AN ODE TO FOX
It has been a while since Marvel’s Deadpool and Wolverine has come to the big screens. Many views have been cast out by audiences alike, ranging from a soulless nostalgia cameo first to an endearing departure from the Fox Universe to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). I am part of the latter cohort of opinions when I think about Deadpool & Wolverine as a whole.
This movie is a dedicated ode to the Fox universe. Uniquely crafted, written with love, care, and many a joke (ones that fly over your head as a casual fan or hit home as a die-hard fan), it is a special piece of cinema, if we’re all being honest.
A lot of us grew up with Hugh Jackman at the forefront of the X-Men universe, and seeing him putting on the suit we’ve all been waiting for and donning that cowl, in what might be his last Logan gig, was an incredibly earnest moment for us all.
Then we have Ryan Reynolds, who has been fighting tooth and nail to see Deadpool brought to life. The way he carries the character with such grace, understanding, and detail? We’ve come a long way from what the character was in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the leaked (maybe a credit to Ryan himself) footage.
But those aren’t the odes I’m referring to. No, I’m talking about the lost Fox characters, the ones whose movies started all of this. Whose movies weren’t given time of day or weren’t even created. Whose movies we rode so hard for those movies because it was so good, and we didn’t know if we’d ever see those characters again. Those are the odes I’m talking about.
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To Elektra, to Gambit, to Blade, and to X-23, who honestly, I’m just gonna start calling Laura because that is her name. We love you, and we appreciate you.
Elektra, maybe your film wasn’t that great, but you were the first female solo Marvel superhero film we got, and that has to stand for something since we are still struggling with those till now.
Gambit, though we may never know what your film would’ve been. The little glimpses we saw with Channing Tatum at the helm and the response shows us audiences want to see Remy LeBeau, our favourite Cajun, on the big screen (possibly a Thieves Guild wink wink film).
Blade, you were the true start, a true testimony that gory, r rated superhero films do work and they kick ass. For that, I will always appreciate you, and to see Wesley Snipe and Ryan Reynolds together again, knowing the history was a true joy for me.
Laura McKinney, honestly watching your growth from Logan to now has been a joy. You will always be Wolverine to me, and I hope to see you in a Young Avengers film soon.
Some people may call this film a cameo fest, and yes, there were plenty, but they all had meaning and heart, and that was the soul of the film. It was saying bye to the Fox universe in the most sincere and Deadpool-ish way possible, and that’s exactly what this film did. Couple that with the end credits dedicated behind-the-scenes montage, and who can say that this film lacks heart? Only those who just don’t get it.
You may not like the film as a whole, but take a minute to understand what it represents. Who knows, you may think of things a little differently.
