The third installment of the Deadpool trilogy, Deadpool & Wolverine‘s opening weekend exceeded expectations, to say the least. According to Variety, not only has it set the record for the biggest R-rated movie opening weekend, it’s also the eighth-highest grossing movie in box office history. Is it worthy of the hype and praise? In this review, Michaela and Sofi set the record straight.

Synopsis

Michaela’s overview

It’s been a long time coming for the third Deadpool film. After 20th Century Fox was acquired by Disney, it wasn’t entirely clear this third film would manifest, or how different it would be from its Fox-produced predecessors. If you’ve seen the trailers, then you know Deadpool & Wolverine wastes no time firmly establishing itself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, tying into the multiverse while being a fun and heartfelt journey.

Sofi’s overview

Deadpool & Wolverine is the blockbuster superhero take on the niche sub-genre of buddy cop movies, with an unexpected lesson on finding purpose in life. The previous Deadpool movies were always symbolic of the bittersweet feelings you get when a comedic film tugs on your heartstrings, and this newest installment is no different. The movie follows Deadpool, the merc with a mouth, on a desperate journey to save his universe, and more importantly his friends. To achieve this he teams up with Wolverine, a troubled man who isn’t as motivated to do anything really, let alone save a universe.

This is not a spoiler-free review! If you have not seen the film yet, we highly encourage you to do so before reading this review. Spoilers will be present going forward.

Analysis

Michaela’s thoughts

Deadpool & Wolverine positions itself as the saving grace to the sinking Marvel Cinematic Universe ship, while being the final installment of the Deadpool trilogy. It delivers on nearly every count. I don’t know if we have a clear vision for the future of the MCU with this entry, specifically, but it delivers a satisfying finale for Deadpool and the 20th Century Fox films. This film is incredibly fun, action-packed, and filled to the brim with meta jokes, cameos, and more. It’s fan service, but the best kind.

Wade Wilson’s foray into the MCU and encounter with the Time Variance Authority (TVA) is surprisingly thoughtful. Not only is the story full of meta elements and details, but it has a surprising amount of both respect and irreverence for the critically acclaimed 2017 swan song film, Logan. Arguably the best superhero movie ever made, I was somewhat worried about how its legacy would be treated. At first, I thought my concerns were justified.

I didn’t realize this until my second viewing and talking with friends, but any irreverence for Logan was purposeful and intentional. In addition, as the movie progresses, it cleverly makes both the film of Logan and Hugh Jackman’s definitive portrayal of the character over the last twenty years the “anchor being” for the story and 20th Century Fox at large. It is a surprising stroke of brilliance that grounds the movie in an unexpected way.

The action choreography, particularly in the opening sequence, is bombastic and features an abundance of the over-the-top violence we’ve come to expect in a Deadpool film. The set pieces and locales are varied and distinct, ensuring the movie doesn’t get stuck in one location for too long. Even familiar spots like the TVA and The Void have been redesigned so they don’t resemble their Loki counterparts (which is fitting with the way Loki Season 2 ended), keeping the journey fresh and interesting. 

Emma Corrin’s performance as villain Cassandra Nova is fantastic, relishing in the villainy while still being intimidating and feeling like a threat. Cassandra commands every scene she’s in, even with her limited screen time. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman bring their all as Deadpool and Wolverine. Their on-screen chemistry leaps off of the screen, ensuring each scene, whether emotional or humorous, lands perfectly.

I don’t have many criticisms of the film. The jokes are so rapid-fire that even if they don’t all land, they move so quickly that you’re bound to find one you enjoy. Not every plot point ties together as perfectly as you might expect. There are a lot of cameos and references that break the fourth wall, and if that isn’t your cup of tea, it may be overwhelming. The story moves at breakneck speeds, yet some scenes feel like they could be trimmed down. There are a few scenes where the CGI looks questionable in an otherwise polished looking film. 

Despite my nitpicks, the amount of content they pack in is impressive, and more importantly, fun. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had a rough few years after Avengers: Endgame. I hope it recovers, and Deadpool & Wolverine feels like a necessary jumpstart to get it back on track.

Sofi’s thoughts

Deadpool & Wolverine, the third and final installment of the trilogy, is done wonderfully well when it comes to both character structure and multiversal mayhem. It opens up with what may be my favorite opening sequence to a movie this year, and as well as an insight into Deadpool’s day to day life after the events of the second movie. Here we find him wandering life without any real goal in sight. Going by as Wade Wilson, he comes to a conclusion that working in a dealership isn’t the life for him. But for someone with his past, he doesn’t have any other choice.

The narrative ball begins to roll when Wade is confronted by the TVA, the multiversal police force introduced in the Disney+ show Loki. Finally, finding himself motivated to fight for the right cause, Wade Wilson dawns on the suit once again. Unfortunately this time the merc with the mouth is going up against the TVA. After finding out their true intentions of destroying his own universe, he retaliates and brings a familiar face along for the ride.

I believe Deadpool is done very well in this movie as it continues to build up his emotional insecurity of self-worth that were apparent in the previous movies. He may be an attention whore as stated by a certain three-clawed character, but it is an emotional trait that comes from wanting to just be seen. This movie asks the question if someone who doesn’t really take their job seriously, has what it takes to be a hero? Throughout the adventure we see Deadpool find his answer, and that to be the man he wants to become. He learns that sacrifices must be made. Deadpool’s emotional journey contrasts perfectly with his angrier and more pessimistic partner, the Wolverine.

Hugh Jackman is back once again to play Logan or “Wolverine”, who is clouded in mystery in the earlier half of the film, and we only get to really look into his past in the later half. Though nothing was ever actually shown, it gave us an insight on why exactly this variant is titled “The worst Wolverine”. This version of him at least, isn’t much of a “teamplayer” as any other variant of Wolverine. This trait caused the death of his fellow X-Men, as he wasn’t there to do much but watch them die. This event caused Wolverine to shut everyone off and become a hermit, drinking away his sorrows. By the end of the movie, Logan’s emotional journey concludes with him finding himself an opportunity to not just save his super-hero team, but an entire universe. Both the protagonists reach the conclusion that to be a hero you have to be willing to sacrifice yourself for the cause. A powerful message for the two characters who seem to be hitting a wall in life that keeps them from finding their purpose.

The antagonistic force in the Deadpool & Wolverine movie is my one nitpick however. Cassandra Nova, the would-be sister of Charles Xavier, is the “queen” of the wasteland that exists to throw away forgotten or “unneeded” Marvel characters. Cassandra’s motives go from keeping Wolverine to herself to then wiping out entire timelines in a matter of a few scenes. Though the humor and narrative of the movie was well thought-out and genius at times, I feel the antagonistic motives seem lackluster. Cassandra Nova’s character may even have been a last minute thought, due to some moments with her not having as much impact as they should.

Final Score

Michaela’s final score (4/5 stars)

Deadpool & Wolverine is a spectacle, bringing together the Fox and Marvel universes into one wild ride. The film juggles a lot, balancing a multiverse story with poignant themes of identity and becoming a better person. Ultimately, it succeeds on nearly every front. It’s easily one of the best MCU films we’ve had in quite a while. If I had to pick a favorite of the Deadpool trilogy, it would be Deadpool 2, but Deadpool & Wolverine is a close second. This movie is pure adrenaline and fun, and I loved watching it in theaters. If you enjoy its predecessors, you will likely enjoy Deadpool & Wolverine, too.

Sofi’s final score (3.5/5 stars)

I had low expectations going into Deadpool & Wolverine, expecting another multiversal slop movie that exists to reel in comic fans with cameos galore. Though the cameos were apparent they were ones that held value and importance as each cameo was a call back to an older time in Fox’s history. The humor was right on as it continued to hit every time, and the emotional journey that we are taken on nearly brought me to tears in the end. The antagonist may have needed time to bake in the oven a little bit longer but with that nitpick out of the way, I stand on how this may have been one of the better superhero movies released this year.

Deadpool & Wolverine is in theaters now.

Featured image: Disney

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