When the Time Variance Authority recruits Deadpool to help protect the multiverse, chaos inevitably ensues. His reunion with Wolverine becomes central to saving Deadpool’s world from a dire threat. The dynamic between Wolverine’s brooding intensity and Deadpool’s irreverent humor is a sight to behold, creating a captivating on-screen duo.
Deadpool & Wolverine has garnered an impressive audience reception, boasting a 95% on the Popcornmeter, and a solid 79% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s R rating, however, is a reflection of its mature content. For those unfamiliar with Deadpool’s comic origins and his previous movies, the frequent adult humor and explicit language are characteristic of the character even though the comics themselves have not always been featured as rated R. The film’s first ten minutes, which features the F-word more times than expressed in other Marvel movies, sets the tone for its unapologetic humor and some fourth wall breaks, which may be a deal breaker for some who may want to watch it.
The excitement for Deadpool & Wolverine was initiated when Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) and Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) teased their collaboration in a 2022 YouTube video. Fans of the characters were thrilled to see them reunite after their last on-screen appearance together as these characters were from 2009 in X-Men: Origins. Their real-life friendship further fueled anticipation, adding an extra layer of appeal to the project.
On a side note, the film’s marketing was somewhat overshadowed by controversy surrounding the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, It Ends With Us. Both Jackman and Reynolds attended events supporting Blake Lively, Reynolds’ wife and the film’s star. However, Lively’s promotional interviews downplayed the book’s heavy themes, which sparked some debate among fans.
Ultimately, Deadpool & Wolverine is worth a watch, particularly for its humor and dynamic performances, which can be seen through its audience ratings. Despite occasional head-scratching moments, the film delivers several beautifully executed scenes and showcases the friendship between its leads.
