Deadpool and Wolverine

Deadpool/Wade (Ryan Reynolds) is going through a mid-life crisis. His girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) needs him to aspire be more, so he tries to join The Avengers and is soundly rejected.

Lost, aimless, he now leads the life of a car salesman until the other-dimensional TVA (Time Variance Authority) shows up and enlists him for a mission. But enough backstory, cue the opening credits montage of wanton mayhem and profoundly gratuitous violence set to the tune of NSYNC’s “Bye Bye,” because Deadpool is back.

The McGuffin in this film (device serving merely as a trigger for the plot) is the TVA which, in trying to safeguard the ‘sacred timeline,’ needs to destroy Deadpool’s universe. As for why, it is because Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) has died, and he was the ‘anchor being’ in our reality.

If this sounds far-fetched, hang on, because there is so much more in the film that can’t be covered here. Suffice it to say, the plot does serve the point of uniting these two erstwhile heroes so fans can get what they have always wanted to see. Namely, a Deadpool vs. Wolverine knock down, slash out brawl of epic proportions.

“Deadpool and Wolverine” is most likely the movie Deadpool fans have been waiting for. In this case, the destination is not as important as the journey and that includes multiple stops for Deadpool and Wolverine to mix it up. The pair will also find themselves teaming up to take on new enemies as well as old ones and a few Marvel heroes from the past get to make their mark as well.

Objectionable Content

VIOLENCE: Extreme. Deadpool normally kills or maims his enemies with his dual-swords, blades or anything else he can get his hands on. Deadpool, instead begins the film by using the bones and claws retrieved from Wolverine’s skeletal remains. He stabs, chops off and impales his enemies everywhere, especially in the groin and up their backside for comedic effect.

As with his previous two films, the effects are intentionally gruesome and the visuals sadistic in nature. There is no other way to describe watching bones pushed through heads or decapitated, filmed in slow-motion in order to emphasize the bloody carnage. And all this is during the opening credits. The film features much more of the same, including the instant skinning alive of a hero before he dies immediately after.

LANGUAGE: Extreme. The blasphemy level is high, with no-less than 23 instances of taking God’s name in vain, five (5) of which are Deadpool’s declaration that he is ‘Marvel’s Jesus’ right after realizing that he, Deadpool, is the messiah. This should come as no surprise, as the movie trailer features Deadpool calling himself this. The other villain in the movie, Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) calls herself the ‘god’ of the void. Hell, damn and other profane words are also said indiscriminately throughout.

The obscenity pack is led by the ‘f’ bomb uttered no less than 70 times, but to be frank sometimes they were uttered so fast you would need a clicker to keep track, so there were probably more to be sure, and this rule of thumb applies to the next series of words as well. Sh** (18x), a** (3), A**-h**e(4), mentions of sex organs, sex acts, sexually transmitted diseases and necrophilia are also bandied about.

SEX/NUDITY-Mild. Sex was prevalent in the first two Deadpool movies, but there was none in this one. Some women’s outfits, particularly in ‘the void’ are salacious, but no nudity is shown. A male character, Juggernaut, has a costume that is shirtless, but it is partially armored.

ALCOHOL/DRUGS: Moderate. Deadpool uses euphemisms with his roommate to hide their mutual interest in cocaine. Wolverine is always reaching for hard alcohol whenever it is nearby.

WOKE: Subtle. A car’s ‘COEXIST’ bumper sticker is focused on. A message being promoted by the world that on the face of it seems harmless, if not a good thing.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” —Romans 12:18

The problem with the ‘COEXIST’ logo is that the letters are made up of the symbols for various religions, which, if you understand anything about them, often reject those of other faiths. So ironically, the only way to coexist peacefully is to get your priorities straight, follow our Lord and do what Jesus said to do.

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” —Matthew 22:37-39

Lessons

Although this is a comedic, albeit foul action movie, there are some interesting concepts touched upon. While they are in direct opposition to the Word of God, these three themes merit examination: loving your enemies, the end-times and self-sacrifice.

LOVING YOUR ENEMIES. Deadpool has zero interest in this, but he does love his friends, which is the reason he begins his mission. Likewise, Wolverine is disinterested in anything but his friends, the X-Men. Therefore, the focus of both Deadpool and Wolverine is their own personal circle of friends and not even the world matters. This is a ‘love’ that is common to man, yet God, who created us in His image, calls us to be better than that.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven… If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” —Matthew 5:43-46

END-TIMES. Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) of the TVA knows that this [our] timeline/universe is doomed at some time in the future, but he is impatient and wants to usher in ‘the end,’ here and now. This is a not so veiled reference to Satan whose very name means adversary to God and his plans.

How else to explain the rapidly decaying signs of society, of evil being promoted as good and good as evil. As those who follow God’s only begotten son, Jesus, we have no cause to worry. However, Earth is rapidly approaching a real-life end game and the Devil knows it.

“Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” —Revelation 12:12

SELF-SACRIFICE. In the previous film, Logan (2017), Wolverine sacrifices himself to save the young girl, Laura aka X-23 (Dafne Keen). Apparently, the whole timeline became endangered once our ‘anchor-being,’ Wolverine, sacrificed himself. Was it really necessary for a superhero film to mock the importance of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, even to go as far as showing Wolverine crucified on a large X.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16

Closing Thoughts

The film lacks the sufficient storytelling needed in order to transition between its action scenes. This results in frenetic, song laced fight scenes that end up being no more than pointless choreographed exhibitions. Then, when the story slows to a crawl, you realize those battles are all the more necessary to reignite interest in an otherwise dull film.

“Deadpool and Wolverine” as a film is pure fan-service from the beginning to its surprisingly nostalgic end. Yet, as Deadpool himself says to Wolverine regarding the Marvel Universe, “You’re coming in at a low point.” I couldn’t agree more. This film is not recommended.

• Violence: Extreme
• Profane language: Extreme
• Vulgar/Crude language: Extreme
• Nudity: None
• Sex: Minor
• Drugs/Alcohol: Moderate
• Occult: Mild
• Wokeism: Mild

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.