Rating of
3/4
Deadpool is the (Anti) Hero We Need
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/13/16
If there is one thing for certain about Deadpool, it certainly earns that R rating - that, and it's a whole mouthful of fun. Ryan Reynolds (who has been championing a Deadpool film for ages) finally gets his wish and it is worth the wait. From fourth-wall breaking moments, wicked one-liners and brutal fight scenes - Deadpool delivers in a way that is delightfully true to the comics and not afraid to be bad.
The film opens in slow-motion mid-freeway battle - and it's immediate how this is going to go as the opening credits bill the producers as Asshats and the stars as "God's perfect idiot", a "hot chick" and an "entirely CGI character" - plus we also get a reference to Reynolds terrible Green Lantern and his penchant for Hello Kitty. The film goes to great lengths to reference the terrible Wade Wilson/Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, as well as poke fun at the current X-Men films as well as target a lot of other things (from Hugh Jackman to Taken to Blade - another comic book adaptation Reynolds was a part of).
But the fun factor is only one part, Deadpool doesn't tone down the violence nor the language nor even the sex - send the kiddies to bed because this isn't The Avengers or Superman, Deadpool gets down and dirty and isn't afraid to pop out a boob or two or throw around more than a few casual F-bombs to lighten the mood. Colossus (Stefan Kapicic for the voice and Greg LaSalle for the facial performance) is the boy scout - constantly berating Deadpool for his language and general lack of morals, not that he cares. Morena Baccarin is the love interest Vanessa, a woman whose mind and body perfectly match the nature of Wilson.
Rounding out the cast is Ed Skrein as Francis/Ajax - a mutant who can feel no pain nor emotion and has no qualms openly torturing people for profit. His henchwoman is Gina Carano, playing the buff Angel Dust and mainly scowling. T.J. Miller is bar owner/ Wilson's acerbic friend Weasel - the wisecracking comic relief. And even though her part is much too brief, hats off to newcomer Brianna Hildebrand who portrays the sullen teen with the most awesome name Negasonic Teenage Warhead - she's explosive in more ways than one. Also watch out for a killer cameo from Stan Lee!
The film jumps around from present to past - exploring how Wade Wilson went from a mouthy mercenary (doing good-ish deeds) to the mouthy scarred and scary Deadpool (doing violent morally grey good-ish deeds - and seeking revenge). Origins stories are usually rubbish, but in this case I was mostly amused and it was a good way to introduce many of the characters while also getting to know the big picture.
By far the most fun in Deadpool is the oft-breaking of the fourth wall. This is when Deadpool talks directly to the audience or throws out knowledge only we would know. My personal favorite was Colossus saying he was going to take Deadpool to see the Professor to which Deadpool replies "McEvoy or Stewart? I find these parallel universes so confusing." There are many more examples - all are hilarious and is the one thing that really sets this apart from any previous superhero movie (and also lines up well with the comics).
Provided you aren't bothered by the carnage, nudity and language (and if you are... prude) - Deadpool is quite possibly the most fun you'll have at a movie all year. A love letter from Reynolds that hits the mark - let's hope a rumored sequel (stay for the those post credits) happens sooner rather than later.
