The Reel Review
When Deadpool discovers that the Time Variance Authority is about to destroy his universe, just one of many within the multiverse, he recruits a reluctant alternate Wolverine from another universe to help him save his world from total annihilation. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman star in this third installment in Marvel’s Deadpool comic book film franchise.
On the heels of the hilariously snarky 2016 film and its even more clever 2018 sequel, Deadpool & Wolverine again proves that this franchise in the normally serious Marvel Cinematic Universe is the very rare exception, with films that are consistently funny, silly, vulgar, violent and clever. Featuring a slew of fun cameo appearances from other long-forgotten superheroes, the film again showcases a very meta Reynolds constantly and snarkily breaking the fourth wall, with Jackman as an only slightly different version of the original Wolverine. Emma Corrin (The Crown) steals the show as the terrifying villain Cassandra Nova – her mind-reading CGI is super creepy – with Michael Macfadyen (Succession) hamming it up as the ever-so-sleazy Mr. Paradox.
As fun as Deadpool & Wolverine is, with its many Easter eggs and inside jokes for franchise fans, the story itself is a bit flimsy and there is a certain monotony to the humor this third go-round. While it falls a bit short of the first two Deadpool films, the exceptionally violent, fight scene and pop tune-filled action comedy is still a fun albeit slightly long ride. Stick around for a hilarious reveal at the very end of the closing credits.
REEL FACTS
• Hugh Jackman said he really was done playing Wolverine after 2017’s Logan, but felt in his gut that doing this film with Ryan Reynolds would be really fun.
• Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy (The Adam Project, Free Guy) paid a personal visit to Madonna to secure the rights to “Like a Prayer.” After showing her the scene where her song would be featured, Madonna suggested a change to make it better, with Reynolds and Levy agreeing to it. Reynolds has called the experience one of the great thrills of his life.
• Deadpool & Wolverine has become the highest grossing R-rated movie ever, soon to surpass $600 million in revenue worldwide. It cost $200 million to make.
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