Deadpool has always been a blast to watch in the realm of superhero movies. It’s a series that doesn’t take itself too seriously, delighting fans with its self-aware humour and deep dives into comic lore. Thanks to writers who know their stuff, the franchise has given us countless “Ah ha, they did that” moments. However, being tied to Fox limited how far they could delve into the comic universe.
With Deadpool and Wolverine under the Disney and Marvel banner and canonically part of the MCU, the possibilities have expanded exponentially. The unique levity that defines these characters remains intact, but the scope and depth they can explore have grown significantly.
As audience members, we’re always in on the joke—a feature that Deadpool’s cosmic awareness and fourth-wall-breaking abilities (yes, it’s a mutant power he has in the comics!) brilliantly enhance. This sets the perfect stage for a film that leverages the Multiverse to deliver mind-blowing cameos, bring closure to beloved characters, introduce new ones, and deepen the legacies of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool. The movie cleverly uses their unpredictable nature to set the stage for whatever comes next in the MCU.
For this blog, I’ll keep it spoiler-free and delve deeper into the lore next month, giving everyone a chance to watch it.
What works in this movie? The plot, writing, and directing are exceptionally tight. I was initially concerned it might be shallow, but the writers did an excellent job reintroducing the title characters and creating an organic way for them to exist in the film.
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman share immediate chemistry, and they had a blast making this movie. Ryan’s portrayal of Deadpool is as over-the-top as ever, with Hugh’s reactions of shock and disgust often seeming genuinely unscripted. The film acknowledges that while Hugh is no longer a young man, he’s still in great shape, and they play this up humorously, presenting him as a Daddy-Level sexpot in a fun and playful manner.
One of the standout performances comes from Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova. Emma, who uses they/them pronouns, brilliantly captures Cassandra’s complexity. If you saw Emma as Princess Diana in The Crown, you might wonder how they’d pull off this role, but they nailed it. Emma transforms Cassandra into a beautiful yet terrifying character, reflecting their non-binary identity in a captivating way. Their portrayal almost makes you root for Cassandra—until you remember what a complete psychopath she is. The film impressively showcases Cassandra’s powers and power level (one minor spoiler: she’s the MCU’s first Omega Level Mutant). I sincerely hope we see more of Cassandra in future MCU projects.
The movie also introduces new characters from the TVA that we love and hate, and Wunmi Mosaku’s Hunter B-15 has grown significantly since Loki Season 2.
Finally, the cameos are an absolute delight—thoughtfully integrated, purposeful, and hilarious. The soundtrack, a nostalgic treat for 90s kids, is masterfully done. If anyone knows where to find that choir version of “Like a Prayer,” please let me know.
I give this movie an Omega Level Rating! Stay tuned for a full breakdown next month.