This past July, the long-awaited third “Deadpool” film was released, six years after the sequel. And it was, by far, the most hilarious installment in the franchise. With its adult humor, deprecating quips and fourth-wall-breaking jokes, “Deadpool and Wolverine” was easily the best movie released this summer.
The movie starts with Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), the wisecracking, foul-mouthed not-quite-superhero, excavating Wolverine’s grave. From there, a series of flashbacks explain how he got himself in this situation. He tried to join the Avengers, was rejected by Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), retired from being Deadpool and worked as a used-car salesman for six years. Then, the Time Variance Authority (TVA) captured him and explained that his timeline was deteriorating due to the death of Wolverine. Going against the organization’s wishes, Deadpool begins his quest to save his universe by searching for an alternate timeline variant of Wolverine, and ends up with the most disappointing Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) of them all.
For the rest of the movie, Deadpool and Wolverine team up—albeit reluctantly on the latter’s part—to stop the TVA from destroying Deadpool’s universe. Their journey takes them through the Void, where the powerful Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) resides with discarded members of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). They meet various variants of Deadpool, from the fouler-mouthed Kidpool (Inez Reynolds) to the adorably ugly Dogpool (Peggy), also known as Mary Puppins. Whether they triumph or perish, I will leave for you to find out.
The film’s running gags only heighten its fun. Every variant Wolverine attempts to kill Deadpool, from Cavillrine (Henry Cavill) to the 5-foot-3-inch version. Cassandra Nova reads people’s minds by writhing her bare hands underneath their skin, poking and prodding their brains as she sees fit, much to the horror of her victims. Nicepool (Ryan Reynolds), another Deadpool variant, is a constant target of Deadpool’s ire due to his cheerful disposition, unscarred appearance and ownership of Dogpool. And, of course, Deadpool’s utter adoration for Mary Puppins, with her sparse fur, wrinkled skin and lopsided tongue constantly licking his face, is a highlight. Plus, the movie’s comedic timing is perfect. NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” plays while Deadpool desecrates Wolverine’s skeleton and “Like A Prayer” by Madonna is the soundtrack for the high-stakes climax.
Despite Disney having bought 21st Century Fox, bringing Deadpool and the X-Men under Marvel Studios, the “Deadpool” franchise’s characteristic humor is far from tamped down. Besides keeping its R rating, the movie makes regular jabs at the MCU. Deadpool pleads Marvel to stop with the multiverses, says Wolverine will now be working until he is 90 and reminds Blind Al (Leslie Uggams), his elderly roommate, that they cannot talk about cocaine anymore.
There was never a dull moment in “Deadpool and Wolverine,” and the box office numbers show that. Having grossed over $1 billion worldwide, the film has become the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, and Deadpool is now Marvel Studios’ second highest-grossing superhero—only beaten by the PG-13 Spider-Man. Thanks to its success, it is still playing in theaters. Grab a ticket and go watch the latest “Deadpool”—its 2-hour runtime will fly by.