Deadpool’s peaceful existence comes crashing down when the Time Variance Authority recruits him (Reynolds) to help safeguard the multiverse. He soon unites with his would-be pal, Wolverine (Jackman), to complete the mission and save his world from an existential threat.
- Based on characters created by Rob Liefeld, Fabian Nicieza, Len Wein, John Romita Sr., Herb Trimpe, Roy Thomas and Frank Miller for Marvel Comics..
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When Walt Disney Pictures bought 20th Century Fox, everyone thought all of the Marvel franchises from 20th Century Fox – which included X-Men, Daredevil, Blade, Fantastic Four and Deadpool – were over and done with. So, when Deadpool & Wolverine was announced as a Marvel film, fans went nuts. Another outing for the “merc with a mouth”, and he’s teaming up with Wolverine, which has been wished for since Deadpool undid the whole X-Men Origins: Wolverine debacle? Wow. Talk about a dream come true for Wade Wilson – and fans everywhere. But, would – or even could – the film live up to all the hype?
Reynolds is back as the guy in red in Deadpool & Wolverine, and still is just as fun as ever. This was the role everyone will always associate with him, and with good reason. He makes the crazy comic book character come to life so well, that he will forever be Deadpool. It’s fitting, since his co-star Hugh Jackman will always be tied to Wolverine. These two can’t – and shouldn’t – be replaced. While Logan changes things up by introducing X-23, she’s different enough that it works. Recasting someone else in either of these roles would be a Hugh-ge mistake.
Sadly, fellow Deadpool franchise alum Leslie Uggams, Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand and Paul Delaney don’t really get to do much in this film (and T.J. Miller, Karan Soni, Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz and Julian Dennison are also noticeably absent). Instead, they are left back at home, as Deadpool seemingly puts his own story on hold and ventures into new territory – and encounters a whole bunch of familiar faces. While Emma Corrin is decent as Cassandra Nova, and his usual group of pals is pushed to the back, it’s these familiar faces that really add to Deadpool & Wolverine. They don’t get huge roles, but these blasts from the pasts (and folks who were only imagined) definitely are nice to see.
The storyline gets a bigger scope in Deadpool & Wolverine. There is a Mutliverse theme, the TVA (from Loki (TV)) gets involved, and Deadpool tries to save his timeline. It’s a bit convoluted (as most of Marvel’s Multiverse Sage tends to be), but it works well enough in this film. But, it’s only a cover for the real fun.
Deadpool & Wolverine, at its heart, is a sendoff to the 20th Century Fox Marvel heroes. While not everyone pops up, the film is still a nostalgic look back on the time that was. This film really wraps up the 20th Century timeline in a way that, while probably not the one originally envisioned, at least gives a bit of closure to that part of movie history (and the backstage looks at several of those films during the end credits is just the icing on the cake). Since Marvel is going to revamp and recast a bunch of these characters in the future, this sendoff is more than most studios would do – and it’s nice to see Marvel acknowledge the past even while looking towards the future.
Full of action and the convoluted storyline that Marvel multiverse movies are known for, Deadpool & Wolverine manages to make this not only a fun introduction for Deadpool into the MCU, but a nostalgic salute to the Marvel heroes of 20th Century Fox. Thanks to Reynolds, Jackman and others, it manages to make the whole thing work on several levels, which manages to make this both a nod to the past and a darn entertaining film.
Here’s hoping Deadpool can regroup with his team (maybe with an additional member or two) and continue their story arc in Deadpool 4, because while this may be a fun movie for him, this is a lackluster ending for the rest of his group.
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