First and foremost, the character of Deadpool has always been a joy to encounter, whether through the comics or the film franchise. Deadpool & Wolverine takes that joy and love and amplifies it to a much higher degree.
From start to finish, this film knows its audience and its characters and plays into the lightheartedness with which Deadpool interacts with the world. Nothing is ever too serious because that in itself is Deadpool, but that doesn’t mean the film doesn’t take the time to create heartfelt moments.
After all, we do have the added bonus of Wolverine/Logan being at the center of this plot as well. He adds a gruff seriousness to everything that perfectly complements Deadpool’s energy. If I were to ever want a superhero team-up it would be these two.
Soundtrack Gold for Action Sequences
Deadpool & Wolverine starts us off strong in the soundtrack department with “Bye, Bye, Bye” by NSYNC as Deadpool fights off TVA agents with the bones of his timeline’s Wolverine/Logan. It’s that level of absurdity that lets us know very quickly just how outlandish this installment to an already outlandish franchise is going to be.
I’ve said this since the first film came out, but after this film, it bears repeating. Ryan Reynolds is the only person who could’ve pulled off Deadpool so perfectly.
His comedic timing in the opening sequence alone introduces new fans to what Deadpool is all about and reminds old fans why we love him. I mean, the commentary, the sexual innuendos, the jokes in poor taste. It is all perfectly executed and opens up a film that is double the fun of any other Deadpool film.
What is fantastic about this film, in particular, is the sound and music department didn’t hold back on absolute bangers for all the action sequences. The music within the Deadpool universe is what makes or breaks a moment, and these films have always been great.
However, for some reason, the picks for this one take things to another level. I mean, who doesn’t appreciate the subtle implications of having Huey Lewis’ “Power of Love” playing in the background as Deadpool goes on the search for a replacement Wolverine/Logan for his timeline?
Then you have “The One That I Want” from Grease as Wolverine/Logan and Deadpool fight each other in the Honda Odyssey. That in itself is a fun song, but it is also a subtle nod to Hugh Jackman’s background as a musical theatre actor.
Finally, there is the insane “Like a Prayer” by Madonna moments in the film that leads into a joke that can truly be a nod to Deadpool’s sexuality at the end. Hello, who doesn’t love a good Madonna moment made even better by the sexual implications between Wolverine and Deadpool?
The Villains Are Top Tier
The thing about the Deadpool franchise is that the plot never feels like it is working against a big bad. That is mostly because Reynolds’ Deadpool distracts us along the way with insane antics and hilarious action sequences.
It’s not even seen as a negative. Sure, they are always trying to defeat some kind of obstacle, as all action films do, but it’s never the main focus. We wouldn’t have a Deadpool film if the audience was always thinking about the end goal of the plot.
However, Deadpool & Wolverine makes sure that the big bad they are working against is always present, even if we aren’t focusing on them. In fact, this film technically has two villain characters, both of whom are extremely charming and worth every moment of screen time they get.
First, you have Matthew Macfadyen’s Paradox, the TVA director in charge of Deadpool’s timeline. This man starts off harmless enough but soon reveals he’s a charming but hapless villain with a god complex.
Then, you are introduced to Cassandra Nova, played by the supremely talented Emma Corrin. She is Charles Xavier’s twin sister, who TVA banished to The Void as a baby.
Separately, these two villains cause small headaches for our reluctant heroes, but together, they create a level of chaos that only a Deadpool film can manage without being considered too “busy.”
In the end, seeing these two villains face off and create a bigger problem that only Deadpool and Wolverine can solve together is worth their weight in cheesy lines and atypical villainous behavior.
Deadpool’s Comedic Moments Continue to Power the Franchise
One thing is certain about Deadpool: He will never take anything too seriously and will always make time for jokes.
Deadpool & Wolverine is no different. In fact, with Deadpool having a sidekick/partner the whole film the amount of jokes available to the writers is doubled. Because now they can not only pull from Ryan Reynolds’ career but Hugh Jackman’s as well.
In fact, one of my favorite jokes from the film was about how Wolverine/Logan could “sing the second act of The Music Man.”
Add to that all the references made to Fox losing out to Disney for the rights to Deadpool, Chris Evans not being the favored Chris, Nicepool being obsessed with his face because it’s his money maker, and Deadpool’s incessant talking. This film is filled to the brim with laugh-out-loud moments and hilarious action sequences that poke fun at all the actors involved.
It even makes jokes at the expense of Disney and multiverse storytelling. The Void is quoted as being “the place where the TVA sends people who don’t play nice with the multiverse.” This implies all the canon characters/events made null and void by the introduction of multiverses have ended up here.
This revelation makes it even funnier that The Void has hundreds of Deadpools, and none of them are remotely nice. So, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool is allowed to walk freely amongst the timelines because he is funny and mostly harmless.
We love Deadpool for its attention to detail and the level of Meta it brings to the table. This latest installment definitely doesn’t hold back on poking fun at itself and the powerhouse that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
After all, it really is a crying shame that the X-Men are not considered important enough to be part of the MCU, and the same goes for Deadpool.
The Cameos Are Off the Chart
If anything else can be said about this hilarious addition to an already stacked film, it is this. The star power Deadpool & Wolverine pulled out for this film is astronomical.
First, we have the obvious addition of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine/Logan. But then you have appearances by Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, Tyler Mane as Sabertooth, Ray Park as Toad, Aaron Stanford as Pyro, Channing Tatum as The Gambit, Jennifer Garner as Elektra, and Wesley Snipes as Blade.
This film doesn’t hold back, and it makes for an even better story in The Void. Often, when a film pulls this much star power, it is trying to pander to an audience and cover up some writing that isn’t quite strong enough.
However, with this film, the cameos serve to add to the plot and strength of a story already well done. We truly couldn’t have a solid setting of The Void without some well-known, but abandoned characters.
At the end of the day, we can look at this film and say that it gave us everything we could’ve ever imagined—and more.
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Deadpool & Wolverine is currently in theatres everywhere.
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Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love reading the latest in Queer novels -- especially romance ones and watching the latest dramas, sci-fi/fantasy, Star Wars, and romcom films/TV shows. You can join the conversation by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.
