‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ Movie Review: Fan-Freaking-Tastic

It’s been a minute since we’ve seen Deadpool on the big screen. But it feels like we’ve been getting a new trailer/ad/article for Deadpool and Wolverine almost every day for a few months now. Not that I’m complaining – I’ve been very much looking forward to this movie. So, did it live up to all the nerdy hype? F***ing yeah, it did! (Excuse the language, but this is a Deadpool review.)

The film finds Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) at a crossroads, having stepped away from his Deadpool persona. However, when faced with an existential threat to his world, he’s forced to don the red suit once more. And, to confront this challenge, Deadpool must enlist the help of a reluctant Wolverine, setting the stage for an unlikely and explosive partnership.

Check out the trailer below.

Deadpool and Wolverine Movie Trailer

Deadpool and Wolverine Movie Review: What I Did and Didn’t Like

The movie fully embraces Deadpool’s irreverent humor and fourth-wall-breaking that fans have come to love. Ryan Reynolds is in top form as Wade Wilson, firing off quips and meta-commentary at a dizzying pace. While not every joke lands, the sheer volume means there’s always another now coming right around the corner.

Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine is a treat for fans. Jackman clearly relishes the chance to play a grumpier, more rage-filled version of Logan. His dynamic with Reynolds crackles with energy, and their back-and-forth banter had me laughing the entire two-hour and seven-minute run time.

The action scenes are over-the-top brutal, bloody, and inventive. And, director Shawn Levy stages some truly jaw-dropping setpieces that take full advantage of both characters’ abilities. 

While I won’t go too deep into cameos and references (as I want to keep this spoiler-free review so you can have the same shock and surprise that I did), I will say that the film strikes a good balance in paying homage to Marvel while also creating something fresh.

Yes, there are plenty of appearances by Marvel characters past and present, but they serve the story rather than feeling shoehorned in. And there are some genuinely surprising cameos… I’ll leave it at that.

The Script

The plot did feel a bit muddled at times, particularly when it comes to the motivations of the main villain, Cassandra Nova. Emma Corrin does solid work in the role, but her character’s goals aren’t always clear.

While I did enjoy the constant stream of jokes, there were a few moments when I wished the movie would slow down and let some of its more emotional beats breathe. A couple of potentially poignant scenes get undercut too quickly by the non-stop jokes.

There’s no shortage of time-hopping, multiverse-spanning in the script – which allows for plenty of opportunities to poke fun at the MCU, the Fox X-Men films, and superhero tropes in general. It’s the playground you would expect for Deadpool’s brand of meta-humor, and the movie takes full advantage.

The Performances

Ryan Reynolds simply is Deadpool to me at this point. I can’t imagine anyone else ever in this role. He brings manic energy and perfect comedic timing to every scene. Even in quieter moments, Reynolds finds ways to make Wade oddly endearing beneath all the snarky remarks.

Hugh Jackman proves he still has plenty of life left in Logan, portraying a Wolverine who’s angrier and more disillusioned than we’ve ever seen him. His gruff irritation plays perfectly off Reynolds’ motormouth antics. And Jackman gets the opportunity to flex his muscles (pun intended) in a few of the film’s more serious scenes, which added some additional depth I really appreciated.

Emma Corrin makes for an intriguing villain as Cassandra Nova as I mentioned earlier. While the character’s motivations could use more clarity, Corrin brought an icy menace to the role, which contrasted nicely with Deadpool’s all-over-the-place energy.

The supporting cast is uniformly strong, with returning faces like Morena Baccarin and newcomers like Matthew Macfadyen fitting seamlessly in. And of course, there are some truly surprising cameos that I won’t spoil here. But feel free to share your favorite ones in the comments after you’ve seen the film!

Overall

To put it simply, Deadpool and Wolverine is the most fun I’ve had at a Marvel movie in years. It manages to be both a loving tribute to and a merciless roasting of the superhero genre. And it pushes the envelope of what’s allowed in the MCU (and certainly a Disney-owned property) while still delivering crowd-pleasing action and humor.

Is it perfect? No. The plot is a bit messy, and some viewers might find the constant barrage of jokes exhausting. If you’re not a fan of Deadpool, then you’re going to absolutely hate this film. But for fans of Deadpool’s irreverent style, this is a home run. It captures the anarchic spirit of the character with perfection.

It’s also worth noting that the chemistry between Reynolds and Jackman is electric, living up to years of fan anticipation for this on-screen duo. Their banter alone is worth the price of admission, but the film surrounds them with no shortage of Marvel goodness – and that had this geek girl grinning from ear to ear for the entire movie.

Deadpool and Wolverine Movie Review

Grade: A

(Note – avoid the comment section below until you’ve seen the film!)