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Fans and critics alike hated “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” starring Hugh Jackman when it hit theaters back in 2009. Now, the first reviews for “Deadpool & Wolverine” suggest that the highly anticipated sequel could save the Marvel Cinematic Universe after several middling releases.
Although Marvel ignited the box office five years ago with “Avengers: Endgame,” the franchise has subsequently failed to hit the same highs with many of its recent releases.
Both “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “The Marvels” flopped at the box office, suggesting that audiences are feeling superhero fatigue.
But if the first wave of reviews is anything to go by, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is here to save the MCU from mediocrity thanks to its R-rated violence, foul language, Ryan Reynolds’ wisecracking mercenary, and the chemistry between the two leads.
It’s a far cry from the reaction to “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” which has a 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Like the rest of the “X-Men” movies, the 2009 film didn’t take place in the MCU, and it became infamous among the fan base for its bad writing and maligned depiction of classic characters, including Deadpool.
The first two “Deadpool” movies even make fun of the film, and Reynolds’ character goes back in time to kill the poorly written version of himself at the end of “Deadpool 2.”
But the hugely positive reception to “Deadpool & Wolverine” shows just how far both characters have come since “Origins.”
Fans will be pleased to know that critics are impressed with the story in the 2024 film, its violence, and crowd-pleasing cameos.
Dexerto‘s Cameron Frew called it “a must-see MCU experience; giddy, gruesome, and more emotional than you’d expect.”
Nick Schager at The Daily Beast echoed this sentiment, and said the sequel gives “the MCU the shot in the arm—and kick to the nuts—that’s urgently needed.”
For IGN, Tom Jorgensen wrote: “Reynolds’ command of Wade Wilson’s whipping wit is wazor-sharp as ever — applying it to the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he’s able to bring the self-important franchise down to Earth.”
Meanwhile Empire Magazine‘s Olly Richards said: “From cameos to background Easter eggs to long-fan-ficked meet-ups, it’s a relentless onslaught of surprises designed to get audiences screaming and throwing popcorn in the air.”
Granted, seeing the Deadpool and Wolverine team-up didn’t win everyone over, as Kate Walsh wrote for The Los Angeles Times that the film is filled with a “whole lot of hot air and not much else.”
While The Telegraph‘s Robbie Collin described the sequel as “a spiritual dead end for the franchise.”
Whether the film is a true success will be down to the fans, but “Deadpool & Wolverine” certainly has the potential to be the biggest blockbuster of the year when it arrives in theaters on July 26.
