Marvel fans, rejoice! Deadpool & Wolverine is the crossover you didn’t know you needed but now can’t imagine living without. Packed with more surprises than a Kinder Egg, this film delivers a good time from start to finish, despite a few hiccups along the way. It also gets the MCU largely back on track after a few less than stellar films since Endgame. But just how good is it? Let’s find out.
Deadpool’s peaceful existence comes crashing down when the Time Variance Authority recruits him to help safeguard the multiverse. He soon unites with his would-be pal, Wolverine, to complete the mission and save his world from an existential threat.
The film opens with a bang, and then some. The opening sequence is an absolute masterclass in dance choreography, blending humour, intensity and visual spectacle in a way that sets the tone for the rest of the film perfectly. Set to N Sync’s Bye-Bye-Bye, from the moment the camera starts rolling, you’re treated to a dance number like no other.
The cast, always a highlight in the MCU is another standout aspect of Deadpool & Wolverine. The sheer number of cameos is almost overwhelming at times, but each adds a little extra spice to the overall menu, and the film acts as a beautiful love letter to Fox. Each appearance is a really nice nod to some of the films that came before it, creating an Easter egg-laden film that die-hard fans of the Fox era will love. These cameos are not just gratuitous inclusions; there’s plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
Elsewhere, the soundtrack of Deadpool & Wolverine really does deserve its own round of applause. It’s a fantastic mix of classic anthems and some unexpected gems that perfectly match the film’s tone. There’s Madonna, N Sync, Fergie, Green Day and so many more. Only Guardians of the Galaxy has featured more hits in the MCU.
But, at the heart of Deadpool & Wolverine is the undeniable chemistry between its two leads: Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. Their dynamic is electric, with Reynolds’ quick-witted, fourth-wall-breaking Deadpool playing off Jackman’s stoic, no-nonsense Wolverine – though Jackman does get to stretch his comedic chops a little.
The banter between them is sharp and also occasionally touching, which helps in grounding the film’s more fantastical elements. Let’s get one thing straight, the story is pretty non-descript, so the chemistry between the two titular characters is absolutely the backbone of the film.
Alas, it’s not all positive. While Deadpool & Wolverine excels in many areas and is certainly better than anything Marvel threw at us last year cough Thor, Doctor Strange cough, its action sequences and special effects leave a bit to be desired.
There are moments where the CGI (and there’s a lot of it) feels a bit off, and the action is filmed in a relatively static manner by director Shawn Levy that isn’t hugely exciting. It doesn’t help that a lot of the film is set in a Mad Max-esque wasteland that lacks that film’s depth. We’ve already seen wasteland done once this year – and better. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s noticeable enough to slightly detract from the overall experience. A bit more polish here could have elevated the film even further.
Another minor issue is the film’s pacing. After a blistering start, the movie hits a mid-film lull that takes some time to recover from. I’d like to say this half-way point is where our heroes offer some more backstory and motivations for the characters, but that’s not the case – it’s just a badly paced section of the film. However, once the film finds its footing again, it barrels toward a satisfying and action-packed conclusion that makes up for that temporary dip.
Despite its minor flaws, Deadpool & Wolverine is a triumph for Marvel and a must-watch for fans of the genre. There had been worries the MCU was starting to run out of steam, and while it doesn’t completely eradicate those worries, it goes some way to get the world’s biggest cinematic universe back on track.
The fantastic opening scene, cameos, brilliant soundtrack and outstanding chemistry between Reynolds and Jackman makes it a cinema experience like no other.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
