It’s a great feeling when one of your most anticipated films of the year comes out in February. It’s like a giant weight was taken off of my impatient shoulders. What makes a situation like this even better is when said anticipated film lives up to your high expectations. Yes people, that’s correct, Deadpool lived up to its lofty promises and delivered in all the ways I hoped it would. Fanboys rejoice ‘cause it was fucking awesome!
Deadpool follows Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), a former Special Forces operative turned mercenary who, after being diagnosed with cancer, decides to undergo an experimental surgery which turns him into the titular character. Fueled by vengeance, Wade goes after Ajax (Ed Skrein), the man who treated him, in an effort to return his disfigured body to its former beautiful glory.
For those that don’t know much about Deadpool’s character, here are the basics: He’s known as the “merc with a mouth” because he has no filter. He curses, he says highly inappropriate things, and is downright hilarious. Also, he’s basically indestructible which allows him to be careless and stupid. Lastly, he breaks the fourth wall so expect him to talk to the audience throughout the film.
Now that those basics are out of the way, I’m going to say a few basic things because I don’t want to spoil anything for you.
Firstly, we all thought Robert Downey Jr was the perfect Iron Man, but I think Ryan Reynolds may have just one-uped him for best character/actor combination. This man is so passionate about Deadpool and bringing the correct character to life that you can feel his passion throughout the film. It took eight years to get a proper Deadpool film made and you can really see that by making it a small and tight film that the results paid off, especially since he and the filmmakers had so much creative control.
Secondly, every aspect of Deadpool that fans love oozes at maximum quantities. The film is hilarious, raunchy, bloody and so self-aware that it all works in perfect harmony. It makes fun of so many aspects of the production and other versions of mutant characters that it’s like a reward for those that have supported past super hero films, good and bad.
Thirdly, while it feels like a conventional origin story at times, that part is told through flashbacks, so we don’t’ have to stick to a linear storyline, but what makes it stand out is Reynolds’ superb dramatic performance and the authenticity with the origin drama. You actually feel for the character, which I find doesn’t happen that often with super hero films.
Lastly, and most importantly, are the supporting characters and talent. Reynolds is the star and crushes it, but having Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) alone is a win. He’s a great frenemy that tries to turn Deadpool good even though all he wants is revenge. He’s also pretty funny. Ajax on the other hand is one of the most enjoyable villains since Tom Hiddleston’s Loki. He doesn’t feel any pain so when he actually fights with Deadpool you almost think his powers are the same, they put up a good fight. The one guy who occasionally steals the show from Reynolds is T.J. Miller as Weasel, Wade’s best friend. His jokes are on point and he is the only character who is actually able to make Wade feel worse than he does. Then there’s Wade’s wife, Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), she is the perfect complement to Wade’s insanity. Like Wade, she’s sexy, sexually aggressive, and gives zero fucks about anyone else, making them a great pair. You also have Gina Carano as Angel Dust who is essentially there to fight Colossus and punch Deadpool in the face.
Overall, I absolutely loved Deadpool. Even if there are minor issues I refuse to acknowledge them because this film was a labor of love that proved R-rated movies with a central focus on character CAN succeed. Sometimes there’s no reason to try and change what actually works and what fans love, director Tim Miller’s film is actual proof that staying true to source material is ok to do. Deadpool is the hilarious, raunchy, hard-R anti-hero film we’ve all been waiting for. I already know it’s going to be one of my favorite movies of the year and I can’t wait to see it again!
NOTE: DO NOT MISS ANY OF THE OPENING CREDITS AND MAKE SURE YOU STAY UNTIL THE END, THERE IS AN AFTER CREDIT SEQUENCE. ALSO, THIS MOVIE IS NOT FOR KIDS UNLESS YOU WANT THEM TO LEARN ABOUT ANAL SEX.
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