The long-rumoured ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ reunion has finally happened, ironically, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Two superhero misfits – one a scoundrel mercenary aka Deadpool and the other, Logan aka Wolverine – find themselves thrown in the deep end in this fictional multiverse of multi-superhero franchises. With multiple jokes and ‘educated wishes’ guaranteed, this Marvel movie is designed to surprise you and make you scream in excitement. As Deadpool would say- F@%* bring it!

The two most iconic superhero franchises in the MCU’s multiverse collide, thanks to the Time Variance Authority (TVA). In a complex plot, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is looking for a purpose in life. He just wants to be ‘important’. He even goes for an interview to join the Avengers. During one such mission, he finds himself trapped in the Time Variance Authority, where he is told that in a matter of hours, his universe will cease to exist because his universe’s ‘anchor being’ has been lost.

In case it wasn’t clear, the ‘Anchor Being’ was Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Wade thinks he can finally save his universe by finding the perfect replacement for Wolverine for his universe. But as everyone can guess – things go wrong, and they meet up with Cassandra Nova (Charles’ twin sister, played by the lovely Emma Corrin) in ‘The Void’, where Deadpool and Wolverine find themselves exiled.

Watch the trailer here:

Between the cameos from A-listers and the Avengers references, the film’s strongest attribute is its meta-writing. Co-written by Reynolds himself, the film takes several good-humored digs at the entire Fox-Disney merger and the MCU. The last time this was probably seen was in ‘Barbie’. The jokes are constant, as is expected from Deadpool, and this Marvel film relies heavily on it. Who could be the best match for this expletive-spewing superbeing? Wolverine! For every R-rated nonsense talk, Wolverine hits Deadpool with his metal claws and, honestly, that’s the only right way to deal with the ‘Merc with a Mouth’, or as he very admirably refers to himself, ‘Marvel Jesus’.

The film uses meta-commentary as a crutch to get through the first half hour before Reynolds and Jackman unite for their final mission. Their constant banter and chemistry with each other adds a layer of bromance we didn’t know we needed. What helps is that they are comfortable on screen and extremely comfortable in their respective characters. There’s sincerity in the laughs and punch-ups, not holding back from poking fun at themselves. For example, in one scene Ryan refers to Hugh, saying, ‘He’s usually shirtless, but he’s let himself go since the divorce,’ as he includes the audience in the scene breaking the fourth wall. A laugh-out-loud moment indeed!

The film would have benefited more if the story was central along with the characters. But it seems like Marvel is testing the waters to regain some of its lost glory. The new phase in the MCU has not been rewarding enough and if this film is proof of that, they are very much aware of that. In this film, the MCU put the characters first and gave a grand farewell to some long forgotten X-Men characters.

Director Shawn Levy is a master of comedy direction, but in terms of action, this film is not the best we have seen in the MCU so far. The ‘Mad Max inspired’ sets for ‘The Void’ or the VFX in some places were not up to the cinematic standards set by Marvel. The action is also not as dynamic as one would expect from a ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ film, but the interesting screenplay compensates for the shortcomings.

Both Ryan and Hugh have pulled off a successful bromance that leaves you teary-eyed by the end. This is probably the only time you feel your emotions flowing during the film’s more than two-hour runtime.

The film has many laugh-out-loud moments and fan service that is on full display. Endless cameos from your favorite people will make you scream with excitement. Also, pay attention to the post-credits scene because it is truly spectacular!

There’s a lot to be ‘surprised’ about in ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ (wordplay intended) and, for a change, Marvel is in no hurry to tell us what the next chapter is going to be!

‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ is 4 out of 5 stars.