Deadpool & Wolverine
★ ★ ★
The Wolverine died at the end of the film ‘Logan,’ and that’s a big problem for Deadpool, also known as Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds). Deadpool resides in what’s known as “the sacred universe,’ or Universe 616, in a collection of films under the umbrella of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU as fans know it.
The MCU encompasses a great deal of Marvel Comics super heroes, many whose storylines connect and overlap with each other. The thing to understand here is that there are a lot of characters with superpowers residing in a set of films that span several galaxies and the multiverse (which is a term for infinite alternate realities and timelines).
With me so far?
So Deadpool’s universe is going to collapse upon itself because the “anchor being,” the one who holds the threads of that universe together, has died. You guessed it, that anchor being is Wolverine, also known as Logan.
Wade Wilson with friends
© 2024 Disney
Unable to accept that Wolverine is dead, and to prevent the collapse of his universe, Deadpool takes it upon himself to find the anchor-being version of Wolverine. Upon discovering that he is actually dead, Deadpool jumps across several timelines, meeting several iterations of Wolverine (all played by Hugh Jackman) until finding the one who might be able to be a replacement anchor being.
Wolverine reject’s Deadpool’s attempts to go to his timeline, and this results in them fighting, stabbing and shooting one another – several times across a few different sequences.
Wolverine, claws out
© 2024 Disney
Wolverine is usually a deadpan serious character and Deadpool is often wrapped up in his own sarcastic foul-mouthed wit. They’re about as night-and-day as Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon series.
Eventually, Deadpool and Wolverine stop fighting one another and team up to save the sacred timeline.
Deadpool and Wolverine is filled with bloody action, fantastically violent death and the smart aleck humor Deadpool is known for. It’s certainly a fun film, even if it does get bogged down in the confines of its own plot with scenarios that take the characters much longer to get themselves out of than they should.
But it’s getting tired.
This film doesn’t offer much in terms of character growth. Sure, they put their differences aside to work together, but that comes from the need to serve their own purposes even if the greater good is at the surface.
The motivation of a collapsing universe has become gimmicky. We’ve seen it before and that alone isn’t enough for us to really root for their cause.
MCU fans will appreciate, as I did, some lesser-known super hero appearances that I won’t dare spoil here.
Deadpool preapares to fight the TVA
© 2024 Disney
We’re supposed to like this film because it’s Deadpool & Wolverine. I think most of us will like this film, at least during the first viewing.
When comparing Deadpool & Wolverine to the last two Deadpool films and the last Wolverine film, Logan, I have a sneaking suspicion that many fans will, after more reflection, find this to be a hollow storyline.
Still, the action is fun, and the violence is cartoonish and over-the-top. It’s a good way to pass the time in a dark theatre.
Running Time: 2h 08m
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Written by: Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, Shawn Levy
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney
Action, Adventure, Comedy
