The merc with the (filthy) mouth returns in yet another multiverse mash-up that bids farewell to the Fox Marvel Universe as Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) et al. enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie earns its R rating with graphic cartoon violence and consistent swearing. (For those who have seen Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in past movies, it’s a bit jarring to initially see him dropping f-bombs.) In between are jokes that spare no one, from the lead actors to the studios, including what Stan Lee used to refer to as the Direct Competition.
Buy Deadpool & Wolverine Official Movie Logo T-ShirtLacking purpose and losing his girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) cause Deadpool to give up mercenary work and he takes a job as a car salesman. At his birthday party, Deadpool is taken away to the Time Variant Authority where he is informed by Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) that his universe is dying because of the death of Wolverine, as seen in Logan. Deadpool jumps timelines trying to find a Wolverine to help him.
Returning to the TVA, Deadpool learns he found the worst Wolverine in the multiverse, and as he realizes Paradox is up to something, the two heroes are sent into the Void, a wasteland ruled by Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), Charles Xavier’s evil twin and just as powerful. They escape from her clutches and seek a band of resistance fighters to combine their forces.
Once united, they attack Cassandra’s base, and before defeating her, they learn more of Paradox’s plan, which involves the universe-destroying Time Ripper. Deadpool and Wolverine have Cassandra send them back to the TVA so they can stop Paradox; however, she follows them and intends to destroy the multiverse with the Time Ripper. There’s only one way to stop her, but it will kill the man, even one with their rejuvenating powers, tasked with it.
While the story doesn’t make a lot of sense (why would Paradox bring the ever-unpredictable Deadpool into his plans when he has so strong a device?), plot and character aren’t the main concern of the Deadpool & Wolverine screenwriting quintet, even though they do take time to flesh out our heroes’ stories. Instead, they went for laughs, packing in so many crude jokes and one-liners that there’s no way to catch them all when watching with a crowded audience. There’s also a lot of action, including multiple bloody fights between Deadpool and Wolverine, who take a while to unite.
Fans of the Deadpool movies should enjoy this dream team-up and will probably do so repeatedly. While Logan gave the character/actor a graceful exit, it is fun to see both back in action. Jackman has good comedic chops and is able to hold his own. Even though done with CGI, this might be the bloodiest movie Wolverine has appeared. If not a fan of the ultraviolence and meta jokes that are hallmarks of those movies, Deadpool & Wolverine won’t change your opinion.
The movie also delivers a lot of fan service to long-time superhero fans, from comic-book readers who better not blink to movie watchers who were on board before Marvel Studios dominated Hollywood. Those who started watching after Nick Fury assembled the Avengers might not recognize some characters or get all the jokes, but those who experienced the good, the bad, and the sequels during the turn of the 21st Century will get all the references.
