Fan service is a complex container, and while it doesn’t always work (see Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker for a case of filmmakers and production companies in confusion), when you’re playing with Deadpool it feels more likely than other names within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, due to his fourth wall-breaking stylistics, and story-within-story approaches to his entire existence. While, for me, Shawn Levy’s Deadpool and Wolverine certainly plays on the ‘fan’ angle, for my money paid and the sheer level of entertainment, I had so much fun, and was certainly satisfied.  

While development begun back in 2016, after the success of the first Deadpool movie, the ownership absurdity between Fox and eventually Disney went on for much longer than anyone expected – although probably happily between the lawyers. Throughout all this, rumours of storylines and co-characters, including Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, were discussed and thrown into the MCU ether, but the retirement of Jackman via Logan in 2017 made any team-up between these two seem unfeasible… until now that is! This entire scenario is also part of some comically conversed moments in the film itself, as you’d expect, so even if you’re not that aware – Deadpool himself shall explain it for you!

Written by Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells and Shawn Levy, it’s clear that Deadpool and Wolverine isn’t shy in sharing its fleeting exposition moments, although I do think it helps if you have knowledge of what’s come before, and why we’re here – including the new MCU multiverses, the series Loki and a deeper knowledge of the X-Men films, I’m also optimistic that an outside viewer will appreciate the general chaos of this outcome… and how engaging it remains, as well as unexpected cameos that properly work – and jokes that land time after time.

Taking us back to 2018, Ryan Reynolds’ titular Deadpool/Wade Wilson has used Cable’s time-travel device to try and bring everyone he loved back to life but, of course, he’s still looking for ‘meaning’ in his life and wants to be an Avenger. Unfortunately, he’s unsuccessful at trying to become a member – rejected by Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan no less – because Hogan doesn’t believe Wade can truly give himself to a cause, without making it about himself.

With this in his head, Wade gives up on the bigger dream and becomes a car salesman with his buddy Peter, and it’s great to see Rob Delaney again, but due to Wade’s messing about with time in his previous ventures, he’s picked up by the Time Variance Authority (the TVA we learned about in Loki) and shown the ‘sacred timeline’ and he’s also told why Deadpool’s timeline is dying, but he thinks he can save it. There’s a lot going on, but Wade sees this as his chance to be a hero and needs help – so he steals a TVA device and tries to dig up the dead Wolverine from the film Logan, but he’s literally decomposed, so ends up heading around the multiverse to find a Wolverine ‘variant’ he can team up with instead – after a rather amusing ‘NYSNC opening credit dance sequence, in-between killing a lot of TVA Agents trying to stop him.  

From this point, we hit heavy SPOILER territory, and as it’s only been a week since it’s release – and somehow I managed to avoid everything – I’m not going to delve into that setup because there’s so much to enjoy with every discovery, every little twist on character, unexpected returning faces, and the character growth of Hugh Jackman again for this new variant of Wolverine that Deadpool ends up with.

What I will discuss is that Deadpool and Wolverine feels like a full circle move for Reynolds and his legacy for the Merc with a Mouth. It’s also a great jump for Disney to go proper ‘R-rated’ in the States, but amusingly only a 15-certificate in the UK, and I think that fits as it’s comic-book killing that might be slightly gratuitous graphically, and there’s some killer body horror involved hands inside the head, but that’s Deadpool. And this is why the audiences are turning up for the insanity, the tongue-in-cheek setups, the cameos and certainly the fourth wall/in-house comic/film/production company comments that I personally adored.

Is this groundbreaking? I wouldn’t say so, but is it an ideal reset for the MCU? Absolutely. After the massive Avengers: Endgame finale, the MCU on the film side has suffered from being a little underwhelming but I would say they’ve produced some great TV series’ with the likes of Loki, Moon Knight, She Hulk (which also vibed on a Deadpool fourth-wall), Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, and not forgetting WandaVision – which is leading to the very interesting Agatha All Along – coming up in September and November.

Do you need to know everything that’s gone before? It will help but with a killer cast of Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin (who plays a superb baddie and that body-horror moment is unique), Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen (who’s having lots of fun) – amongst many others – I had an absolute blast and revelled in the escapism and silliness, with even deeper Reynolds moments working, but it’s truly Jackman who brings the gravitas and then some. This is colossal work from Hugh who continues to bring such depth and intrigue to a character we’ve been watching for nearly 25 years now. Logan was a stunning way to sign off that version of Wolverine, and somehow he’s given us another form that’s just as compelling.

Huge, pleasurable fun, bloody and knowingly nasty in the battles, as self-referential as you’d hope and it could be a fantastic way to say goodbye to both characters… at least it felt like that, and if this was the end, then it’d be a perfect high to fly out on. LLAP!

Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine is in Cinemas and IMAX now

IMAX is the world’s most immersive movie experience. IMAX combines specific high-resolution cameras with state-of-the-art projectors and a perfectly integrated sound system to engulf you in the world of the biggest new releases. There’s no better way to experience Deadpool & Wolverine than in IMAX.