★★★

If you thought Deadpool & Wolverine would exercise one iota of patience before wheeling out its show pony – the return of Hugh Jackman to his X-Men origins – then you thought wrong. Shaun Levy’s threequel is but seconds into action when Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool brandishes the shovel with which he will dig up old man Logan’s grave. It’s a deliciously tasteless opening to an often tastelessly delicious film. Funny, brash and casually bloody, Except, hold up, the body within has wasted away. Just the skeleton remains. The bare bones of former glory. It feels apt and, for once, unironic. For all the gags here levelled at Marvel’s expense, this Merc hasn’t any of the answers for long-term rejuvenation.