In 2019 it was finally announced Disney had bought the rights to the X-men from Fox, and fans were rightfully ecstatic. Marvel was already at the pinnacle of success with the release of Avengers: Endgame in May of that year, and this acquisition opened the door for more beloved characters to join their roster. However, since Endgame, Marvel’s level of consistency has declined, partly due to the over-stratification of their media. With few hits and many misses, the announcement of Deadpool and Wolverine felt like Barry Bonds stepping up to the plate, promising a potential home run. Marvel brought together two iconic characters in a time they’re needed most, and they hit it out of the park.
Kevin Feige either has a deep-seated grudge against Fox or approved this movie under some serious influence because they certainly didn’t hold back with this script. Not only is the R rating pushed further than ever before, but there are so many direct shots thrown at Fox. Deadpool and Wolverine is a love letter to the past 20 years of comic book movies at Fox, but it also takes every chance it gets to bury it far underground. For fans who have been following the buyout since 2019, this is truly worth the wait. The humor is incredibly rewarding for diehard fans like myself, packed with references and inside jokes that had my theater erupting in laughter. Hugh Jackman said he wanted to do this movie for the fans, and it definitely feels that way. However, it’s important to note that about half the jokes seem to need an understanding of the events leading up to this film, which may make the experience less memorable for some.
Deadpool and Wolverine’s biggest strength is also its biggest weakness: its self-awareness. Director Shawn Levy understands what fans want, and gives them exactly that, but there’s a reason most fans don’t make movies. Everything about this movie, from the action, emotion, exposition, and humor, relies heavily on the star power of Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds. Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds bring their absolute A-game, delivering possibly their best performances yet. Their real-life friendship is so vibrant in their characters that you can tell they are having a blast. Their on-screen presence is so fun that it almost feels like whatever is going on in the world around them doesn’t matter. Unfortunately, it seems the director and writers shared this sentiment. The story feels like an afterthought, serving mainly to provide fun cameos and fan service. It feels like what Multiverse of Madness was supposed to be and only highlights why that movie didn’t perform well. Marvel is aware they can’t rely on nostalgia and cameos alone to make a film worth watching, but instead of going back to their roots and crafting a compelling story, they focus on writing two amazing characters. For some, this approach works really well, but for others, it may fall flat.
The story falls into a problem that Marvel seemingly can’t escape, a shallow villain with stakes that are too high. In Phases 1 and 2 of Marvel, not every villain was a world-ending threat. They always felt personal, creating a much more interesting dynamic between the hero and the villain. These stories were contained, adding not only a sense of realism but also relatability to the characters. Since Endgame, every story has felt the need to push the stakes higher, resulting in villains that are bad simply for the sake of being bad. Deadpool and Wolverine does a better job than most in trying to give the villain, Cassandra Nova, some connection to the characters. Even the little exposition they gave to her created one of the most emotional scenes in the movie and felt reminiscent of not only old Marvel but X-Men too.
As a devoted Marvel fan, it’s hard not to recommend getting to a theater as soon as possible to experience this film. Hearing my audience clap and cheer for moments we’ve been anticipating for years was more rewarding than I could have imagined. In addition to these long-awaited moments, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman deliver what might be the funniest Marvel movie yet. While it’s uncertain how Deadpool and Wolverine will resonate with more general audiences, for diehard fans, it’s a must-see.
