Released on: 26 Jul 2024 • Rated: R • Runtime: 128 min
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Director: Shawn Levy
Writer: Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick
Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Plot: Deadpool is offered a place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by the Time Variance Authority, but instead recruits a variant of Wolverine to save his universe from extinction.
Box Office Gross: $636,745,858
Awards: 8 wins & 44 nominations total
7.6/10
78%
78
76
3.5
56
Welcome back to Lunchtime Movie Critics! Today, we’re tackling the cinematic showdown we’ve all been waiting for—Deadpool vs. Wolverine! This 2024 blockbuster is the ultimate clash of claws, quips, and chaos. Did it live up to the hype? Did Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine outgrow his grumpiness? Did Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool break the fourth wall so much it became a fifth wall? Let’s dive in!
The story kicks off with Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) doing what he does best: causing chaos and cracking jokes. After accidentally… or maybe intentionally… upsetting a shadowy government organization, Deadpool becomes their top target. Enter Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), roped into the mess as the reluctant enforcer tasked with bringing Deadpool down.
Of course, it doesn’t take long for the punches to fly, the claws to slash, and the banter to go off the rails. But beneath the carnage and hilarity, there’s a surprisingly heartfelt story about redemption, loyalty, and the importance of… wait for it… friendship. (Yes, even these two frenemies manage a grudging bromance.)
Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool is as irreverent as ever. From the opening scene, where he narrates his own action sequence (complete with commentary about the director’s questionable choices), to the closing moments where he mocks the obligatory post-credits scene, Deadpool is in top form. Reynolds’ delivery is razor-sharp, and his endless pop culture references will leave you scrambling to keep up.
But beyond the wisecracks, Deadpool gets some unexpected depth. As much as he loves playing the unkillable clown, there are moments where the mask slips—literally and figuratively. His complicated relationship with Wolverine brings out a vulnerability that adds layers to his character without losing the humor.
Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine feels like slipping into a pair of adamantium-lined boots. He’s gruff, grumpy, and growling his way through every scene, but there’s also a weariness that’s hard to ignore. Wolverine’s been through a lot (see: every X-Men movie ever), and his reluctance to engage with Deadpool’s antics makes their dynamic all the more entertaining.
The chemistry between Jackman and Reynolds is electric. Whether they’re brawling in the middle of a collapsing building or begrudgingly teaming up to take on a bigger threat, their interactions are a masterclass in comedic timing. Jackman’s deadpan delivery is the perfect foil for Reynolds’ rapid-fire absurdity.
Every great hero (or anti-hero, in this case) needs a memorable villain, and Deadpool vs. Wolverine delivers. The big bad is a geneticist named Dr. Mortem (played by an unrecognizable Charlize Theron), who’s been conducting experiments to create the ultimate weapon using DNA from both Wolverine and Deadpool. Her cold, calculating demeanor contrasts sharply with the chaos of our two heroes, making her a formidable adversary.
Dr. Mortem’s plan to unleash an army of mutants (dubbed the “Mortem’s Menagerie”) gives the film its stakes, but her personal vendetta against Wolverine adds a nice layer of tension. Plus, watching Deadpool try (and fail) to flirt with her is comedy gold.
The action sequences in Deadpool vs. Wolverine are as over-the-top as you’d hope. From a rooftop chase in Tokyo to a brawl inside a malfunctioning space station, the fight choreography is creative, brutal, and ridiculously fun. Deadpool’s regenerating limbs and Wolverine’s unbreakable skeleton make for some truly wild stunts—including one scene where Deadpool uses his severed arm as a distraction.
But it’s not just about the action. The comedy is relentless. Deadpool’s meta-commentary on superhero tropes, Jackman’s exasperated sighs, and even a surprise musical number (yes, really) keep the tone light and unpredictable. The film somehow manages to balance the absurdity with genuine emotional beats, and that’s no small feat.
At its heart, Deadpool vs. Wolverine is a story about two broken men finding common ground. Wolverine, haunted by his past, and Deadpool, hiding his pain behind a mask of humor, are both searching for meaning in their chaotic lives. Their begrudging respect for each other grows over the course of the film, culminating in a surprisingly touching finale that’ll have you tearing up between laughs.
So, how does Deadpool vs. Wolverine stack up? We’re giving it a solid 10 out of 10 severed limbs. It’s everything you’d want from a superhero showdown: hilarious, action-packed, and unexpectedly heartfelt. Plus, any movie that features Deadpool making a musical parody of Wolverine’s brooding is an automatic win in our book.
Deadpool vs. Wolverine is the cinematic chaos we didn’t know we needed. It’s loud, ridiculous, and occasionally poignant—in other words, everything a superhero movie should be. Whether you’re a fan of Wolverine’s growls or Deadpool’s wisecracks (or both), this film has something for everyone.
What did you think of Deadpool vs. Wolverine? Were you Team Claws or Team Quips? Let us know, and join us next time as we dissect another cinematic gem (or trainwreck). Until then, keep it snarky, movie lovers!
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Movie details, where to watch, and movie poster provided by TMDB, with permission.