Is Deadpool & Wolverine Even Good?
The self-proclaimed Marvel Jesus' first MCU outing is crass, bloody and meta.
Intro
A week ago (July 24th to be exact), I saw Deadpool & Wolverine in theaters. This was my first Deadpool movie, which sounds odd, considering it is the third and (seemingly) final installment in his franchise. After leaving the theater, I walked out with a satisfying standalone adventure co-starring Australia’s own Hugh Jackman. First things first, does prior X-Men and MCU knowledge help in understanding the events of this film? Yes. In particular, Logan and Loki. However, the film also has many cameos and surprises that tie-in to the overall X-Men Universe, as well as the overall 20th Century Fox era of Marvel. I’m going to divide this review in four parts, rating each of those parts on a 10-point system; said parts are:
Plot/Structure
Performances/Humor
Action/Impact1
Production/Cameos
Plot/Structure
The plot of Deadpool & Wolverine borrows from the MCU in many aspects, while also integrating the distinct style of the X-Men movies. It’s a middle area between those two realms and considering it purely MCU or purely Fox X-Men would be inaccurate. It’s a blend of both worlds. However, it is also, sadly, one of the weaker aspects of the film. Due to filming and production being postponed due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, some of the ideas present feel half-baked at points. That’s not to say that the story is bad, it just has a lot of jagged edges. There are points where the plot is riddled with convenient events and unexplained plot-holes. The story structure is also basic and your traditional MCU. A clear beginning, middle and end, with a linear progression and some emotional moments sprinkled in. However, in what the story lacks, the rest of the film makes up for. 6/10.
Performances/Humor
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s performances, from a character standpoint, are nearly perfect. Deadpool is how you’d expect him, and Hugh Jackman presents a mix of many of his Wolverine performances. Particularly the ferociousness of the original X-Men trilogy, the vulnerability of Logan and the more fed-up Days of Future Past. Emma Corrin plays Cassandra Nova very well, and, without going into spoilers, her presence is intimidating and sharp. The supporting actors, like Matthew Macfadyen, also do well. The humor is your typical over-the-top meta & crass jokes you’d expect from Deadpool, plus some self-deprecation not just to our characters, but the MCU and Fox Universe. If you’re into that, you’ll love it; if not, you’ll hate it. 9/10.
Action/Impact
The action in Deadpool & Wolverine is exciting, fast-paced and very creative. It may be a bit too fast paced, but I think the balance of slower moments and action is good; minus a fight scene in the middle of the film which I thought was, although fun, unnecessary. The fights also showcase each character’s powers well, and they last as long as they need to. As for the impact the movie has, it’s relatively standalone, as for many modern MCU projects. It mainly affects the Fox X-Men Universe rather than the MCU, however I may be proven wrong in the future. 8/10.
Production/Cameos
The production design and the sets of Deadpool & Wolverine was done by the late Raymond Chan (may he rest in peace). Some set pieces look very realistic and serve the stylized look of the film well; very colorful and barren at the same time. A few can look a little too sterile at points and the realism is gone, however it still feels fun and the characters interact well with the space their given. As for the cameos, without going into spoilers, I am amazed at how they managed to pull them off. They not only arrive from the X-Men Universe, but also 20th Century Fox Marvel Universe. There are also background set piece cameos that are stellar, and each character is given a nice and proper sendoff. 8/10.
Conclusion
Overall, Deadpool & Wolverine is a fun ride through old and new, given our characters good motivation and arcs. Funny moments, standout action, nice scenery, all working greatly at the expense of a lackluster plot. Check it out if you’re a diehard MCU fan or completionist, avoid if you have disliked the franchise prior or haven’t been fond of it; it really is one for the fans. 9/10.
Impact refers to the impact the film has on the overall MCU, not the impact the action has on the plot.