Kaitlyn Murphy
Welcome to the MCU, bub.
It seems almost impossible — how could the vulgar, bloody, merc with a mouth Deadpool possibly fit into a universe where Cap chided Tony for his “language” and true gore is rarely ever shown? Disney buying out 20th Century Fox in 2019 is of course the main reason, but there might be something deeper here, too.
In a post-Endgame world, the MCU has been struggling to revive the passionate fire in its fanbase that had people lined up by the hundreds outside the movie theater with Infinity Gauntlet popcorn buckets in hand. In all honesty, there will never be another phenomenon like Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. After Marvel’s most recent Phase 5 project The Marvels flopped tremendously at the box office, it felt like all hope was lost.
Could Deadpool really be…Marvel Jesus? Could his unserious fourth-wall-breaking that pokes fun at the abysmal state of the MCU be just meta enough to work?
If so, what better way to join the big leagues than with the X-Man, Wolverine, at his side. The team-up was bound to happen eventually — Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s dysfunctional friendship might’ve been the only positive that came out of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and it’s certainly withstood the test of time. Jackman (un)officially hung up the claws in 2017 after the release of Logan, but said he instantly regretted it after watching Deadpool and realizing how epic it would be to put the two characters together.
How epic, indeed.
Deadpool & Wolverine proves that even in a modern film scene experiencing minor levels of superhero fatigue, if directors like Shawn Levy sprinkle a little soul into a film and actors like Reynolds and Jackman give it a beating heart, the people will come.
The film opens in the most Deadpool way possible, with a bloody fight sequence between the mercenary and agents from the Time Variance Authority, originally introduced in Loki season one. But Wade Wilson isn’t just tearing apart agents with his katanas, he’s also performing a full dance number to NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.” The song choice over a killing spree holds dark comedic irony that reminds the viewers this isn’t going to be a traditional MCU film.
Deadpool & Wolverine leans hard into the R-rating not as much with the violence, but in Deadpool’s wisecracking humor. The character’s usher into the MCU spotlight put this iconic aspect of the films at risk, but luckily, Reynolds was still given a generous amount of f-bombs and wildly inappropriate jokes. This also opened the door for Jackman’s downtrodden Wolverine variant to swear like a sailor as well, which honestly couldn’t feel more natural.
The character was introduced in this film as a variant of the Logan audiences loved and lost in Logan, whose death directly threatened Deadpool’s entire world (which, as he points out multiple times, is only about nine people). Matthew MacFayden’s dubious TVA agent character Mr. Paradox informs Wilson that without the “anchor being” Logan, his timeline will die out. Wilson steals Paradox’s TemPad and travels through the multiverse in search of a savior.
Enter — the Logan auditions.
** Spoilers ahead for the cameos in Deadpool & Wolverine!
Cameos have been a part of Marvel’s DNA since the very beginning, mostly reserved for Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee to crack a one-liner at the hero and make the audience exclaim “there he is!” But now, cameos are the studio’s method of fan servicing and getting more butts in seats.
As a fan, it’s hard to see any issues with favorite characters from across the years and studios popping up for a quick hello. In Deadpool and Wolverine’s case, a certain hero from another cinematic universe entirely played one of the Logan variants Deadpool encountered. He was affectionately dubbed “Cavillrine,” and it was shocking to see how well the former Man Of Steel Henry Cavill fit the rugged Wolverine look.
When Deadpool finally settles on an older, more Jackman-looking Wolverine, the two are banished by the TVA to a wasteland called the Void (home of Aliath, formerly seen in Loki season one episode five). In the Void, an all-too familiar voice greets the duo from behind a cloak. When it falls to the ground, the chiseled face of Chris Evans graces the screen and sends audience members into a frenzy. But don’t be fooled — this is no star-spangled man with a plan, Evans was actually reprising his role as Johnny Storm from the 2005 Fantastic Four film.
The cameo was nothing short of genius. It’s a great way to acknowledge a widely-forgotten film while still getting people excited because, well… it’s Chris Evans. If you stayed around for the end credits scene, you were treated to Evans saying a lot of Cap’s no-no words in a hilarious gag that reinforces just how funny this film truly is.
Other major appearances in the film include Dafne Keen’s X-23 from Logan, Jennifer Garner reprising her role as Elektra from the 2005 film, Wesley Snipes as Blade and Channing Tatum making his comic book film debut as the X-Man, Gambit. These specific cameos didn’t matter much to the plot besides X-23, but it was refreshing to see actors who didn’t get major flowers the first time around get another shot at the big screen.
These characters help Deadpool and Wolverine take on Cassandra Nova, long-lost telekinetic sister of Charles Xavier who was “pruned” by the TVA as an infant and has a thirst for revenge. Nova certainly isn’t the most compelling villain the MCU has introduced, but Emma Corrin plays her with a comedic edge that makes her scenes enjoyable.
Nova uses her abilities to dig into both Deadpool and Wolverine’s minds, and in these scenes audiences see the true vulnerabilities of the characters. Wilson was dumped by his long-term girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) who urged him to find more meaning in his life, and Logan remained wracked with guilt after causing the deaths of his fellow X-Men in his universe. It’s moments like these that remind the audience of what’s underneath the comedy and gore of Deadpool films, Wilson feeling like a failure and Logan’s remorse for not being able to save everyone he loves. The characters may hide behind a mask or adamantium claws, but Deadpool & Wolverine gave them the tender heartfelt moments they deserve.
The final act of the film ties together the dynamic in a climactic, fan service-y way, which just works in its favor. Wolverine finally dons the yellow mask from the comics, they hit an awesome slo-mo power pose together and save the day with a little dramatic self sacrifice.
Deadpool & Wolverine never takes itself too seriously — just like the character himself — and that’s what makes it a joy to watch from start to finish. Maybe Deadpool is Marvel Jesus, indeed.
