpool, and whether Disney's playing games with our hearts or not, Wade's brand of snarky sharpshooting is (almost) super effective. No boundary can't be crossed, whether slagging the DCU, Fox's mismanagement, Reynolds' marriage, or Jackman's career — hell, Deadpool talks more about shawarma than chimichangas. Audience howls are real as Deadpool and Wolverine find themselves in a Mad Maxian void filled with "trashed" heroes from Fox's catalog, as A+ cameos make a meteoric impact. When [redacted] speaks with that [redacted] accent and tosses [redacted] lil' [redacteds], how do you not grin like a goon? Maybe that's the simpleton in me who's a sucker for Deadpool's I-don't-care-but-I-really-do schtick, an unexpected character appearance, and buttery-slick popcorn entertainment. That's all Deadpool & Wolverine is, and that's alright?
Don't expect Levy to match Deadpool 2 director David Leitch when it comes to action. There's an in-minivan fight between Deadpool and Wolverine that tries to pull some Iko Uwais, Indonesian choreography stunts, as well as a one-take Oldboy-esque massacre spree down a New York City avenue, but Levy's unable to avoid American action choppiness. Edits are frequent, camerawork can be dizzying, and Levy focuses too much on punchlines over skull-crushing punches. Deapool's introduction as he mutilates TVA ranks to N*SYNC's "Bye Bye Bye," complete with dance interludes, sets a proper tone — but it's faux-badass cinema. It's the same with Deadpool and Wolverine's egotistical scuffles, or later battles featuring friends and foes trading slow-motion blows while the camera cuts away every three seconds. Action isn't Levy's strong suit, which is a shame because Deadpool's whole gimmick is being a master mercenary with unmatched tactical maneuvers.
Here's the last thing: I'm a sucker for a bromance. That's Deadpool & Wolverine, set to a soundtrack of Madonna and Avril Lavigne. Reynolds gives maximum effort as Wade craves purpose and belonging, while Jackman is a broken Logan tortured by his liquor-soaked actions and seeks isolation as punishment. They're oil and water with sharpened blades (in an instigate-y way), but when you introduce antagonist Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin)? Deadpool and Wolverine benefit from having a common enemy, one played dangerously and bluntly by Corin. Friendship comes easy for Reynolds and Jackman, as their characters transition from using each other as pin cushions to becoming an in-synch tag team … and it's effectively bromantic?
That's the thing. Can I comprehend that Deadpool & Wolverine is a hollow corporate apology wrapped in a candy-coated junk food shell? Absolutely. Have I seen infinitely worse movies this year? Plenty. Did I cackle my ass off, take the nostalgic bait, and even supremely enjoy some of the not-spoiled swings in terms of well-kept secrets? Yes, yup, and hell yeah. As I reckon with my warring feelings over Deadpool & Wolverine, I'm still pleased by the film's existence, even if it doesn't answer all of Disney Marvel's prayers.
As a wholesome ode to Fox Marvel's hits and misses, some forgotten, and others that finally got their chance? Reel in this Deadpool fan from the start, hook, line, and sinker.
3.5/5