McDaniel
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is an endless stream of cursing, bloody killing and vulgar jokes. And while it’s not for everyone, it was certainly for a lot of people — making $205 million in its opening weekend, breaking the record for an R-rated release.
And if you’re a Marvel fan, you’ll be smiling from start to finish.
Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is attempting to settle into civilian life, when he is snatched by the Time Variance Authority. They explain that his special set of skills can help them, while giving his life the purpose he’s been seeking.
But then he hears the little sidenote that his world, and everyone he cares about, is about to be pruned from the universe. He sets off to stop it from happening, recruiting an unlikely ally in Wolverine.
After his wonderful performance in “Logan” had us crying over a downtrodden Wolverine, Hugh Jackman once again manages to make us care, this time about “the worst Wolverine” in the multiverse.
And yes, he dons the famous yellow superhero costume for the first time.
Therein lies the charm of the movie. It’s a love letter to Marvel fans. More than once, Deadpool breaks the fourth wall to recognize how excited nerds must be seeing their dream comic book moments, that message boards have long-clamored for, finally come to life.
There are an impressive amount of cameos and surprises that sent gasps through the theater.
But to appreciate, or even understand it all, you need a pretty vast knowledge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and the Marvel film history from before the MCU.
Most relevant might be the Disney+ spinoff series “Loki” — because things like the Time Variance Authority, the Sacred Timeline and the Void are front and center in this blockbuster, with minimal introduction.
If superheroes aren’t your thing, or you simply don’t know the lore of Marvel, a lot of the jokes will fly over your head.
It feels like every line of dialogue in “Deadpool & Wolverine” is some sort of joke or jab — if not a profanity-filled insult, then an inside joke about Marvel, Fox or the celebrity gossip around its cast.
However, as a writer on the project, Reynolds and director/co-writer Shawn Levy are aware that there’s a lot of implied understanding in the script.
They don’t want you to get stuck in the details. Rest assured, a missed punchline is not pivotal to the plot, and with Reynolds’s pace of delivery, a new joke will be tickling your fancy before you know it.
So, grab your popcorn, Marvel fans — “Deadpool & Wolverine” delivers a wild ride that’s as crude as it is record-breaking fun.
4/5
Scott McDaniel is an assistant professor of journalism at Franklin College. He lives in Bargersville with his wife and three kids.
