Marvel Jesus, profanities, and bloody cameos – spoiler discussion

“Deadpool & Wolverine” is such an unusual film that some critics argue it might not even qualify as a movie. What exactly is it then? Could it be an extended satirical comedy skit reminiscent of “Saturday Night Live” but over two hours long? Or is it a meta-infused, sarcastic critique of the superhero genre? Perhaps it’s just a buddy movie featuring two middle-aged men in costumes? The truth is, Shawn Levy’s film is all of these things and maybe not much more.

Marvel films are often seen as ephemeral and made for the moment, but “Deadpool & Wolverine” feels exceptionally thin. Remove all the superhero antics, drug and sex jokes, rampant fourth wall-breaking, and seemingly endless cameos, and there’s little left. Future audiences might puzzle over how Ryan Reynolds and his team managed to deliver something so flimsy to Marvel president Kevin Feige. Yet despite its insubstantial nature, it’s undeniably entertaining and destined to rake in massive box office revenue, something Disney sorely needs.

Whether the movie is art or anything substantial is secondary to the real question: Can “Deadpool & Wolverine” save Marvel from its current critical slump? Is it going to be the “Marvel Jesus”? And do we even want it to be, considering what it indicates for the next decade of superhero films?

Levy’s film can be described as a series of impressive set pieces barely connected by anything resembling a plot. The opening scene where Deadpool takes down a crew of Time Variance Authority agents using bits of a dead Fox-verse Wolverine’s skeleton sets the tone. The film relies heavily on visuals and shock tactics, including an abundance of gay sex jokes that some critics argue amount to cynical queerbaiting. However, it lacks traditional Marvel elements like universe-building and logical coherence.

Even Wolverine’s arc mirrors the one in 2017’s “Logan,” with the emotionally scarred mutant reflecting on a wasted life. The film’s irreverent approach is consistent with Deadpool’s previous films from 20th Century Fox, so it’s no surprise that the tone remains the same even in the MCU.

The cameos in “Deadpool & Wolverine” are a mixed bag. Some suggest they are handled more deftly than those in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” For instance, Channing Tatum’s portrayal of Gambit leaves much to be desired, making it unclear whether it was meant to be deliberately terrible for comic effect. The clever moment when Chris Evans appears as Johnny Storm instead of Captain America is brilliant but short-lived as the character is quickly killed off.

Why was Jennifer Garner’s Elektra brought back for just five minutes? Wesley Snipes’ brief appearance as Blade wasn’t very impactful either, although Dafne Keen’s X-23 seemingly has a more permanent role in the MCU. It’s becoming harder to get excited over these inter-universal antics when it all feels like a parody.

Emma Corrin excels as Professor X’s evil twin, Cassandra Nova, though it’s puzzling why her character was introduced when Charles Xavier hasn’t been formally debuted in the MCU. Multiple Deadpool variants add brief amusement, including Blake Lively as Lady Deadpool.

Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine, though unexpected, serves as a reminder of the character’s significant impact in comic book films. At least the movie avoids the cliché of killing him off again for emotional effect. However, bringing this version of Wolverine into the main MCU might complicate the inclusion of other X-Men characters. Will they all need to be ported in from other universes and could another version of Logan create confusion?

Chris Evans’ cameo as Johnny Storm smartly highlights the challenges Marvel faces if Deadpool were to interact with characters like Thor, Hulk, and Doctor Strange. The Merc with a Mouth’s R-rated antics, including explicit jokes, wouldn’t fit in with the more family-friendly superheroes. Reynolds has mentioned that “Deadpool & Wolverine” isn’t a setup for another movie, implying that Deadpool may never meet the Avengers, which might just be for the best.

Ultimately, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a fun ride that doesn’t take itself too seriously, offering a fresh yet bizarre addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Source: The Guardian