Early on in Deadpool & Wolverine, in one of his infamous fourth-wall-breaking quips, the Merc with the Mouth tells the legendary X-Men hero that he’s joining the long-running Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) at a bit of a low point. Which, to be honest, is an understatement.
Ever since 2019’s genre-defining finale Avengers: Endgame, Marvel has been trying to recreate that euphoric magic — to little avail. Between the glut of mediocre TV shows and lackluster movies over the past years, the now-bloated Marvel Cinematic Universe is indeed at its lowest point since the franchise exploded onto the scene with 2008’s Iron Man. But with the savagely hilarious and violently kinetic Deadpool & Wolverine (Marvel’s first R-rated movie for a reason, and it really shouldn’t be the last), the studio has once again caught lightning in a bottle, delivering a cinematic experience on par with the very funniest and most thrilling in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
A Franchise at Crossroads
The MCU has been on a rollercoaster ride since Endgame. The challenge of living up to such a monumental achievement has seen the franchise struggling to regain its footing. Marvel has tried expanding its universe through a variety of TV shows and movies, but none have captured the same magic. The question on many fans’ minds has been whether Marvel can ever reach those heights again, or whether the golden era of superhero cinema has passed.
Enter Deadpool & Wolverine — a movie that doesn’t just flirt with the idea of recapturing that magic but fully embraces it with a wild, unapologetic romp through the multiverse. This film is a breath of fresh air, signaling that Marvel might just be getting back on track.
Plot Overview: A Chaotic Duo
There’s not much to say about the plot of Deadpool & Wolverine without giving too much away, but the basics are simple enough (for a franchise that leans heavily into its multiverse, anyway): The film is set six years after the events of Deadpool 2, and Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) has hung up his Deadpool costume and weapons (so, so many weapons), choosing to live a relatively quiet life with his loved ones.
However, peace is short-lived in the Marvel Universe. The Time Variance Authority (TVA), an organization that monitors the timelines of the multiverse, decides to step in, led by Matthew Macfadyen’s enigmatic Mr. Paradox. Their intervention sets into motion a chain of events that pairs the foul-mouthed, violently destructive former mercenary with the equally foul-mouthed, violently destructive mutant Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman).
The synergy between them is a match made in Marvel Cinematic Universe heaven, even when they’re beating each other to a bloody pulp. (Yes, Jackman and Reynolds both starred in the stunningly terrible X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but the less said about that movie, the better.)
Wolverine’s Return: A Risk Worth Taking
Going into Deadpool & Wolverine, there was a lingering question of whether reviving Jackman’s Wolverine would cheapen 2017’s Logan, the final chapter in the “Wolverine” trilogy and a pitch-perfect send-off for the sacrificial hero.
Logan was a rare superhero film that transcended its genre, becoming a poignant meditation on aging, mortality, and legacy. It was a high note for Wolverine, and many fans were wary of undoing that emotional climax by bringing him back.
But thanks to the timeline shenanigans that have become a hallmark of the MCU, Deadpool & Wolverine manages to pay proper tribute to Logan while creating a worthwhile new version of Wolverine just as complex and three-dimensional as the original — angry and quick to unsheathe his adamantium-infused claws, yes, but broken, scarred, and just as human as the rest of us.
This new chapter for Wolverine doesn’t negate his past but instead adds layers to his character, showing that even heroes can have a second act.
Action-Packed Chaos with Heart
Deadpool & Wolverine may revel in its eye-popping profanity and flood of unsubtle jokes directed at Marvel and 20th Century Fox (which distributed the previous “Deadpool” movies and was acquired by Marvel-owning Disney in 2019), but the movie truly comes to life when the claws pop out and the bullets start flying.
The action sequences in this film are some of the best the MCU has delivered since the beautifully choreographed battles in Captain America: Civil War. The fights are gory, kinetic, and almost over the top — but they’re also mesmerizing to watch as the two protagonists wreak havoc on those in their way (and each other!) as they try to right the wrongs of their past.
What sets these action scenes apart is the palpable sense of fun. It’s clear that the filmmakers embraced the absurdity of pairing these two violent, larger-than-life characters, and the result is pure cinematic joy. It doesn’t hurt that Deadpool & Wolverine has the most ridiculous, crowd-pleasing soundtrack — everything from NSYNC to Madonna — blasting as blood is spilled and bones are broken.
But beneath the humor and the gore, the film doesn’t shy away from heavier topics: grief, regret, belonging, self-doubt, love. Wade and Logan have experienced great loss in their lives, and the scars show in everything they do.
A Love Letter to Marvel Fans
In the end, Deadpool & Wolverine is the ultimate love letter to Marvel fans. The cameos and references are aplenty and brilliant (the audience at my screening gasped more than once), the source material is treated with respect, and, best of all, it’s pure, unadulterated fun.
For a franchise that has been searching for its soul, Deadpool & Wolverine feels like a step in the right direction. It’s a reminder that the MCU can still surprise, entertain, and, most importantly, make us care about its characters. It finally looks like Marvel is back in fighting shape.
Final Verdict: Marvel’s R-Rated Renaissance
Deadpool & Wolverine is a triumphant return to form for Marvel, blending irreverent humor with intense action and emotional depth. It’s a movie that understands what made the MCU great in the first place and isn’t afraid to push boundaries to create something fresh and exciting.
It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of these characters and a hopeful sign that the MCU still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last time Marvel ventures into R-rated territory.
Rating: 8/10
(P.S. Yes, the equally sweet and crude credits are worth sticking around for.)
