Deadpool and Wolverine – LFG
It is not overstating it in the slightest to say that Deadpool and Wolverine is the movie we’ve all been waiting for. The last movie I can remember that generated this much anticipation is probably Avengers: Endgame. As I write this, Deadpool and Wolverine has been shattering box office records willy-nilly and is the 6th highest domestic opening of all time. Of. All. Time. That is a big deal.
But Average Dude, did it live up to the hype?
The short answer to that is ‘Yes, it did’. But it’s more complex than that. Deadpool and Wolverine is a movie by the people, for the people. Translation, you needed to be along for the WHOLE RIDE to fully love this movie. And I mean all of it.
There are so many bits and pieces that will fly past most watchers. Heck, I’m sure I haven’t caught all of them. Example: in the scene where Deadpool and Wolverine turn and face REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED, there is a storefront that says Liefield’s Just Feet. I happen to know that the artist who created Deadpool is Rob Liefield and he is infamously known for not drawing feet very well. I have that comic, btw. I’m a super-nerd. I’m okay with that.
Okay, but can I take my mom to see this movie?
Uh, well, if she’s gangsta enough, I guess. Yes, it’s absolutely foul-mouthed from start to end credits and beyond (you’ll see in the post credit scene). If mom is good with that, sure! But truly, the joy of Deadpool and Wolverine is having been along for the whole Marvel ride. And when you add to that, the next level bromance between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, the whole experience is pure gusto joy.
Nothing like being in on the joke
Part of the charm of the Deadpool character is that we’re all in on the gag. Fourth wall breaks are nearly impossible to handle well. Reynolds does it effortlessly, as if we’re all best buds sharing a personal laugh. The imminently loveable Reynolds welcomes us all into the inner circle and no one is immune to that draw. We are onboard without hesitation.
A movie filled with IYKYK
We get it. But is the story any good? Ah…well…kinda the same answer as before. This story has multiple villains. If you’ve watched the Loki series, you know all about the TVA. I won’t go into them because it would take forever and I have a life. Villain 1 is pretty weak, as McGuffin as it gets.
The SECOND villain (the bald chick from the trailers) is someone only followers of the X-Men comics might know. This movie ever so briefly explains who she is. It was, in fact, SO brief that Mrs Average Dude didn’t catch it, and she has been with me every step of the MCU journey. But since she lacks the foreknowledge I possess from a youth spent in the pages of the X-Men, the character just blew right past her. Likewise for another character that pops up. I can’t tell you who it is because I’m not a tool. Let’s just say that Mrs Average Dude recognized them as someone ‘Magical’.
So, for the less-than-superfans, there’s a level of aweome in Deadpool and Wolverine that will just be missed, and that’s a shame. But even missing out on so, SO much, the average not-lifelong comic nerds will still love this movie, warts and all. Yes, the basic story is weak, just strong enough to move our heroes from one side-splitting scene to the next. We barely have time to register that because each scene comes at you hard and fast and hilarious, like a loud fart in church. Try not to laugh. I dare you.
To sum it all up, Deadpool and Wolverine is HIGH entertainment for everyone, and stratospheric fun for those of us in the know. I’m giving it 4.8 out of 5 and will probably go see it in theater a second time. In fact, mark it down for this Tuesday. The lawn can wait. I’m going.
But I’m not taking my mom. She’s not nearly gangsta enough for this sh!t.
BONUS
This is marketing genius. We’re not worthy.
