![Henry Willy [pictured left] taking the field with his teammates in a 10-11 loss vs. Saas.](https://ballardtalisman.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_2431.jpg)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s least child-friendly superhero – though he engages more in antics than heroics – returned to the big screen this summer, raking in more than $1.3 billion worldwide and making “Deadpool and Wolverine” the highest grossing movie of the MCU’s fifth phase to date, by far.
“Deadpool and Wolverine,” directed by Shawn Levy, begins with Wade Wilson, also known as “Deadpool” or “Marvel Jesus” (Ryan Reynolds), digging to uncover Wolverine’s adamantium-plated skeleton.
Upon realizing that Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), is dead, Deadpool chats with the skeleton until circumstances thrust him into a brutal, bone-wielding fight scene to the tune of NSYNC’s “BYE-BYE-BYE.” And as Wilson uses the skull and spine as a mace to inflict graphic harm, the audience knows they’re in for a treat.
The movie features prominently the outstanding chemistry of Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, with the former’s gruff seriousness and the latter’s obscene speech pattern creating a perfect balance. Seeing the two characters wrestle with their identity and morality adds depth to their relationship, Wade being heroic-ish and Logan being the unexpectedly fallen hero.
The jokes are immature, obscene and amusing, while the overall movie conveys actual emotion. We understand the pain that both Logan and Wade are going through, but the story never gets bogged down in melancholy.
As for setting, the scenery of “The Void” is varied, conveying its apocalyptic junkyard feel. Concerning special effects, the obvious showcase is the fight scenes: of which there are many to be relished by audiences for their over-the-top action, sheer violence and absolute magnificence. The soundtrack, like in every other “Deadpool” movie, is perfect, with “Like a Prayer” (Madonna) being the signature song.
My one complaint about the movie is that it’s a little slow to start. A lot of the beginning is Wade and Logan walking around, Logan grumbling and Wade deflecting that with humor and them occasionally trying to kill each other (they both heal from anything, so they get frustrated).
Additionally, for a movie that’s mainly entertainment and jokes, they push the multiverse aspect a little too far. Since “Avengers: Endgame,” (2019) Marvel has been obsessed with promoting an MCU with multiple alternate universes and timelines. It hasn’t worked well for them, with movies like “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “AntMan and the Wasp: Quantumania” criticized for their shallowness and sacrifice of story and emotion for references to the Multiverse.
After watching fail after fail after near-success-but-could’ve-been-better from Marvel, it was refreshing to see something genuinely entertaining and well made, despite their obsession with promoting a failing idea.
The plot, a hero saving his universe with the help of other beings, bears some similarities to “Spiderman: No Way Home.” What makes the plot work better for Spiderman is that Peter Parker is a true hero, while Deadpool is a character that audiences love because he wants to do good while consistently making funny and morally debatable choices.
Savior of the Multiverse just isn’t really Deadpool’s style, while a friendly neighborhood Spiderman stepping up to take responsibility for his actions and saving the multiverse in the process is a perfect plotline. The plot in “Deadpool and Wolverine” isn’t shallow, or even bad, just perhaps not appropriate for the character, or not well adapted. It still works, but it feels slightly off.
In many ways, “Deadpool and Wolverine” is a transitional movie. It integrated Deadpool and Wolverine into the greater MCU, without sacrificing characters or entertainment. The conflict is solved, but it leaves space for the characters to appear along other fan favorites in later movies.
Overall, I really enjoyed “Deadpool and Wolverine.” It’s the best Marvel movie I’ve seen in a long time, though that’s admittedly a low bar. I enjoyed the story, the scenery, the soundtrack and shooting, and I’d gladly watch it again.
