Deadpool & Wolverine (??.??.??)

Some actors and roles are just made for each other, and Ryan Reynolds and Marvel’s Deadpool are one such pair. Snarky, irreverent, and hilarious, the merc with a mouth was always a natural fit for Canada's second-best Ryan, so nerds everywhere rejoiced when it was announced that he would continue in the role even after FOX was bought by Disney and the fictional universe that his version of the character existed in was discontinued. Deadpool, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first permanent transplant, would get a third film, but this time it would take place in the world of Iron Man, Captain America, and other fan-favorite Avenging heroes.

Deadpool & Wolverine, a threequel that also sees the return of Hugh Jackman’s iconic version of the latter character, is less of an exciting look forward at what’s ahead for the MCU and more of a fun look back at what came before it. Strictly speaking, the film isn’t perfect; the simple plot on its face isn’t terribly interesting and has numerous holes, the villain is cool and excellently portrayed but only has the vaguest motivations, and there are some noticeable pacing issues that effect the momentum of the film. But I would be lying if I said that Deadpool & Wolverine didn’t also provide one of the most fun movie-going experiences for me in years.

From start to finish I was grinning like an idiot, enjoying every joke and every well-choreographed moment of ultra violence (D&W is the MCU’s very first R-rated film, and like its predecessors it thoroughly earns this rating) as the mercenary and the mutant slice their way through waves of bad guys as well as each other. The dramatic moments work as well, the writers and actors once again proving that they know what makes these characters so memorable and enduring—Deadpool isn’t just a live-action Loony Tune but a thoroughly messed-up and disturbed individual who hides behind humor and wants to be better, and Wolverine is the best there is at what he does but would rather be anyone else.

The MCU has always had the problem of alienating new viewers who don’t want to watch a few dozen films as homework to understand what is going on in the current film, and I’m sorry to say that Deadpool & Wolverine is, as a celebration of not only the MCU but also the FOX X-Men universe that came before it, probably the worst offender yet. Though I absolutely loved each and every reference and cameo (indeed, they proved to be the best part of my viewing experience), I can comfortably say that most of them will probably go over the heads of all but the most hardcore viewers. I can’t tell you if that is a deal-breaker or not, but I don’t think I would have had nearly as much fun watching Deadpool & Wolverine if I wasn’t already a MCU groupie in it for the long haul. It may not be a perfect movie, but it sure was fun!  

Deadpool & Wolverine is now playing in theaters. 

This review has not been published in the Keizertimes yet and may not be ever at this point, but here is the link anyway-  www.keizertimes.com/