Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) | Film Review
Release Date: July 26, 2024
Distributed By: Walt Disney Studios
Director(s): Shawn Levy
Writer(s): Shawn Levy. Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Matthew Macfadyen
From its incredible opening all the way to its perfect bowtie ending, Deadpool & Wolverine is not only a gift to longtime fans of both heroes but respectful and inviting to those just wanting to see a great film regardless of any prior MCU knowledge. At this point, especially since the MCU feels like it's been blown out of proportion, it felt nice to experience a film that wasn't trying to tell a story while also selling previous projects and action figures leading up to said film. Deadpool & Wolverine instead finds way to give prominence to - and appreciation for - the heroes that started it all before an all-encompassing strategy was set into motion, and it's so much better for it.
Getting to the point, seeing Hugh Jackman once again portray Wolverine after he retired the character with the emotional Logan is a riveting and incredible thing to experience for those that have kept up with his career, and especially X-Men since 2000. Not an ounce of rust has fallen on his adamantium, and he picks up right where he left off looking as great as ever, with his devotion to the character never ceasing to amaze. Twenty plus years later, we also finally get to witness a comic-accurate suit that wows and never loses its spectacle throughout. "A spectacle" Is also a great way to define this film as well, because wit the amount of characters, arcs, sequences, and cameos throughout, it's a wonder how Deadpool & Wolverine felt cohesive and never wavering from its focus, and even though Reynolds has made no mistake that his love for Deadpool as a character and the comics drives him more than almost anything proving so with his dedication to getting the original Deadpool off the ground, Deadpool & Wolverine feels like a passion project through and through where every minute never feels like wasted screentime, even during those comical moments where "the audience is accustomed to longer runtimes."
Those who grew up with these films that are between their mid 20s and 30s before the popularity of cinematic universes came into play will find a lot to love about Deadpool & Wolverine and will likely get 99% of the references. There's also an appreciation for film as a whole here, and though it still has a sort of Marvel formula to it now that it rests under its umbrella, it stands on its own two feet proudly and justly. I couldn't help but feel like this wasn't just about (with some of the cameos) bringing back "forgotten" characters, but honoring those actors that gave each and every one of those entities merit, especially at a time when comic book weren't taken as seriously back then and were solely "for nerds", whereas now they own the box office with every new release and are engrained seemingly permanently into pop culture and everyday life.
I cannot stress enough how good of a film Deadpool & Wolverine is. It's a shame now that Marvel will likely be going back to its formula and 1-2-Step song and dance when it comes to filmmaking, but I'm hoping that this shakes up enough ground and shows both Marvel and Disney that a great way to cater to all audiences is by letting the people that are actually passionate about the project in motion have more leeway than a suit that's worried a few investors won't be happy.
As a side note, I would love to see Deadpool eventually team up with Spider-Man, but I know that will be a lot trickier with Spider-Man having always been a lot more family friendly than most other heroes. Even so, Deadpool & Wolverine - despite its gore, violence, and language - I would still say is mostly okay for ages 12 & up, so hopefully they can sort of find a middle ground like that that also works for a Spider-Man team up, but obviously we won't have to worry about that until the time actually comes so I won't waste much time pondering the ifs.
I do hope Hugh Jackman does this until he's 90.
