My introduction to comic book movies (CBM) came with X-Men (2000). I didn’t get to watch it in cinemas since I was only eight at the time, which was probably for the best. But when I eventually saw it on TV, I was captivated by the mutants, especially Rogue.
As a child, I couldn’t articulate why Rogue was my favorite, but I was always puzzled by Wolverine being the franchise’s central character. Growing up, Wolverine seemed to me like just a ripped guy with knives coming out of his hands. This was far less interesting than the abilities of nearly every other main character. Rogue’s power, the ability to siphon someone else’s abilities and memories just by touching them, seemed far more fascinating.
Rogue’s plight, being deprived of something as human as physical contact or risking literally killing someone, is a compelling narrative. Her abilities affect every aspect of her life, making her both admirable and fearful—encapsulating the essence of what the X-Men movies are about.
Wolverine, on the other hand, was just a buff guy with some serious issues requiring a lifetime of therapy. It wasn’t until my recent watch of the Wolverine spinoff movies, particularly Logan, that I became a fan of the character.
When Deadpool & Wolverine was announced, I was more excited about the X-Men joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and seeing Deadpool than another Wolverine-centric story.
After seeing Marvel’s R-rated heroes in action, I understand why Wolverine was chosen to be introduced alongside Deadpool. I am cautiously optimistic that Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios and primary producer of the MCU, will handle the X-Men well, especially considering how 20th Century Fox mismanaged the franchise.
According to IMDb, the synopsis of Deadpool & Wolverine reads, “Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is recovering from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds). They team up to defeat a common enemy.” While this is one of the most barebones synopses I’ve ever read, it’s not inaccurate. However, it’s misleading because, make no mistake, while Wolverine is a prominent character, it is still very much Deadpool’s story.
The film essentially follows Deadpool enlisting the help of a Wolverine variant to save his universe. It functions as both a fun buddy cop/heroes’ journey film and a pseudo-sendoff of the Fox Universe.
Jackman and Reynolds are a magnetic pair on screen, making every scene without them feel like filler. This is a double-edged sword because, with the exception of Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), other characters fall to the wayside. However, this wasn’t a major issue for me because the film is anchored by its titular characters. Audience members going to see Deadpool & Wolverine for Deadpool and Wolverine will likely have a blast.
The dynamic between Deadpool and Wolverine is one of the film’s highlights. Deadpool’s irreverence paired with Wolverine’s broodiness provides much-needed balance. My biggest gripe with the Wolverine films is their excessive seriousness, while the Deadpool films sometimes trade depth for jokes. Deadpool & Wolverine strikes a better balance, though at times it could still reel in the indulgence.
However, the film falters when it comes to the “Fox Universe’s funeral” aspect. While cameos and fan-service are expected, they sometimes bloat the runtime and detract from the core story, making the ending feel rushed.
While fans of the Fox Universe will likely enjoy the cameos, the film’s penchant for excess highlights one of the MCU’s biggest flaws in Phases Four and Five—nostalgia porn. Some moments could have been cut in favor of fleshing out the story more. Wolverine, despite being central, doesn’t have much to do that doesn’t involve Deadpool, impacting his character development.
Overall, Deadpool & Wolverine is a fun ride that excels in entertainment but falters in storytelling nuance. Fans will likely find it better than some of the MCU’s recent duds, but those hoping the X-Men will save the MCU from its current rut may want to wait.