I know, you love superheroes, but sometimes they take themselves so seriously, right? Deadpool is the anti-hero antidote, working within the genre to create a fast paced origins/revenge story with mocking self-awareness. All I can say is: Don’t blink. The film delivers high velocity verbal action every bit as satisfying as the explosive, acrobatic exploits of its protagonist. Ryan Reynolds is devastatingly handsome and outrageously funny as Deadpool. Those of us who have been anticipating the movie for a while now, either enjoying the snarky trailers or trying to avoid them to maintain the suspense, have all been wondering: Can Deadpool really be such a fantastic movie? Oh yes.
Not to say too much, because I hate spoilers, but the self-mocking structure is there from the start, using formula and cliche both as sure-fire entertainment, and amusing critique. Likewise, in terms of story, Deadpool’s character is solidly built from the start as the hunky mercenary Wade Wilson comments: “I’m just a bad guy who gets paid to f—k up worse guys.” We expect snarky comments, bad attitude, and bad-ass smash ’em up antics and that’s what we get, super-power style.
Deadpool is altogether very meta and philosophical. For after all, what is a superhero? In rough terms – an ultra-strong and capable individual who is admired for beating up and killing other individuals with whom the consensus happens to disagree. On the very enjoyable surface level, Deadpool’s clever commentary, often addressing the viewer directly, is peppered with pop culture references. Lord of the Rings, X-Men series (obviously), Judy Blume, Notting Hill and Liam Neeson – everyone and everything is a target for Deadpool’s sharp tongue. He’s a lot of fun, dispenses useful fashion advice: “easy on the bedazzled those are jeans not a chandelier,” and sports one of the funniest sex scenes ever – all I can say is Happy International Women’s Day! Nothing is out of bounds for Deadpool, and that makes for a terrific movie!
Deadpool
Directed by Tim Miller; Screenplay: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick; Cinematography: Ken Seng; Editor: Julian Clarke; Music: Tom Holkenborg; Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano, Leslie Uggams, Brianna Hildebrand, Karan Soni, Jed Rees, Stefan Kapicic, Randal Reeder, Isaac C. Singleton Jr.
