Cert – 15, Run-time – 2 hours 8 minutes, Director – Shawn Levy
In need of a Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) to save his universe, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) finds himself thrown into the Time Variance Authority’s Void, facing off against telekinetic Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) in order to escape.
Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) doesn’t exactly come crashing into the MCU, nor does he bend to the Marvel rules (aside from Feige’s apparent one strict rule of no cocaine). The opening stages which see a bloody dance fight following a fourth-wall breaking, meta opening show that this is very much the same merc with a mouth as before, even after the Disney-Fox merger which makes for a number of strong gags throughout.
It’s been six years since we last saw the character and instead of a full catch-up we jump in with a convoluted set-up involving the Time Variance Authority, represented by Matthew McFadyen’s Paradox, informing Deadpool that his universe is at risk of destruction. In need of an anchor to save it he goes in search of a Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) that won’t relentlessly attack him to bring back to his home. The Wolverine he finds is a washed-up, drunken version grieving the world that he failed to save, reluctantly and forcibly dragged along for the ride. A ride which leads the pair to the TVA’s Void, where telekinetic Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) rules.
Once here the film truly finds its footing. For those who aren’t a fan of Marvel or Deadpool there may not be a huge deal here to enjoy, however for fans of both, and some light ribbing of the MCU, there’s a good deal here to enjoy. Reynolds and Jackman make excellent sparring-partners as a the long-awaited duo bounce off each other with highly entertaining contrast, bringing about a number of needle-drop fight scenes – one sudden scrap which sees a car beaten up more than the titular pairing is almost shot like it’s playing out as a frenemy sex scene for Deadpool. While Corrin may not have a great deal of screen-time it’s clear that they too are having a good time being a part of the film, and makes the most of her time when on screen. Holding their own amongst all the in-jokes and references going on around Nova in The Void.
With the road-trip style the film takes, and the barrage of nods, references, cameos, fourth-wall shattering and generally meta moments you could almost expect the Animaniacs to crop up at some points, especially when other franchises are brought up outside of the superhero genre. There’s a number of laugh-out-loud funny beats throughout, and this third entry in the Deadpool franchise, which even though an official entry in the MCU appears to stand aside from the rest and not just in terms of tone and style, may just be the funniest of the three so far, and as much of this comes down to the performances as it does the overall very-Deadpool tone.
A very-Deadpool tone that’s shown in both the action and comedy. There’s an enjoyable nature to the punch-ups, shoot-outs and various other forms of fisticuffs. From the opening scene the blood splatters and flows across the screen in entertaining fashion (it’s a good thing the red suit remains unchanged, although freshly tailored), and often with a solid needle-drop to enhance the moment – one thing’s for sure, the soundtrack brings a lot to this film, including a couple of brief jokes; Hugh Jackman’s musical outings are brought up more than once.
Overall, Deadpool is very much still free to do what he does best within the MCU. The workings of the Universe in regards to the TVA, a twisting set of details that may confuse even those who have seen both series of Loki, may create initially uneven surfaces, but once set free Ryan Reynolds’ central character has and brings about plenty of fun; alongside Hugh Jackman’s straight-faced return as Wolverine, aware of the laughs and not damaging the reputation of 2017’s still-swansong Logan, something dealt with in the very first scene of the film. This isn’t quite the palate cleanser or break from the Multiverse-building of the MCU that some may have hoped for, but for those invested in both the franchise and Deadpool there’s a good deal to like and enjoy here about the untamed (aside from cocaine – despite the wishes of returning flatmate Blind Al (Leslie Uggams)) merc with a mouth.
Deadpool is at his most Deadpool in his MCU introduction. While the multiversal exposition might feel convoluted, once free to create meta havoc, alongside an equally great comedic turn from Hugh Jackman, there’s plenty of laughs and entertaining action in Deadpool & Wolverine, if largely for existing fans
Just A Little Bit Random 