Deadpool & Wolverine
★★★
As a fan of the Deadpool franchise, I found this latest installment entertaining with Ryan Reynolds’ signature irreverent humor and dirty jokes that had me laughing out loud. The fourth-wall breaks and absurd comedy really worked for me, but my main issue was that a lot of the humor seemed to cater specifically to those deeply invested in not just the Marvel universe but also the behind-the-scenes dealings, like Disney’s acquisition of Century Fox.
While I enjoyed watching it, I had to admit that this movie wouldn’t work for everyone—especially casual viewers like my wife, who would likely miss a good portion of the in-jokes and references. Also, I’m personally over the whole multiverse storyline, and this movie leaning into that again felt a bit stale. Sure, it’s cool to see different versions of Deadpool and Wolverine, but it’s a trope that’s losing its impact for me.
That said, the film still had some enjoyable moments, especially the cameos. But it felt like it tried to do too much: too many pop music cues, excessive violence, and just a little too much of Ryan Reynolds’ quippiness. It’s a fun ride, but it could’ve been more. The stakes felt low, and in the end, it was a good time, but not groundbreaking.
