Deadpool & Wolverine, the 34th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the first R-Rated film in Disney's history, hits theaters with a unique blend of humor and action that fans of the franchise will appreciate. Directed by Shawn Levy (Free Guy, Stranger Things, 8 episodes) and featuring a screenplay he co-wrote with Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells, this superhero flick offers plenty of laughs and nostalgia, despite a long narrative setup.

As a comedy, Deadpool & Wolverine is gold. Reynolds, reprising his role as the wisecracking Deadpool, delivers an array of one-liner jokes that had the audience laughing out loud. His frequent breaking of the fourth wall adds an extra layer of humor that fans of the character have come to love. Hugh Jackman, rocking the classic yellow and blue Wolverine suit seen in "Wolverine: The Animated Series," brings a nostalgic thrill for 90s kids and comic book aficionados alike. The chemistry between Reynolds and Jackman is electric, with their banter providing some of the film's most memorable moments.

However, the film's story drags a bit, particularly in its setup. The need to catch the audience up with concepts introduced in the Marvel Disney+ series "LOKI," particularly the Time Variance Authority (TVA), slows the pace. Despite Ryan Reynolds's infectious storytelling abilities, the exposition-heavy beginning feels just a little cumbersome. The villain, Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), is largely forgettable and feels disposable, failing to make a lasting impact. This is of no fault of Corrin but simply the hallow way her character is written.

What Deadpool & Wolverine lacks in narrative depth, it makes up for with top-notch fan service, cameos, and battles that die-hard Marvel fans will cherish. The costume design by Graham Churchyard and Mayes C. Rubeo is particularly noteworthy, with Jackman's Wolverine suit standing out as a highlight. Additionally, Deadpool has a fresh redesign of his original suit that is a brighter red.

The soundtrack is incredible, injecting energy into the film with tracks like *NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye," which accompanies the memorable opening bloody sequence which serves as a unique credits title sequence with blades and people's skulls having the talents and their titles displayed for the audience to see. Other notable songs include Madonna's "Like a Prayer," Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," and Chicago's "You're the Inspiration." The end credits feature fun clips during the scroll and an additional scene after the credits that leaves the audience with one last chuckle.

The subpar story is made up for by brilliant editing, a fast-paced narrative, solid cinematography, and a humorous script led by actors with big charisma. Deadpool & Wolverine is more of the same as previous Deadpool films, but with enough fan service and entertaining moments to make it a worthwhile watch for Marvel enthusiasts.