My Spoiler-Free Review Of Deadpool (Spoiler Alert: It Rocks).
Wolverine is recovering from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth Deadpool. They team up to defeat a common enemy.
I'll give this a little background that some of you may or may not be aware of. Marvel has obviously been in a tough spot. Since Endgame, they've just not carried over the same juice they had going into it. A lot of people have looked to this movie to be the one that "saves the MCU" and rights the ship or whatever. To get this out of the way, that is not what this movie is nor is it what it was intended to be. Like the previous Deadpool movies, it's an irreverent, crude and very funny movie. Here is a quick, spoiler-free pro and con list for you.
PROS:
- It's very, very funny. This is something I was a little worried about because when I rewatched Deadpool 1 and 2, the humor was a little cringey. Something I realized is the comedy of these movies is simply much more tied into the moment they are released than other movies and that's fine. There is a ton of topical humor that gets a ton of laughs. And, considering the state of comedy movies, this might just be the funniest movie of the year. And yes, it's very self-aware about the state of Marvel.
- It has a well earned R-rating. Everyone was worried about that after the Disney takeover but it does not lose a step.
- The action is as cool as the previous movies. Lots of cool kills and fighting that go past the limitations of PG13 movies. Things bending certain ways. Organs blowing up other ways. Stuff you may debate with your friends but would never see on the screen.
- The cameos rock. I know the joke is that Marvel fans blow their load very time a new character named murpo blurpo gets introduced or reintroduced but I think the characters and people they selected were perfect. A great mix of more common people everyone will know and some stuff for true beaters that follow comic book movies.
- The music selection is perfect. Tons of bangers with an emphasis on prime Madonna. Also some very cool intros on the OST.
- High Jackman sneakily brings some great actual acting to some semi-heavy scenes.
CONS:
- The CGI is a little wonky at points. It's more forgivable in this movie because of the irreverent nature but it's definitely noticeable at certain points.
- Like the previous movies, the movie has a villain problem. The antagonist is probably the best of the three but still pretty weak.
Again, to be very clear, this is not a movie meant to right the ship. If Marvel is an aging player on the downswing, this is their throwback game. Kobe's 60 pointer or something. It's an adrenaline shot, not a cure. There is nothing lasting or resetting that is going to fix things long term. HOWEVER, this is NOT what it was meant for. It is meant to be a very fun romp and it is! It also has some sentimental moments that weirdly work! If you ask me, it is a tad ahead of 'Twisters' for blockbuster of the summer.
P.S. There is one mid-credit sequence that is really cool and an ok post-credit. Neither are very consequential.