In “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Ryan Reynolds’s Deadpool kicks off the action with a cheeky address to the audience, “Get your special sock out, nerds. It’s gonna get good.”
This sets the tone for a series of uninspired yet bloody fights involving neck-slicing and heart-stabbing. Since neither character can die, the violence feels somewhat pointless.
However, the real highlight is Deadpool’s direct engagement with the audience, making them feel part of an inside joke.
Deadpool’s Irreverent Humor
Deadpool’s hallmark irreverence is in full force. Known for his foul-mouthed, fourth-wall-breaking antics, Deadpool caters to comic book fans and those who consider themselves above typical superhero fare. He delivers fan service while simultaneously mocking it. One memorable quip is when he clarifies his nickname: “They call me the Merc with a Mouth.
They don’t call me Truthful Timmy, the Blowjob Queen of Saskatoon.” His humor extends to jabs at fellow characters, such as teasing Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine for finally wearing his classic yellow-and-blue costume: “Friends don’t let friends leave home looking like they fight crime for the Los Angeles Rams.” These self-aware jokes hit the mark, as evidenced by the audience’s delighted reaction when Wolverine dons his pointy-eared helmet.
The Plot: A Convoluted Excuse for Fun
“Deadpool & Wolverine” isn’t a great movie; it might not even qualify as a traditional film. It’s more of a relentless barrage of irreverence that eventually wears you down into submission.
The movie arrives at a low point for Marvel, following several lackluster releases. It’s refreshing that this film doesn’t attempt to reboot or set up future stories. Instead, it exists purely to make money, embracing its nonsensical plot.
Deadpool finds a live Wolverine in another universe to save his own from destruction by the Time Variance Authority (TVA), led by an over-the-top Matthew Macfadyen. The film’s transparency about its intentions is oddly preferable to forced sincerity.
The Humor: Hit or Miss
The humor in “Deadpool & Wolverine” ranges from industry digs to risqué jokes. Deadpool’s quips critique the industry and make lewd remarks, often combining both.
For instance, he jokes about TVA soldiers being male prostitutes rented for his birthday. While these jokes are initially funny, they become repetitive. Deadpool’s character is intentionally annoying and one-note, which explains Wolverine’s desire to fight him.
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine brings some gravitas to their second, more engaging fight, making the stakes feel briefly genuine. Jackman’s performance contrasts with Reynolds’s, whose lack of range limited his success in other roles but fits Deadpool’s snarky nature.
Cameos and Self-Referential Humor
The film is packed with surprising cameos that Disney has managed to keep secret. Without giving anything away, it’s worth noting that these cameos often mock the superhero genre.
The movie sends Deadpool and Wolverine to the Void, a dimension of useless things, emphasizing its self-referential humor. Viewers might question whether they are reacting to the performances or the surprise of the cameos, blurring the line between movie content and marketing.
In today’s entertainment landscape, this distinction has become irrelevant. Deadpool, naturally, has a joke about this—it’s the essence of the film itself.
In conclusion, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is not a particularly good movie, but it is determinedly irreverent and self-aware. Its relentless humor and fan service may wear thin, but for those who appreciate Deadpool’s unique style, it offers enough laughs and surprises to be worth a watch.