Late last year, one of the biggest pieces of movie news in a while was released when it was announced that Marvel Studios’ Deadpool franchise would get at least one more movie in the form of Deadpool & Wolverine. As bits and pieces of news about the movie dropped over time, the third entry in that franchise became one of the most anticipated movies for 2024. The result has, interestingly been mixed, with the movie receiving a 74% score among critics on Rotten Tomatoes to date but a 94% score from audiences on the site. Considering Marvel Studios’ current slate for the next few years (up through 2027), there is no sign of another Deadpool movie anytime soon. If in fact this is Deadpool’s last entry in the MCU (at least for the foreseeable future) then it is a great way to wrap this trilogy. The movie is now available to stream digitally and is set for home physical release Oct. 22 separately on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD, and for those who have yet to watch this movie, it is well worth watching. As a reminder, it is rated “R” so it is not for anyone under 17.
The biggest part of the movie’s success is its story, which will be discussed shortly. The acting on the part of its superstar leads Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds (Sorry, Ryan, for this critic, Jackman gets top billing) plays its own part to the enjoyment. The bonus content that accompanies the movie in its home release puts the finishing touch to the whole of the movie. They will also be examined later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the movie. All things considered they make Deadpool & Wolverine one of the best new theatrical releases to come along this year.
Deadpool & Wolverine, the third and potentially last entry in Marvel Studios’ Deadpool franchise, is a surprisingly enjoyable new offering from Marvel Studios and from said cinematic series. The movie’s success comes in large part through its story. The story in question is a direct tie-in to Marvel and Disney’s Loki series while also being its own story. It finds Deadpool (a.k.a. Wade Wilson) being enlisted by a Time Variance Authority official named Paradox (Matthew McFadyen – Pride & Prejudice, The Three Musketeers, Succession) to save Marvel’s “Sacred Timeline” by saving the timeline’s greatest hero, Wolverine. When it turns out that the Wolverine in question died saving X-23, he ends up using the TVA’s equipment to find another Wolverine variant, this one being the one that so many audiences know from Marvel’s comics and animated series from Fox. He also uses said Wolverine to save not the “Sacred Timeline” but his own universe, putting him at odds with Paradox and leading to the bigger story. This is important to remember as the story progresses as said Logan joins Deadpool and the pair is sent to an outworld of sorts and hunts down Charles Xavier’s twin sister, Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin – The Crown, My Policeman, Lady Chatterly’s Lover). In the process, the duo also encounters some other Marvel heroes in the form of the original Blade (Wesley Snipes – Blade 1-3), Electra, (Jennifer Garner — Daredevil, Electra), Johnny Storm (Chris Evans – Fantastic Four 1 & 2, Captain America 1-3), X-23/Laura (Dafne Keen – Logan, The Acolyte, His Dark Materials), and Gambit (Channing Tatum – G.I. Joe: Retaliation, White House Down, Magic Mike 1-3).
The heroes are not the only blasts from the past. Former villains, such as Juggernaut, Lady Deathstrike, Sabertooth, and even Toad come back here. And having them in that world where certain things and people are sent when they are forgotten (as Electra explained it) almost feels like a thumbing of the nose at Disney for ignoring them in the new MCU. To that end, if that was in fact what was really happening, then it was a great way to virtually attack Disney. This especially as Snipes as Blade states in one scene, “There has only been one Blade and will only be one.” For those who maybe do not know, Marvel’s attempt at a Blade reboot has had its share of problems, losing two directors and now been scrapped from Marvel’s schedule altogether for the foreseeable future.
Bringing those heroes and villains from Marvel’s days at 20th Century Fox (save for Gambit, since he was not part of the previous X-Men movies and has not gotten his own movie) while also using a giant 20th Century Fox sign in the wasteland where Deadpool and Wolverine find themselves makes the movie in whole honestly a love letter to Marvel’s pre-Disney properties while also reluctantly acknowledging the present of the MCU. Reynolds even addresses this in the bonus content that accompanies the movie in its home release. This will be addressed later. The whole has a happy ending, of course, and will leave Marvel fans and those of the Deadpool franchise feeling completely satisfied.
There is no doubt that the story at the center of Deadpool & Wolverine offers plenty for audiences to appreciate. From its seeming love letter to classic Marvel movies and characters to Deadpool and Wolverine’s own coming to terms with their situations and how they play into the story’s outcome, the whole really is enjoyable for those who allow themselves to be immersed in the story. The story is just one part of what makes this presentation so engaging and entertaining. The work of its cast is just as commendable as the story. Reynolds is just as funny as ever as the infamous “Merc with a mouth,” shooting one-liner after one-liner throughout the movie’s roughly 2-hour time frame. The tension between himself and Wolverine, who has always been known for being that edgy anti-hero makes for such a great “Odd Couple” sort of set up. The way that Reynolds and Jackman go toe to toe constantly shows just how much chemistry they had on and off-screen. It made that tension between the pair entirely believable and the lighter moments between the pair just as great.
On another note, getting back to those former Marvel stars, Snipes leads the way as the infamous “Daywalker” Blade. Even as old as Snipes is and as long as he has been away from his now famed and beloved character, he felt like he had never left Blade. That icy attitude, that coolness under pressure is just as familiar and great as ever, really making one hope that maybe one day audiences will see him one last time sooner rather than later.
On yet another note, Tatum was just as much at home as Gambit. His Cajun accent was spot on as he delivered the few lines that he was given. Maybe that is because as he reveals in his own bonus interview, he grew up a big fan of Gambit, having himself grown up in Louisiana. Thanks to his performance it makes a person hope he will be part of the next X-Men team whenever that movie comes along as part of the MCU. He likely won’t be able to be as foul mouthed as he was in this movie, but the little time on screen he had here made his performance just as believable, leaving hope for more from him sooner rather than later, too.
All things considered their performances and those of their cast mates makes for plenty to appreciate here just as much as the story at the heart of this movie. Those two elements – the story and acting – are still not all that audiences will appreciate. The bonus content that accompanies the movie’s forthcoming home release rounds out its most important elements, one of which being the discussions by Reynolds and Jackman about the story’s genesis. As viewers learn from Reynolds himself, he had been working on the story for Deadpool & Wolverine for years. Jackman adds in his own words, that the concept of Wolverine being “The Worst Wolverine” in this iteration was in fact his own pitch for the story. It makes sense because for the longest time, audiences have come to know Wolverine as being this confident, emotionally strong figure. Here though, what audiences get is more of a flawed, fragile character. It is a notable change of pace for Jackman that allowed him to explore another side of Logan and grow his character and even his acting chops. Clearly that approach and the time that it took to develop this story by the duo and others involved paid off, as it made for so much engagement and entertainment.
The discussions on the movie’s development are just some of the bonuses that add to the viewing experience. Another key bonus is the extensive discussion on the movie’s on-site shooting versus the use of CG. Leaning just how much on-site shooting was done is truly insightful. It explains why the movie really does have that more realistic look. It is something about which viewers do not necessarily think actively in the course of the movie, considering the amount of CG that Marvel has used over the years with its movies. Seeing that director Dean Levy and company intentionally aimed more at using real shooting versus CG is a pleasant reminder that there are still some directors out there who care about making their product enjoyable even in this aspect.
One more bonus that audiences will appreciate is an epilogue of sorts between Peter and a certain other TVA head, B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku – Lovecraft Country, Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them, His House). The scene is short but is a nice final accent to the story. It is interesting that it was a deleted scene and not just another post-credits (or even mid-credits) scene. It puts that last period to the story and in turn helps complete the overall presentation. When everything noted here and the rest of the bonus content is considered collectively, that overall material rounds out Deadpool & Wolverine’s presentation and makes the whole a complete success that will appeal to so many audiences.
Deadpool & Wolverine, the latest of Marvel Studios’ additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is a great way for all involved to close out the Deadpool trilogy and an equally welcome addition to the ever expanding Marvel universe. (Yes, for my fellow science geeks, that pun was intended). The movie’s success comes in part through its featured story, which follows the unlikely partnership of the two iconic anti-heroes as they work to better themselves while also save the entire MCU. The comedy and the action incorporated into the story makes for so much engagement and entertainment. The work of the movie’s cast adds even more to the appeal because each performance is so believable. The bonus content that accompanies the movie in its home release puts the finishing touch to the whole because of the background that it offers to the overall presentation. Each item examined is key in its own way to the whole of the movie’s presentation. All things considered they make Deadpool & Wolverine not just another great addition to Marvel Studios’ MCU, but to this year’s field of new theatrical releases.
Deadpool & Wolverine is available to stream now. It is scheduled for release on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Oct. 22. More information on this and other titles from Marvel Studios is available at:
Website: https://www.marvel.com
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