The much-anticipated movie “Deadpool & Wolverine” came out to theaters nationwide on July 26, flooding box offices with large crowds, with many feeling nostalgic about actor Hugh Jackman’s return to the Marvel cinematic universe. Directed by Shawn Levy, the film was very well-received and grossed over $1.086 billion in just over 23 days earning the title of the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time.
In fact, it was so anticipated that many cinemas and individual theaters were sold out weeks in advance. My family tried to get into a theater for two weeks straight before we found one that had seats available. Various gleeful conversations were happening around the theater as viewers talked about which actors they hoped would return to the Deadpool trilogy. To many, it felt like a massive shared experience the viewers were all content being a part of.
The “Deadpool and Wolverine,” soundtrack was eagerly anticipated by fans and played a major role in the major cinematic scenes of the movie. While watching the introduction of the movie many were pleasantly surprised to see Deadpool dancing to the song “Bye Bye Bye,” written by NSYNC. This took the internet by storm inspiring a new dancing trend across social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Many new hashtags were also created, such as #HughIsBack or #DeadpoolAndWolverine.
Reviews of the movie have been mixed but are largely on the positive side. Critics have praised the movie for its uncanny ability to compel laughter throughout the theaters while playing. Nick Schager of The Daily Beast states that the film “is more amusing and electric — more alive — than any MCU installment in years, and it impressively integrates Deadpool’s distinctive R-rated personality into the decidedly PG-13 franchise.” This praise resonates throughout many other reviews.
Fans of the Marvel Universe were, of course expecting a unique blend of humor and action, both being staples of the Deadpool trilogy, what they weren’t expecting was the return of multiple classic characters along with a few comedic cameos. Jennifer Garner returned as Elektra and Wesley Snipes returned as Blade, but possibly the greatest return of them all was Chris Evans, returning as Johnny Storm, a member of the Fantastic 4. These characters are from all across the Marvel Multiverse, an idea that has been expanded upon in recent years.
Most of the movie takes place across the Marvel multiverse and in the Void, where time variants are sent. This continues upon the ideas presented in the Marvel series “Loki,” that the Time Variance Authority more commonly known as the T.V.A., watches over all timelines. The movie Deadpool and Wolverine has effectively become a smaller part of a greater whole of the multiverse in Marvel.
Every scene in the movie offers up at least some of that much-desired Deadpool humor, but some were in a class of their own. Among some of the fan-favorite scenes are the car scene, both Dogpool scenes, and the Deadpool Corps scene. Actress Blake Lively made a cameo in the Deadpool Corps scene as the voice of Ladypool, amusing many fans as she is married to Ryan Reynolds who is Deadpool himself.
As “Deadpool and Wolverine” continues to dominate box offices, it has become very clear that it has set new and improved standards for R-rated superhero movies. Its blend of humor, action, and nostalgia has captivated audiences both returning and new.
Deadpool has always been seen as an antihero, nothing more nothing less. But at the end of this movie, he finally became the hero the fans and the actor Ryan Reynolds had always hoped for.
