“Deadpool & Wolverine” is the latest installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following the previous hit films to feature the title characters, director Shawn Levy has made the ideal movie to formally introduce mutants into the MCU.
The main story takes place six years after the events of “Deadpool 2.” As the Time Variance Authority (who feature prominently in the “Loki” series) seeks to hold Deadpool accountable for the changes made to the timeline, he must form a reluctant alliance with Wolverine to prevent the collapse of their respective worlds.
This film marks a number of firsts for the franchise. On top of officially bringing Deadpool, the X-Men and numerous other Marvel characters previously under the 20th Century Fox banner to the MCU, it’s this continuity’s first movie to have an R rating (with a reboot of the “Blade” franchise set to follow in the near future). As such, not only will fans of the characters’ previous films get more of the gloriously over-the-top violence and profane, tongue-in-cheek humor they’ve come to expect, but it marks a great way to bridge the past, present and future of Marvel on film. Levy is a director that knows how to play to the strengths of both Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as actors; the film’s blend of both comedy and surprising dramatic weight was heavily influenced by the classic “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
On a budget of $200 million, the film does not disappoint as the first R-rated entry in the MCU. Though an accomplished cast and crew does make for an entertaining display of spectacular effects-driven action and clever banter, it’s the simplest things that make the biggest impact, such as a comic-accurate Wolverine costume in live action for the first time. The soundtrack boasts a wide variety of songs from multiple genres and decades, featuring everything from the Platters’ “Only You” to “Bye Bye Bye” from N-SYNC. Without any spoilers, the climactic scene to save Deadpool’s timeline from Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) is set to a masterful arrangement of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.”
While the Multiverse Saga of the MCU has certainly had its ups and downs, “Deadpool & Wolverine” has carved a place for mutants to join the Marvel legend. With its opening weekend ranking among the biggest to date (with $205 million domestically as of the writing), it’s highly recommended as the ideal welcome for the X-Men to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
At a glance:
Directed by Shawn Levy (Based on characters from Marvel Comics)
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Morena Baccarin, Karan Soni, Leslie Uggams and Emma Corrin
Rating: R
My Rating: 5/5