CINEXPERIENCE

Deadpool and Wolverine represents a lot of firsts for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the first R rated film, the first foray into the Fox universe, and the first film in over 9 months following a series of misses and disappointments. There’s been a lot of pressure put on the film to “save the MCU” something cheekily referenced in the marketing with Wade proclaiming himself “Marvel Jesus.” So, is Deadpool and Wolverine enough to save the MCU…? Maybe… maybe not. But it’s still a lot of fun! 

The film picks up six years after the last installment. Wade has hung up the mask, trading life as a mercenary for a quieter life as a used car salesman. That is, until the Time Variance Authority (TVA) comes knocking, and Wade finds himself in a race against the clock to save his universe.

Ironically, as Deadpool’s introduction to the MCU, Deadpool and Wolverine embodies many of the best and the worst traits of the studio. On the negative side, there are five screenwriters credited on the film, and at times it feels as if each of them were trying to make their own movie. The result is repetitive story beats, underdeveloped plotlines and uneven pacing; with multiple moments of the story needing to screech to a halt for extended exposition dumps and character introductions occurring in rapid succession. Yet despite the degree of exposition, key elements of the plot remain at best, mysterious, at worst, outright baffling. The film’s connections to the broader MCU gets caught up in the confusion. The organization works best when they’re allowed to be outright antagonists, but the remainder of the time are muddled in terms of their motivations and operations.

However, Deadpool and Wolverine also serves as a return to form for many of the elements that made the MCU so successful in the first place. The jokes hit far more often than they miss. The action is stellar, Shawn Levy and his team handle both small and large scale fight scenes with an inventive flair. The film takes full advantage of many of the character’s regenerative abilities to hold nothing back in terms of violence, making this Deadpool’s bloodiest outing. The emotional center of the film is surprisingly resonant, helping ground the film through its more clumsy story moments.

The cast is strong all around. Ryan Renyolds remains the perfect embodiment of the merc with the mouth. In the hands of another actor the character could easily fall into grating territory, but Reynolds brings enough heart to the performance to keep Wade endearing. Hugh Jackman provides the perfect counterweight to Reynolds, the two’s chemistry serves as the backbone of the film. After nearly 25 years of playing Wolverine, Jackman still manages to find new emotional territory for the character to uncover. His performance helps mend some of the more rushed developments of his arc.

Newcomers, Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen are equally stellar, but are unfortunately underutilized. Both actors bring much needed life to their underwritten roles, and are able to navigate through an abundance of exposition on pure charm and charisma. Corrin’s Cassandra Nova is especially a standout, and is sure to be a fan favorite. The only downside to the character is how little she is used.

The movie looks great. The visual effects are among Marvel’s best, as is the costuming. The score is unfortunately forgettable, and the sound mixing in IMAX was occasionally muffled or uncomfortably loud.

Overall, watching Deadpool and Wolverine feels like taking a roadtrip with friends, occasionally frustrating, often slowed down by speed bumps and questionable navigation, but still, a hell of a fun ride.