Review: Deadpool

The character of Wade Wilson may have been underwhelming and unfaithful to the comics in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but it seems Fox has been successful with their second shot at the Merc with the Mouth through their latest film in the X-Men franchise, Deadpool.

And guess what? They pulled it off! *collective gasp*

There really shouldn’t be any surprises there guys. Despite Fox’s first strike, Ryan Reynolds proved once and for all that he was perfect for this movie. After all, the guy spent ten years trying to get this movie off the ground, and having been blackmailed to go through with the train wreck that was Origins to be able to play Wade in the future, it’s understandable why he was so passionate for this movie to be as good as it was. He pulled off the role with such talent and grace that it could be said that he and Wade are one in the same.

Before Deadpool gets its (huge) praise and (small) criticism touched on, it is important to note that if you’re a parent considering taking your child to see this movie – please, please, do not do that. It will not end well. This Deadpool is not the child-friendly version that your son or daughter has seen that just says silly things in Lego Marvel Superheros or Ultimate Spiderman. The age-restrictions for this movie are there for a reason – Deadpool is polluted with sexual themes, blood, gore, heavy slang and dark humour. But that doesn’t mean it was bad. On the contrary, those elements are what make it such a fun ride for the grown-ups.

Now, the premise is pretty simple, like any super (anti) hero movie. Mercenary Boy meets Prostitute Girl, and falls in love. Boy gets cancer, joins illegal program to get cured. Boy gets cured, but gets an ugly mug and a Wolverine-esque healing factor to boot. Boy hunts down the people who made him ugly to make him un-ugly.

Basic premise aside, Fox stayed true to Deadpool’s crudely violent antics, nonsense-talking fourth-wall breaking anti-hero, with the right people leading the production of the movie.

On Wade’s disfigurement, T.J. Miller, the ‘overpaid director’ of the film, described the necessity for Wade’s severe scarring to be "f***ing horrible", otherwise there’d be no sympathy for such a character who acts as he does in response to the nature of his disfigurement if it were only mild. Miller also stars as Weasel, Wade’s best friend, who carries his own balance between as the comic relief and a major supporting character in Wade’s crusade against Ajax *clears through* correction, Francis.

Another few surprisingly good supporting characters were Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead. They both served as interesting foils to Wade’s two strongest traits – Colossus served (more like attempted) as the moral compass to Wade’s chaotic-neutral side, while Negasonic is silent and distant in contrast to Wade’s smack-talking in-your-face attitude. The way it was presented was well-done, with it clear that they were in the film for a reason, rather than just being there.

Amidst the many positives to Deadpool, there was one issue found with the movie, which was the pacing at the beginning. One of the most prominent parts featured in the trailers for the film was a lengthy fight sequence on an expressway, which transitions from Wilson fighting in a car, to taking the fight to the outdoors after causing the car to flip on its side. That sequence alone was a great way to open up the movie, especially with the opening credits. However, from time to time, the narrative would transition from the present to the time before Wade was Deadpool. This back-and-forth approach felt a little bit forced, which was evident when the second act of the film didn’t last for long once the transitioning from past to present had finished.

With that aside, the film had some really golden moments, such as the Zamboni scene, which serves as a perfect example of the film’s dark nature. It has a clear innuendo of a to-be gruesome death, which Wade cracks a joke about.

Even before then, it was clear that this version of Deadpool was a lot more authentic than the version from Origins. Thanks to the team that produced Deadpool, it is fair to say that Wade Wilson is now among the most accurately portrayed comic book character in film, with the only two rivals in that regard being Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark and Sir Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier.

Those details aside, Deadpool had set such a high bar through its exceptional marketing campaign, and despite the odds, the movie was not only able to leap over that bar, but set a new standard for R-rated superhero movies. Especially considering that Fox had greenlit a sequel before the movie had even been released.

This review is over now, reader; you’re free to leave and like or hate the movie.

Wait a sec, there’s one last thing. Stay for the credits until the end. There’s one last scene, and it’ll be worth waiting for.

Here’s a little peek of Wade Wilson in action.

#film #review #deadpool #ryanreynolds