Rating: A-
Wade Wilson (aka Deadpool), is the newest addition to the slew of superheroes in the Marvel cinematic universe. Played exceptionally well by Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool is all about sex, hefty violence, and Wham! This is not a Disney Marvel film (Avengers, Iron Man, Thor etc), it is a 20th Century Fox Marvel film (X-Men, Fanatastic Four, etc) and it is the first R rated Marvel film released.
Hype and context aside, I was feeling very neutral prior to seeing Deadpool, and as I walked into the cinema the whole place was awash with lads wearing caps and snapbacks. But, despite the smell of ciggies, body odour and Lynx ruining my general comfort levels, Deadpool was a hilarious and fun time.
Flashback storytelling as a filmic device is done superbly well, with no boring, hour-long build up before Wade finally puts on his suit to become Deadpool. This action from the get go, that makes this film a little more enticing and different to other Marvel origin stories, where audiences are forced to listen to an hour of context and character motivation that then drives the plot of the film. Deadpool begins right in the middle of an action sequence making a lasting impression from the start. There are a ton of nerdy and bizarre references to Green Lantern (which Reynolds was the star of), Hugh Jackman’s genitals, and the attempts at presenting Deadpool in previous films (see, Wolverine Origins. Actually… maybe don’t)
True to the characterisation and format of the comics, Deadpool is fun, entertaining, breaks the fourth wall constantly (and at one point a 16th wall), and unashamedly shows all forms of genitals. Each action scene is tremendously entertaining and will have you reciting the superb one-liners long after. Most importantly, Deadpool doesn’t require the standard superhero “saving the world plot”, and this is constantly made fun of throughout the film. While the film pokes fun throughout at how the characters are all cardboard cut-out stereotypes, (ie. The hot chick, the comic relief, the moody teenager), this film still suffers from the recurring Marvel disease of boring villains. Conversly, Reynolds captures the crazy Deadpool spirit brilliantly, and consequtnly, he is truly the only character that shines, inevitably the factor that let this film down.