Originally published to 8 News Now on July 23, 2024.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s creative lull seemingly experienced since Avengers: Endgame, 2024 represents the first year since 2012 (COVID-19-tainted 2020 notwithstanding) that Marvel will only have one release. Now, the secrecy-shrowded Deadpool & Wolverine sees the light of day, but how does the third Deadpool movie stack up to the MCU’s recent offerings?

The return of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine could be a catch point for fans who thought the hero’s fate was perfectly executed in 2017’s “Logan.” Those criticisms are faced head-on – as are many of the hold-ups fans might have with returning Jackman from retirement – mostly with laughs from the first frames of Deadpool & Wolverine.

And laughs there are. In case there was any question, Deadpool & Wolverine is unabashedly a Deadpool movie. Returning is the fourth-wall-breaking, potty-mouthed toilet humor of the first two films. If viewers were off-put by Ryan Reynolds’ “Merc with a Mouth” in 2016 and 2018, there is little change in this edition. However, those who enjoyed Deadpool’s hijinks can expect them at their finest in this film.

What’s unexpected is how swiftly Deadpool & Wolverine becomes a roast, not just of Marvel and Disney as a whole, but of the whole 20th Century Fox/Marvel Universe that became Disney’s property in 2019. Jokes are made at the expense of the folks in charge of the company and its trajectory, but it’s clear that the filmmakers love Fox’s alt-Marvel, in which Jackman’s Wolverine found his origin 24 years ago. It’s not all played as a joke; between the laughs, the third Deadpool movie may be the most emotional.

At its core, Deadpool & Wolverine continues Wade Wilson’s journey as a character, creating enough laughs and emotional momentum to carry through the slightly bloated runtime and undercooked CGI.

Those are mostly the only complaints about a film chock full of fun surprises and moments that hardcore fans are sure to love. Deadpool & Wolverine isn’t perfect, but it is very good Marvel, leaving hope that the continuing tales from the MCU can regain its former prestige. Let’s go, indeed.