Deadpool & Wolverine Review

By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)

This review is spoiler-free.

Deadpool & Wolverine is the highly-anticipated team-up between two of Marvel’s most iconic anti-heroes, resulting in a wild rollercoaster of humour, high-octane action, and surprising emotional depth.

Ryan Reynolds finally enters the MCU as the irreverent Deadpool, with Hugh Jackman reprising his iconic role as Wolverine. The real-world kinship between the two actors transfers seamlessly to the screen, as the chemistry between Reynolds and Jackman is electric, and their banter is one of the film’s highlights. From Deadpool’s relentless teasing to Wolverine’s gruff retorts, their dynamic is both hilarious and endearing. One of the film’s strengths lies in its ability to balance humour with heart. Their contrasting personalities – Deadpool’s flamboyant, reckless behaviour and Wolverine’s stoic, disciplined nature – create a compelling dynamic that evolves throughout the film. These moments of vulnerability add depth to their characters, making their journey more than just a spectacle of violence and comedy.

The supporting cast, many of which return from the franchise’s previous two instalments also includes cameos from some very familiar faces, as well as some new additions, contributing significantly to the film’s charm. Of the new arrivals, I thought Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr Paradox was the pick of the bunch, and loved his performance from start to finish. We also got the inclusion of Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova, although while she had some good moments, I wasn’t overly blown away by her performance. Nova felt a little undercooked as a character, which was probably one of the few faults with the movie. As for the cameos, one in particular impacted me in an almost spiritual way, and even now I am writing this review, I am still thinking to myself “holy f****, they did it!”. 

Storywise, while it does have some of the usual superhero movie framework and pitfalls, it does feel unique, even when compared to the previous two Deadpool movies. Their objectives are made clear from the first chaotic scene of the movie and the pacing and plot continue to deliver in fun and exciting ways. The film never lulls, nor does it feel like it is progressing too quickly, missing vital and much-needed pauses. It succeeded at every possible level in telling a wonderful, dramatic and humorous story.

The action sequences are expertly choreographed, blending Wolverine’s brutal, claw-slicing combat with Deadpool’s acrobatic, gun-slinging mayhem. The film also doesn’t shy away from its 18-rating, as right from the start it delivers the expected gore and irreverent humour that fans of the Deadpool franchise crave. The cinematography captures the gritty essence of Wolverine’s world and the chaotic energy of Deadpool’s antics. Familiar readers will know, that I love a well-executed one-shot, and boy, does Deadpool & Wolverine on that front! That was the moment I truly shifted in my seat and sat forward. As for the soundtrack, there are some great song choices chosen for key scenes that work well to help land the jokes and on-screen visuals.

And finally, the last thing I can say about Deadpool & Wolverine is that this is a film you need to experience on the big screen. It is the type of movie that invokes such a loud crowd reaction, and placing yourself in that setting will enhance the movie even further.

Deadpool & Wolverine brings the MCU back to life in this unforgettable team-up overflowing with outrageous humour, high-octane action, and surprising emotional depth.