Deadpool & Wolverine is the only MCU or Marvel Cinematic Universe film in 2024. It’s the first Deadpool film in the MCU. The first appearance of Wolverine in the MCU. And it’s the first time back in these iconic characters by actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman since 2018. Given all that, there’s this expectation that it’s supposed to save what is, at best, a shaky past few years since the highs of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. 

It’s ironic that a Superhero Cinematic Universe needs saving and the task falls in the hands of an anti-hero and someone who’s supposed to be dead. As it turns out, they may indeed have been the perfect pair for the job. 

What we know from the trailers 

If you’re in the internet at all at any capacity, it’s highly likely that you’ve at least caught a whiff of this film’s many trailers and massive marketing campaigns. But if you haven’t pieced anything together at all, here’s what’s going on. 

Like the MCU, Wade Wilson aka Deadpool is in a bit of a low point. He is then recruited by the TVA or Time Variance Authority. This initially perks him up but quickly realizes the job isn’t something he’s down for and immediately goes off book. 

It’s for this reason that he seeks out the Wolverine that he spends the rest of the film with. 

For a deeper recap, watch this video by ScreenCrush: 

Unapologetically Deadpool

(L-R): Dogpool and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

As the trailers suggest, this film is unapologetically Deadpool. There’s no shortage of gore, action, and humor that did not pull its punches. It managed to poke fun at every single movie and show associated with it. It didn’t matter if it was from the MCU or from 20th Century Fox which produced the X-Men movies of the 2000s. Deadpool was firing on everything, point blank. 

For the most part, the humor lands. But you would have to be a little deep into the MCU and the general news and conversations around it to really understand all the punchlines. 

If you are, then this film will be an absolute treat. Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool is perhaps the only character they could have done this with. 

Undeniably Wolverine 

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

Wolverine, especially Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, is revered. He had the perfect swan song in the critically acclaimed film Logan. Deciding to suit up once more was a risk. 

How the Deadpool & Wolverine respects the events that transpired in Logan is immediately addressed in the opening minutes of the film. Personally, I’m not sure if it will sit well with everyone. But as the movie progresses, it was able to do the delicate balance of poking fun and at the same time showing respect to not only Logan, but also the other films that came before it. 

Hugh Jackman’s performance in this film embodies that balance perfectly. The Wolverine here isn’t the exact same one we knew for the past 20 years. But his character’s journey speak to what the film is expected to deliver: redemption. 

Cameos and MCU-isms

(L-R): Director Shawn Levy, Ryan Reynolds, and Hugh Jackman on the set of Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

All that said, Deapool & Wolverine isn’t immune to many of the same trappings of the MCU. 

The story, for instance, required a plot device to keep things moving. Yes, Deadpool calls this out, but it doesn’t make it anything more than what it is.  

Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

The villain, meanwhile, also feels very MCU. Cassandra Nova is sort of the twin of Professor X. Her origin seem pretty convoluted that I suggest you watch explainer videos on YouTube to understand even the brief backgrounder she gives about herself. Actress Emma Corrin played her perfectly and I sincerely wish she’s brought back in some capacity to better explore this character. She does work for this movie but I’m not entirely sure she’s the only villain that could have worked. 

Oh and the cameos, of which there were plenty, were all gratifying. They also didn’t feel like cameos for the sake of cameos. They all had a part to play in both the film’s story and its balancing act of taking jabs at MCU and Marvel Fox superhero movies while still showing them reverence. 

The crowd I saw the film with was pretty loud when these cameos showed up and I’m excited to learn if the same is true for the general audience that’s about to see this film.

MCU saved? 

(L-R): Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

I’m not sure where the notion that a single film can fix all the MCU’s woes came from. That’s just not how these things work. But for what it’s worth, Deapool & Wolverine delivered maximum effort and in doing so, might have given the MCU an opening to pivot from what may be considered its missteps. 

A lot of the punch lines, quips, and jokes were so meta which is to be expected from a Deadpool film. However, instead of outright “fixing” things, it left more things open in terms of the future of the MCU. 

The whole situation feels like being broke but finding cash in one of your old jeans. It doesn’t feel like a save just yet, but it certainly gives one hope. Sometimes, that’s all we can really ask for.