Release date: February 12, 2016
Directed by: Tim Miller
Written by: Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick
Starring: Ryan Reynolds[1], Morena Baccarin[2], Ed Skrein, Gina Carano, Brianna Hildebrand, and T.J. Miller
After years of struggling to get the movie made and one huge misstep already in making that happen, Ryan Reynolds is finally bringing the Marvel[3] Comics anti-hero known as the "Merc with a Mouth" to the big screen – and it's every bit as vulgar and violent as the salivating fan base wants it to be.
Deadpool[4] fanboys and girls already know what to expect. But for the uninitiated....well, you're in for a treat, my friend.
What or who is Deadpool?
Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, a former Special Forces operative turned mercenary who is subjected to experimentation in the Weapon-X program (the same that produced Wolverine).
Ryan Reynolds is a fine actor, but his talent isn't enough to elevate a movie but he's also never been given the perfect vehicle to show off his snark and charm -- until now. Reynolds was born to play Deadpool.
Okay, what's this all about?
"Deadpool" is first and foremost, a love story. Ya see, Wade falls in love with a girl nearly as bad as he is, the gorgeous Morena Baccarin ("Firefly"). When diagnosed with multi-organ cancer, Wade is duped into the Weapon-X program and tortured by a second rate villain, Ajax (Stefan Kapicic) and his villainous sidekick Angel Dust (Gina Carano). Left disfigured by the tests, but blessed (or cursed?) with super hero regeneration and healing abilities, Wade takes on the name Deadpool and seeks revenge on Ajax. So, it's a love story. About revenge. And saying bad words while chopping off heads.
The script, from Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, is fast paced with a wicked-sharp tongue and makes no apologies. Still, despite great performances from the cast, especially T.J. Miller in sidekick formation, it's lacking depth. But that really doesn't matter, does it? Nope.
Haven't we seen Deadpool already?
Yes, but not like this. Remember that awful "Wolverine" solo movie from a few years ago – no, no, the really bad one – "X-Men[5] Origins: Wolverine"? That was Reynolds as Wade Wilson -- and he was turned into the Deadpool in that flick. Only Fox, with apparently no idea what they were doing and no respect for the source material, sewed his mouth shut and made him more of a Frankenstein's monster than the smartass, slice and dice narcissist he is in the comics. Whoops.
Since then, Reynolds has worked passionately with director Tim Miller to bring Deadpool back to the big screen and give the fans what they wanted but were unforgivably deprived of the first time.
What makes Deadpool…different?
Well, what has everyone giddy with glee is the amount of profanity that will be spewing from Deadpool's mouth as he dismembers his enemies in violent and bloody fashion. But what truly separates him is his knack for breaking the fourth wall, i.e. "talking to the audience". It makes for a lot of fun interactions and jokes, most of which toe that line between the movie universe and the self-awareness that he is living in a comic book world.
Creatively, "Deadpool" is constantly reminding its audience that is a different breed from the "X-Men" movies or even "Avengers", but when you get past the profanity and violence, it really is as simple as every other comic book movie.
Is this related to other movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Okay, so, here is the deal. This is Marvel – but not "Avengers"-Marvel. This is from 20th Century Fox, the universe of the "X-Men" movies. To tie the universes together, we get fun appearances from a couple of B-team "X-Men" – Colossus (voiced by Stefan Kapicic), who has been seen in previous flicks; and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) – plus tons of references and jokes (mostly jokes) about other nearly every other comic book movie from "Green Lantern" to those other Marvel movies, even taking several jabs at the tragedy that was Fox's last take on Deadpool.
Eventually, the idea is to incorporate the Merc with a Mouth into the X-Men movies (Fox is also planning an "X-Force" movie.) It would be really interesting to see Mr. Pool mixing it up properly with Professor X and hsi boys, but the fourth wall gimmick makes it difficult – is this in the same universe or spoofing it? The answer is a little of both. This movie is going to be huge. Merging properties is inevitable, but will it work? Fox has a lot to think about.
Should I take my kids?
NO! Just…don't. Yes, it's a comic book character movie but this is rated R and for good reason. There is a lot of curse words, vulgar jokes, blood, nudity, blood, sexual situations and even more sexual innuendo -- and even more assorted chopped off body parts. It's okay to be liberal about what you let your kids watch, but save this one for a more controlled home viewing if you just have to share it with the kids.
Is there an after-credits scene?
It's Marvel, so yes. Our press screening saw one – more of a jokey tag – but director Miller promises an additional scene will be added it when the film hits theatres. Something tying the movies together? Maybe. So, by all means, stay.
Final verdict:
"Deadpool" is a fun twist on the comic book genre, but it's not the "game-changer" everyone wants it to be. It's hilarious and ultra-violent, but other than that it offers absolutely nothing that hasn't already been played out in literally every other super hero movie. But, who cares? Go, enjoy. Just leave the kids at home.
7/10
References
- ^ Ryan Reynolds (www.examiner.com)
- ^ Morena Baccarin (www.examiner.com)
- ^ Marvel (www.examiner.com)
- ^ Deadpool (www.examiner.com)
- ^ X-Men (www.examiner.com)
