Deadpool & Wolverine: The Best Movie of 2024? (No Spoilers)
Marvel is back.
On July 26th, Deadpool & Wolverine exploded onto the big screen with a bang, a whole lot of laughs, and an unbelievable soundtrack. Filled with action, humor, surprising sentimentality, and some truly exceptional cameos, this movie marks a return to form for Marvel beyond our wildest dreams. If you’ve already seen the movie, check out our full review (with spoilers) here.
A lot has changed since we last saw Deadpool on our screens in 2018 in Once Upon a Deadpool. Disney, the owner of Marvel Entertainment since 2009, purchased the rights to Deadpool, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four from 20th Century Fox in March 2019. This delayed the Merc with a Mouth’s much-anticipated third movie and left many fans wondering how his fourth-wall-breaking, R-rated antics would be handled by the typically family-friendly Disney. We needn’t have worried.
Disney takes up the mantle from 20th Century Fox with grace and humility. The callbacks and cameos all honor the long history the studio shares with Marvel. Deadpool & Wolverine is a surprisingly gracious and nostalgic tribute to the studio that brought the X-Men, Wolverine, the Fantastic Four, and many other heroes to modern cinema audiences.
Deadpool is back in all his gory, foul-mouthed, irreverent glory, and he has the Wolverine with him. The opening sequence is one of the best since Starlord’s introduction in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 to “Come And Get Your Love” by Redbone, with Deadpool’s return to the big screen heralded by NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye”. The movie’s soundtrack is phenomenal, with many glorious throwbacks to music from the early 2000s and before. Combined with smooth, fast-paced action sequences and captivating visuals, we’re treated to one hell of a movie.
It’s hard to say much about the plot of Deadpool & Wolverine without straying into spoiler territory so we’ll keep it brief. It’s the team-up we’ve been waiting for and fans of the comics won’t be surprised that our two heroes often come to blows. Their mission to save the universe unites them even if little else does. Facing some excellent villains and surrounded by a superb supporting cast, the movie’s pacing and plot will keep you hooked to the very end. It also boasts some of the best cameos in recent memory – but we’ll say no more here!
It hardly needs to be said that Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are in top form. Few would argue that better actors could have been chosen to play these iconic characters – despite Hugh Jackman’s height. Reynolds is his usual smart-ass, loud-mouthed, fourth-wall-breaking self, delivering his verbal and physical comedy seamlessly. But he also shows Wade’s vulnerability: his loneliness, his feelings of inadequacy, and his desire to be better. Instead of relentless comic relief, Reynolds strikes an impressive balance between playing it straight and glorying in his portrayal of the Merc with a Mouth.
Last seen in the critically acclaimed Logan in 2017, Hugh Jackman returns as the Wolverine with a pitch-perfect performance. The surly, violent, self-loathing Wolverine is front and center. He is the perfect counterbalance to Deadpool’s relentless wise-cracks, but somehow also fits in with the wacky, chaotic events of the movie. His cutting wit complements Deadpool wonderfully. His emotional scenes, however, remind us of Jackman’s quality as an actor and how well he embodies Logan’s character.
Deadpool & Wolverine achieves a superb mix of fun, humor, action, nostalgia, and heart. The fantastic work of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman can’t be overstated. The many cameos provide the kind of throwback that will delight fans. The movie is compelling, action-packed, and well-crafted, the bad guys are credible, and the soundtrack is phenomenal. This is a movie everyone should see, whether they’re fans of Marvel comics, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or simply fans of good movies. Just don’t watch it with your parents.
What are your hopes and predictions for Deadpool & Wolverine? Let us know in the comments section below. And don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, for all things movies, pop culture, online deals, and more.
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Author
Una Bergin
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