Review of Deadpool & Wolverine

by Taylor P.H.

In today’s age, superhero fatigue has been a topic of discussion in the film industry ever since the creation of the renowned Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Deadpool & Wolverine set out to prove that not all modern-day comic book movies are lifeless cash grabs. Directed by Shawn Levy, the film is a fun mix of science fiction, emotion, and comedy to create what some are saying is the best movie the MCU has given us in a while. In a nutshell, having seen the film at the height of its release, my overall assessment is that the movie was a fun love letter to all things X-Men and was definitely worth the wait!

The film takes place in the MCU’s version of 2024, years after the events of the first two Deadpool movies, with Wade Wilson still feeling the consequences of his time-travel affairs in Deadpool 2 (2018). After being apprehended by the TVA (Time Variance Authority), Wade uncovers a looming threat to his world and is forced to join a familiar face to confront it.

One of the film’s most notable strengths is the presence of Hugh Jackman and it's no surprise that he has returned to the character of Wolverine after his departure in 2017 with Logan, especially considering the movie's title and the promos and rumors surrounding the film's production and release. His and Reynolds’ performances carry the movie with their on and off-screen chemistry, with their relationship dating all the way back to X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), where Reynolds plays a less likable version of the Merc with a Mouth. An example of when their back-and-forth banter was particularly compelling in the film was when Deadpool was explaining to the variant Wolverine how important “his” Wolverine was to his world.

The comedy is another aspect that stands out, as the Deadpool movies have been known for their raunchy, R-rated humor. The jokes feel more tailored to a wider audience, reflecting the current state of Marvel and Disney, yet still managing to keep the more mature viewers laughing out of their seats. A good example of this was the moments where Blind Al and Deadpool were having a conversation on certain things that could be said or used in the MCU according to “Feige,” obviously alluding to the CEO of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige.

While the film’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses, it is still worth mentioning that the movie is not perfect. There are a handful of moments where it felt like Reynolds and the rest of the writing crew were obligated by Disney to include scenes and lines that Gen Z could relate to; however, these efforts often felt weak and forced, as did the constant nostalgia from some cameo appearances in the film. Other than that, there were no other real major flaws in the film that held it back from being a great watch.

While the reviews of the film have been somewhat mixed, students have had overwhelmingly positive responses. According to Cristian S., a senior at AHS, he thought the film was a "very enjoyable and comedic watch" and would "highly recommend" it. When asked about the film, AHS Junior Demetrius D. described it as "amazing" and praised Reynolds and Jackman for outdoing themselves, calling it the "best movie of the decade."

In conclusion, Deadpool & Wolverine may not be the best superhero movie to come from Marvel but it still got the job done in terms of being a fun, nostalgic ride from start to finish. Personally, I'd give the film an eight out of ten, and would highly recommend watching it if you are a fan of the Fox X-Men films, Deadpool, or anything X-Men related. The film has not yet gotten to any streaming services, but you can still catch it in theaters!