‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Review: Look, I Laughed
The movie Deadpool & Wolverine is not very good in particular. However, it tries so hard to impress you with its constant lack of respect that you might just give in. Photo: Jay Maidment/20th Century Studios/MARVEL
Just before Deadpool and Wolverine engage in their first epic battle in Deadpool & Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds's Deadpool winks at the camera and jokes, "Get ready for the action, you nerds." What follows is a predictable mix of violence, with necks being sliced, hearts being stabbed, and blood gushing everywhere. However, since neither character can actually die, the violence loses its impact. What really stands out is Deadpool's cheeky remarks to the audience, playfully insulting us while also making us feel included in his sarcastic humor. It's like we're all in on the joke together.
This is how Deadpool does things. He's known for being crude, vulgar, and breaking the fourth wall in the Marvel universe. Fans of comic books love him, as well as people who think they're too cool for superheroes. He gives the fans what they want while also making fun of the whole superhero genre. At one point, he says, "They call me the Merc with a Mouth. They don't call me Truthful Timmy, the Blowjob Queen of Saskatoon." It made me laugh. I also laughed when he made fun of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine for finally wearing his classic yellow-and-blue costume. He said, "Friends don't let friends leave home looking like they fight crime for the Los Angeles Rams." The mixture of agony and delight, along with some people in the audience practically cheering when Wolverine put on his helmet, shows that the film really knows how to please the fans. It's a special kind of humor for sure.
The Deadpool & Wolverine movie is not very good, and some may even question if it qualifies as a movie at all. However, it is so persistent in its irreverence that you may find yourself giving in to its charm. This film comes at a time when Marvel has been struggling, with a series of disappointments and a failed attempt to start a new superhero phase after the huge success of Avengers: Endgame. It's refreshing that this movie isn't trying to reboot, extend, or set the stage for anything else. It seems like its only purpose is to make money. The movie jokes about tying into a specific episode of Loki, which it probably does, but I won't bother to look into it. The plot is ridiculous, involving Deadpool finding a live Wolverine in another universe to save his own universe from the Time Variance Authority (TVA), led by the hammy Matthew Macfadyen. The film is aware of its own greediness, and that self-awareness can be more enjoyable than a serious attitude.
For a short time, at least. Deadpool, with an Aussie accent similar to Jackman's, mentions that nothing could bring him back faster than a big bag of Marvel cash. This is said at the beginning, when it seems like Wolverine will continue to remain dead as he was in Logan. (It's a bit confusing as these characters are both real superheroes and fictional characters played by actors. It's probably best not to dwell on it too much.) When Wolverine finally returns, Deadpool casually greets him by saying, "Welcome to the MCU, by the way. You're coming in at a rough time." I don't exactly recall if he said this while near the remains of the old 20th Century Fox logo in a desolate dimension called the Void, where useless things go to die; that may have been in a later scene. But I'm pretty certain he yelled, "Suck it, Fox, I'm headed to Disney World!" at some point.
You understand what I mean. There are around 296 more jokes just like that one. Sometimes it seems like Deadpool only has two types of humor: poking fun at the industry that he comes from and jokes about sex. Every now and then, it's a combination of both: "Pegging isn't new to me, but it is for Disney," he says when he mistakes TVA soldiers for male prostitutes at his birthday party. These jokes are funny at first, but eventually you start to wonder if he should try out some new material.
However, this would not align with the essence of the character, who is supposed to be irritating and one-dimensional. This is why Wolverine is eager to fight him, and Jackman skillfully portrays the character's anger. In their second fight, which takes place in a Honda Odyssey, the stakes feel real because Jackman brings seriousness to this otherwise silly movie. He outperforms his co-star, whose lack of acting range held him back from becoming a leading man in Hollywood. Reynolds struggled to make his characters seem genuine during that time, which is why Deadpool became his most successful role. This movie understands that it is pairing the wittiest Marvel hero with the most serious one. The humor ultimately prevails. Deadpool jokingly asks Wolverine about his troubles, and as expected, we see a flashback in the movie's third act.
When talking about spoilers, the movie is full of some pleasant surprise appearances that Disney has managed to keep secret. I won't spoil it for you, but I will say that when the TVA sends our heroes to the Void, they end up in a world filled with useless things. Even the surprise appearances take jabs at the superhero industry. As I watched them, I couldn't help but wonder if I was reacting to the actual performances and events on screen - which are mostly just okay - or if I was simply surprised to see them. Essentially, am I enjoying the movie itself or just the hype surrounding it? Unfortunately, we live in a world where the distinction between the two doesn't really matter anymore. Deadpool would probably have a joke about that. Actually, he does. It's in this film.
