DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Review: To Say Or Not To Say

Introduction

At the end of my The Fall Guy review, I wrote: “While there is still a load of movies left to see this year, I have a hard time believing any will be as entertaining as The Fall Guy (yes, I’m well aware Deadpool 3 is one of them).” To which Deadpool & Wolverine said, “Let’s fucking go.” Literally, they both say that exact line in the film.

While The Fall Guy is indeed an exceptionally entertaining movie, Deadpool & Wolverine absolutely wipes its dick(s) with it. What, too crude? What movie did you think you were going to read about? If that language is too much for you, you really, really shouldn’t see this film.

Obviously, I loved Deadpool & Wolverine. And I mean every single second of it. But that also presents a problem for me. Even for movies I gush over, I find plenty to write about without spoiling things. This time, there were so many times I gasped that I almost passed out from too much oxygen. But, that’s partly because I refused to watch any trailers, read any interviews, or even look up the cast.

Breaking It Down

I’ve done all those things now that I’ve seen the film, so I at least can rest easy knowing certain elements have been public for a while. Here are a few questions I can answer without ruining the myriad surprises.

This being the third Deadpool movie and an official MCU film, do I need to rewatch any Deadpool or MCU movies or series before watching Deadpool & Wolverine?

No, unless you have the memory of the guy in Memento. All you need is a vague understanding of the Time Variance Authority (TVA) from Loki, the Multiverse, and that Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Deadpool’s (Ryan Reynolds) superpower is they heal to the point of being practically immortal.

Are you sure? The plots of MCU movies have gotten really convoluted lately.

Yes, I’m sure. Deadpool is trying to save his friends and timeline from being pruned out of existence by a TVA administrator called Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen). That is simple.

How does Wolverine fit in this picture?

All I will say is this is the first good surprise of the movie – masterful writing to make use of the multiverse. I will also say it’s tied to the previous X-Men movies, which is obvious since Jackman is reprising the role of Wolverine. But I promise you don’t need to have seen any of the X-Men movies. This film provides the explainer.

Is Mr. Paradox the villain?

Yes, but not the only main villain. And the other one is deliciously portrayed by Emma Corrin.

You’re not even going to tell me Corrin’s character’s name?

Nope.

Is there a really fun opening title sequence?

Naturally. And it’s as funny and unique as the last two films’ openings.

Does it look like the actors are enjoying themselves?

Immensely. And not just Reynolds, Jackman, and Corrin, but every actor, even the ones that don’t have lines. Jackman, especially, looks like he is having the time of his life, delivering a Wolverine that cusses, kills, and banters every bit as good as Deadpool/Reynolds. The two of them together like this is easily as satisfying as Reynolds delivering a true Deadpool two movies ago.

I heard rumors that Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Rob McElhenney, and dozens of other notables might be in the film. Any truth to those?

Ah, ah, ah. Some are true, some are false. I’m not even going to comment on the ones that were publicly confirmed. The only thing I will say is some are similar to what was done in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Others are from past projects that never made it through production.

I thought you said I wouldn’t have to do any homework before watching this movie.

You don’t. The references explain themselves. Plus, the multiverse.

Is the movie as “blue” as the previous two, now that Disney owns the rights?

Yes, it’s still rated R, and very “blue.” There are no sex scenes, but blood flies in buckets, almost as much as the word fuck. And the sexual jokes are varied, plentiful, and hilarious.

Do the fourth wall breaks still play well?

Do they ever. And nobody is safe from the Merc with the Mouth. Like John Oliver did to AT&T on Last Week Tonight, Deadpool slams Disney and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige on more than one occasion. Multiple times, I was almost in tears I was laughing so hard.

Sounds like the movie is worth the watch. Where do you rank it in the franchise?

It might be the best of the three Deadpool movies and I realize what I’m saying. One critic at my screening said it was top five in the entire MCU.

Let’s fucking go!

I know.

Rating: It goes without saying that I shouldn’t ask for any money back after watching it. But, should I see it in IMAX? Abso-fucking-lutely and more than twice.

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