Movie Review: Deadpool & Wolverine. A Marvelous Finale.

Six years after the last installment, the third (and possibly final) installment of the Deadpool film series has finally arrived, and this time, he isn’t alone. Wolverine has also made his return for what may be the best buddy superhero movie to date. 

Actor Ryan Johnson has wanted this team-up for years. Hugh Jackman had previously announced his retirement from the character, but 2022 changed all of that with a surprise announcement that, thanks to the MCU, Reynold’s dream could finally come true.



So, was this epic team-up worth the years of waiting? Will this multiverse tracking adventure affect the MCU going forward? Will Deadpool get to eat his microwave chimichangas? Let’s find out.

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING SECTION CONTAINS SPOILERS. READER DISCRESSION IS ADVISED.

The film starts with Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, trying to live a civilian life after feeling like he doesn’t have a purpose. However, during his birthday party with his friends and family (minus T.J. Miller’s Weasel), the TVA (Time Variance Authority) apprehends him under the orders of Paradox (an alternate version of Mobius). He is given the opportunity to join Earth-616 and become an Avenger.

However, his universe, Earth-10005, is dying due to the “prime being” dying. It is revealed that his universe’s “prime being” was Logan, aka Wolverine, from the 2017 Logan movie, making them take place in the same universe (which makes little sense given the time frame). Wade then travels the multiverse looking for another Logan to try and replace his before his reality is wiped from existence while the TVA tries to stop him.



We get a montage of various versions of Logan, including one played by Henry Cavill of Man of Steel fame. They even throw a quick jab at the DCEU. Wade then comes across a version of Logan drunk at a bar, all depressed, and happens to be wearing the iconic blue and yellow suit.

It is revealed that Logan let his universe down and is not a worthy replacement. Wade and Logan are then sent to the Void, a world out of reality where the remnants of old worlds are sent. In this world, we find that Cassandra Nova, the sister of Charles Xavier, rules the reals with various underlings made up of various former X-Men characters who may be recognizable if you are familiar with them.



In the Void, they encounter several familiar faces, such as Chris Evans’ Human Torch, Wesley Snipe’s Blade, Channing Tatum as Gambit, Jennifer Garner’s Electra, and Dafne Keen’s X-23. While not seen, they mention other characters like Daredevil (Ben Affleck), Punisher (presumable Thomas Jane’s version), and Quicksilver (possibly Evan Peters). We also meet a version of Deadpool called Nicepool and his pet, Dogpool.

After storming Cassandra’s keep with the group of outcasts, both Wade and Logan are able to make it back to Wade’s reality before a reality-deleting explosion is set off. Cassandra, now aware of the device, wishes to steal it for herself in order to destroy the multiverse. She brings with her an army of Deadpool variants to battle out heroes, including Lady Deadpool, played by Blake Lively (sadly, she and Deadpool don’t kiss like in the comic).



Wade and Logan defeat Cassandra by overloading the bomb and set things straight with the TVA. Wade’s reality is healed and is no longer a threat. Logan stays on Wade’s timeline, and they become friends. The film ends with a party at Wade’s as he now finds a purpose,  protecting those he cares about.

We are then treated to a montage of behind-the-scenes footage and clips from the various Fox Marvel productions showing 25 years of history. Not just X-Men movies, but even a small look at both interactions of the Fantastic Four and Daredevil.

ANALASYS:

So it turns out the Fox X-Men universe has NOT merged with the MCU and is still its own timeline, they simply crossed over like in Spider-Man: No Way Home. So while Deadpool may not be in the MCU proper, we still may get a chance to see him in something like Avengers: Secret Wars.

The effects and stunt work in this film are amazing, with several incredible sequences showing off the skills of each character. Deadpool and Wolverine fight each other quite a few times in this, too, so it’s not all hugs and kisses.



The film is, first and foremost, an action comedy, and it takes full advantage of its R rating with lots of gore, cussing, and sex jokes. It even ups a lot of the fourth wall humor, with some jokes even being thrown at Kevin Feige, Disney, and the idea of the Multiverse itself and how it is overused. 

However that can also work against it as, like the previous two movies, leans very heavily into randomness and harping on jokes for longer than they need to be. Certain segments feel that they could have been trimmed a bit as some of the character banter can get annoying at times. It also really likes dark humor, so if you have a strong moral compass you may be either rolling your eyes or may become outright uncomfortable. 

I will also say that it is disappointing that some of the rumored cameos never came to be. Halle Berry’s Storm, Nicholas Cage’s Ghost Rider, David Hasselhoff’s Nick Fury, Eric Bana’s Hulk and Matt Salinger’s Captain America all would have been neat appearances and would have made the storming of Cassandra’s fort even more epic, like two armies clashing. 

Overall Rating: 7.8/10



Deadpool & Wolverine gives fans what they ask for (mostly). A team up of epic proportions and will definitely be remembered for a long time. What holds it back is some jokes staying longer than they need to and the amount of dark humor going a little overboard this time around. But if you like that kind of stuff you’ll be right at home.

What did you think of Deadpool & Wolverine? Was it what you expected? Do you think the Deadpool series is over? Or will we see him raise his katanas at least one more time? Let us know your thoughts.