For this threequel, a pair of Canadians—Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy—know what the audience wants: a story about two other famous Canucks, and deliver just that.
★★★☆☆
How long can Marvel and Ryan Reynolds keep pushing this? It’s a question that’s lingered for almost fifteen years. Marvel has long teased the idea of Wolverine and, to a lesser extent, Deadpool joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). They briefly crossed paths in the lacklustre 20th Century Fox film X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), which, despite its flaws, was a step up from X-Men: The Last Stand. 24 years after the first instalment Deadpool & Wolverine digs up the ruins of the former 20th Century Fox franchise and gives the former company a proper eulogy. This latest instalment prompts reflection on a franchise that has seen both highs and lows, yet continues to resonate with fans nostalgic for simpler, standalone stories.
In other words, this is another instalment of Marvel’s greatest hits, the non-canon version. The soundtrack echoes that style, a mix of familiar hits and crowd-pleasers that, similar to its heroic dynamic, don’t easily fit together but are enjoyable enough all on their own. Reynolds does his typical wisecracking schtick, paired with a buddy so as not to wear out his welcome, the polite Canadian that he is. Jackman is an excellent foil, turning in his best Wolverine performance yet. The seven years off from playing the character have allowed him to more naturally imbue the sense of loss his character carries with him; director Shawn Levy’s light touch is exactly how Logan needed to be handled being reintroduced, and the performance might be surprising were it not for Levy’s career-long ability to generate great performances out of light material.
While Marvel has yet to replicate the monumental success of Avengers: Endgame (2019), recent efforts like Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) have come close, using nostalgia as a creative anchor. Similarly, Deadpool & Wolverine taps into the nostalgia of Fox’s Marvel era, a nod to fans of the earlier X-Men films.
Both Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have navigated comic book universes deftly, avoiding the entanglements that burdened other MCU actors. While Deadpool & Wolverine flirts with self-referential humour and the pitfalls of franchise fatigue, Levy avoids adding too much weight to the proceedings and keeping the tone light, avoiding the massive tonal inconsistencies recent Marvel Universe projects have suffered from. Remixing the franchise’s familiar style, the script never loses its grip on the albeit barebones story, ensuring accessibility for both die-hard fans and casual viewers.
Ryan Reynolds, an earnest salesman in his own right, has resurrected his career from forgettable films to blockbuster hits. Deadpool 2 faltered, losing some of the original’s charm under new direction, but Reynolds has found new energy through his partnership with Levy.
The absorption of 20th Century Fox looms—literally—large over this film, with Deadpool and Wolverine fighting in its ruins and many nods to the Fox-era superheroes woven throughout. Emma Corrin shines as Cassandra Nova, Professor Xavier’s sister who rules the void of forgotten comic book characters, injecting an intriguing presence without succumbing to typical Disney villain tropes. Similarly notable is Matthew Macfadyen’s portrayal of Paradox, a Time Variance Authority officer responsible for looking after Deadpool’s universe (or so it seems). Macfadyen lends some complexity to a character with little going on in the script department.
The Verdict
Overall, Deadpool & Wolverine is a more competent and consistent film than Deadpool 2, feeling like a step forward for Marvel and an admission of its recent faults. Although it relies heavily on nostalgia, Deadpool & Wolverine manages to entertain, making it a worthy rental—despite not quite hitting the mark for theatre viewing.
Words by Will Hume
Deadpool & Wolverine is in cinemas now.
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