Deadpool ****
With the state of the planet today, it seems like all the superheroes have decided to hide under the duvet, rather than take on world affairs. Such is the case with latest Marvel screen offering and anti-hero Deadpool – reprised by Ryan Reynolds who’s hung up his Green Lantern costume for now. Deadpool prefers a personal vendetta to settle. After all, this former comic-book super villain is known as the ‘Merc with a Mouth’ for his cocky repertoire, so it’s hardly surprising he’s rubbed a few backs up the wrong way.
Ex-Special Forces op turned mercenary Wade (Reynolds) has the gift of the gab and the beautiful girl (Vanessa, played by Morena Baccarin), but also found out he’s got terminal cancer. Offered the chance to be ‘cured’ a mysterious organisation, Wade is left with accelerated healing powers, a bad disfigurement and an arch nemesis in Ajax (Ed Skrein). Renaming himself Deadpool, Wade goes on the hunt for Ajax who claims to be able to cure his predicament, while trying to find and reconnect with his girl.
From the get-go we’re introduced to Deadpool and his smart-ass mouth as he deals with villains in slow-mo balletic form. Even the title sequence is hilariously graphic and cheeky in its own right, setting the tone before we hear the ‘Mouth from the Merc’. With all the usual seriousness associated with superhero films and their planetary quests these days (cue X-men jibes throughout), it’s so refreshing and decadent to hear a rebel voice from a less-than-perfect anti-hero. There is a lot of smut but it’s rapid-fired at you that any offence is quick to evaporate. That said Deadpool sets out to be offensive in every possible way – no apologies made – so the fainter-hearted might want to steer clear. For the rest of us, Deadpool is comic-book comedy gold.
Reynolds has certainly found his stride with this character, really making the little known Marvel assailant into a lead player. He gets to rock a wicked looking costume with a wicked-sounding mouth while toying with borderline mentally unstable – just as fans of the character will love. Deadpool is much like arch villain The Joker in anti-establishment, ‘finger-saluting’ fashion but way cooler in style. The result is more gory 18-rated damage while being led, Fourth-wall style, though his grizzlier bits.
Like all decent comic-book-adapted films, Deadpool offers oodles of action-packed scenes, the thrilling transformation into superhero status (complete with DIY costume making), and the stunning girl, along with the adult humour. Even X-Men fans with a sense of humour won’t mind the Deadpool taunts, especially after his and Wolverine’s last meeting in 2009 (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and with upcoming film Apocalypse.
Indeed, there are plenty of supporting roles to thoroughly enjoy, like X-Men mansion residents, metal-mountain Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) trying to remain chivalrous while being pummeled by Gina Carano’s Angel Dust, and moody Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) proving Deadpool’s greatest mental challenge. This whole affair is more about the characters than settling any great score.
Deadpool is a seriously damaged super-being to get behind while watching the ‘car crash’ unfold – potty mouth aside. He’s not just anti-establishment but sends up the rash of superhero, cinematic white noise that fills the box office in recent times in a highly entertaining way. As they say, there’s a fine line between good and evil, with this ballsy character dancing back and forth over it with utter contemptible glee.
4/5 stars
By @FilmGazer
