‘Deadpool’, MCU mash-up subverts expectations

If you enjoyed the first two Deadpool movies then all signs point to you enjoying this latest instalment.

Deadpool & Wolverine, is of course, a fourth-wall-breaking, self-deprecating and crudely humorous film, but that is to be expected.

It continues the story of the first two films, but unsurprisingly subverts your expectations in how it does this.

This is an action-comedy film through and through and I’ll be the first to admit I am the target audience for this film.

Some of the action scenes go incredibly hard — miles better than previous MCU movies — as the R rating allows more gore, blood and violence.

One of the best fight scenes takes place between Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) in a Honda Odyssey — yes, you read that right.

The resulting all-out slog fest is almost cartoon-like.

This movie also features what I can describe as one of the best opening sequences I’ve seen in a long time.

A Backstreet Boys song is the soundtrack to the ballistic action and perfectly sets the tone.

This movie is not without its flaws, however, including bland locations, rough pacing throughout and some marginal Hugh Jackman de-ageing .

However, you don’t go to a Deadpool movie for an in-depth, thought-provoking story or perfect-looking sets.

You go for the laughs, the over-the-top action scenes, the brutality and the characters.

In a lot ways this feels like the Deadpool movie that was always supposed to exist.

With a bigger budget courtesy of Disney’s involvement, you do notice that money in the effects and special appearances.

By the end of the film it becomes a celebration of the Fox era of the X-Men movies.

It is apparent this is intended to be a send-off to that era of films, even featuring behind-the-scenes clips in the credits.

A final word of praise goes to the effective and highly enjoyable soundtrack