Oh, I know what you’re thinking. Why do we need two separate reviews for this summer’s most anticipated movie, Deadpool & Wolverine? Well smarty-pants, I’ll tell you why! As you can probably suspect by the excitement around this movie, and something confirmed by the end of the movie itself (and this review), good things actually do come in pairs. Just ask every “mature video content” creator in the heart of Los Angeles’s San Fernando Valley.

That’s why I, and my colleague Michael Lee, are teaming up to bring you our takes on Deadpool & Wolverine with a “Deadpool review” and a “Wolverine review.” Unfortunately for you guys reading this right now, you’re stuck with me for the “Deadpool review.” Whereas, my more handsome and intelligent counterpart will be bringing to you the “Wolverine review.”

Now what do we mean by this? Well of course, we’re going to break down our thoughts on the movie overall. We’re critics, not influencers (proven by my sad follower count). But as an expected bonus, I will walk you all through why this is a great Deadpool movie, and Michael will discuss why it’s a great Wolverine movie. So without further review adieu, LET’S F**KING GO!

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First and foremost, let me 100% assure you that Deadpool & Wolverine is firmly set within the MCU. However, the brilliant thing about it is it’s also set within the original Fox Marvel universe. And technically several others as well. How they pull that off is astonishing, but it all works. I won’t get into the full details of the synopsis, to avoid spoiling you like a nepo-baby from an episode of My Super Sweet 16. But I will say, in the aftermath of Loki Season 2, the plot involves Wade Wilson trying to save his universe from being destroyed with the obligatory and begrudging help of the greatest X-Man of all time (debatable): Wolverine!

Now let’s start with the basics. This movie is such a terrific blast! Deadpool & Wolverine is an absolute love letter to the past, present, and future of the superhero movie genre. The script is crafted with so much knowing love about the original X-Men film franchise, but also surprises from a pre-MCU era of superhero filmmaking. And rather than make it all gratuitous, the way Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness did, all of it feels 100% necessary to tell a story that knowingly digs at how the existence of the MCU has essentially voided the Fox universe and all of its prospective plans circa 2018.

It’s a thin line to tightrope between a loving, self-aware roast, and just flat out bashing an easy target. Deadpool & Wolverine could have easily done the latter. It’s obviously crass, and hilariously biting. But as irreverent as this movie, and all Deadpool films, can be, nothing in this movie ever once feels mean-spirited or cynical about either franchise.

It chooses instead to take the high ground, making you appreciate the merits of all past and present Marvel franchises, and what they’ve done for the Marvel brand. It chooses to appreciate the fans, and reward them, but also laugh with them, giving us surprises that make us cheer and laugh all at once. While never making any of its characters (whether we’ve seen them before or not) the full butt of any joke. This also allows for the actors portraying these characters to go out with some dignity, and some incredible set pieces and compelling moments defined by what we know of these characters. The homages are strong, earned, and cheer-worthy.

The movie also intelligently recognizes that fan service, nostalgia, and social media speculation are what get fans excited. And it just goes to show how well Ryan Reynolds, alongside director Shawn Levy, and screenwriters Zeb Wells (a terrific writer on Spider-Man comics), Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick know and understand, not only comic book superheroes, but also their audience. The movie gives them what they want by providing some truth to the various rumors out there. And while not all of them end up being true, it’s incredible how much they’ve gotten away with in terms of placating their audience with payoff to some. This is a movie that satisfies your speculative nature just enough, without promising you the world and removing the rug from under you, or tossing in garbage just because fans want it (again, look to Multiverse of Madness as a parable for how to punish fans for rumors).

It’s also just astonishingly funny. Hands down the funniest MCU movie since Thor: Ragnarok, and potentially the funniest Deadpool movie. I found myself laughing loud and hysterically during several moments in the movie. The key to all of it is the knowledge Reynolds and company have about the MCU and the superhero movie genre, and how they never underestimate how much their audience likes to rip on the MCU as well, while still remaining fans. They understand they have a much bigger canvas to paint on, between the Fox legacy films and the MCU, and utilize all of that to their fullest potentials. This keeps the jokes incredibly fresh and funny for an audience that will surely get most of them, even if newcomers may be lost in translation for some.

But wait a second! Self-referencing? Irreverent? Socially aware of its audience? Hilariously crass? Full of heart? *GASP!* That also describes the character of Deadpool doesn’t it?

That’s right folks! Apropos to my original thesis, therein lies *exactly* why Deadpool & Wolverine is a perfect Deadpool movie. Because this is a film that represents this character greater than anything that has ever come before it. This is a Deadpool movie through and through. Reynolds and team understand exactly who this character is, how his world is written, how he’s written, and what makes the character so endearing. And in doing so, the film itself becomes the living embodiment of the Deadpool character from its assets to its flaws. Which is to say utterly endearing and endlessly hilarious, with a spattering of long-winded and annoying thrown in for good measure.

From a performance standpoint, for Reynolds’ third outing as the character (we’re not counting X-Men: Origins as a movie at all, okay?) we get perhaps his strongest performance yet. Reynolds knows how to get on a character’s last nerve and it’s all the more hilarious because of his never-ending barrage of verbal jabs and zingers. He can play this role in his sleep. But for all the humor and charisma he brings to the role, we mustn’t forget about about the heart he brings to this character as well. Established since the first movie, Reynolds does incredibly well with heartfelt sincerity and earned moments with his extended family as well. And its that balance and the commitment to that balance that will always make this Reynolds’ signature character.

Naturally Hugh Jackman returning to the role that made him a star is plenty exciting too. And it’s of course a welcome return with some wonderful moments and a strong arc. But this is the “Deadpool review” folks, So you’ll have to check out Michael Lee’s review for more details about good old Lady Fingers, and why Deadpool & Wolverine is a terrific Wolverine movie, especially post-Logan.

However, within the context of this being the “Deadpool review,” I will say that the relationship and chemistry (or should I say anti-chemistry) between Reynolds and Jackman for these two characters is off the charts. Every good comedic character needs a straight man to play against. And these two are hands down the next great comedy duo! Furthermore what they do for each other — in this case what Deadpool does to help move Wolverine’s character arc along – is terrifically done, and arguably the best reason to see this movie.

The other stand out within the cast, however, is Cassandra Nova herself, Emma Corrin! This is a role that could have been easily relegated to a one-dimensional “maniacal end the world/take over the world” villain part. But Corrin is so phenomenal in this. They’re menacing, but also incredibly charming. Insane, but fun to watch and hate. And that’s because they put so much gusto in to the performance. It’s really reminiscent of Cate Blanchett’s Hela: a character that should be flat, but the right combination of good dialogue, and stellar acting absolutely elevates them to become a memorable character. It helps that the visuals of how they psychically torment their victims look excruciating and grotesque.

Another newcomer to the MCU is Matthew Macfadyen’s TVA agent, Mr. Paradox. This is another character that could have been completely flat, if not elevated by a terrific performance from Macfadyen. In the hands of the Emmy winner, Paradox becomes unhinged, cowardly, desperate, and hilarious all at once. And that’s not easy for any actors to accomplish in a character that has less screentime than you’d expect. However, Macfadyen makes terrific use of that screentime, getting you to laugh and appreciate the moments of flavor he infuses into the character.

We also must discuss the action in this movie, which is absolutely insane. Levy, as a director, has grown so much in his impressive career, and here, he showcases how brilliantly he can do action. There’s an amazing single-shot scene in the movie that follows Deadpool and Wolverine in combat, that is just so well done, and one of the best filmed action sequences in the MCU, with so much going on with both characters. The movie also kicks off with a stellar sequence with a surprising music choice, that proves to emphasize the brutality and hilarity of the scene amidst the backdrop of a totally synchronized needle drop for said song. And there’s not one, but two really incredible fights between God’s perfect idiot and the Canadian honey badger. Both sequences between Deadpool and Wolverine duking it out (understandably so given the tension between the two) are incredibly fun and brutal. Be prepared, by the way, to embrace the R-rated carnage the movie has to offer — especially in the opening sequence!

As previously stated above also, the needle drops in Deadpool & Wolverine greatly fit into the vibes this movie delivers on. They’re a fun mix of old school classics, and new school tracks that perfectly encapsulate the silliness of Deadpool as a character, as well as this relationship between himself and Wolverine during this awkward road trip. One of the aforementioned fights between the two characters takes place in a car, with a surprising musical choice that cracked me up completely as the rumble was occurring. It’s a perfect combination of stellar tracks, and visually arresting action that keeps us completely entertained on the adventure these two go on.

The one thing I cannot stress enough about this movie is how much you should go in without spoilers. The movie is all the more fun when you let Reynolds and team deliver the surprises in wacky and unpredictable ways. It breeds chaos but in the most fun ways imaginable, while still servicing story and never disappointing. And yes, in many ways, it firmly fits into the MCU landscape perfectly, while actually also changing a few things along the way, but with absolute consistency. And once more, that summarizes the character of Deadpool in a nutshell.

Crass, funny, silly, yes. But at the end of the day, a character that comes through, both as a fictional hero saving others in the Marvel universe, but also as a character than never ceases to entertain us consistently. As of now, eight years in, we’ve never had a Deadpool film appearance that wasn’t good (again X-Men: Origins does not exist!). Which, again, is something Deadpool & Wolverine represents: A movie that’s unpredictable, consistently good, and delivers without disappointing at all, while being self-aware, self-deprecating, and yet, touching. This movie, and the acknowledgement of the Legacy films as canon, as well as the introduction of mutants in the MCU will definitely change things for this franchise going forward. But one thing will stay the same: Deadpool will always be Deadpool. And since that spirit is firmly embedded and represented so beautifully across Deadpool & Wolverine in its entirety, ultimately, that makes the latest entry into the MCU the perfect “Deadpool movie.”

PS: Dogpool has my heart!

Overall Score: A-

Overall Score as a “Deadpool Movie”: A++++++🫶🫶🍆🍆💀💩L