Rating: A
At long last, Ryan Reynolds finally received the title role of the feature-length superhero film that he so desired. In fact, it’s a story that may have never reached the big screen after years spent in development limbo. Ever since his superhero film debut came in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” as the character Wade Wilson/Deadpool, audiences have been waiting for such a movie to be created strictly about his character. You can get a better taste for him by reading comics published by Marvel or by playing the “Deadpool” video game, which debuted in 2013. But if you’re heading to the theater thinking you are going to see some cheesy superhero flick filled with clever puns and “maximum effort” to save the world, let alone children-appropriate material, think again.
The bottom line is that Marvel Comics’ “Deadpool” is everything you ever wanted in a superhero action film: it’s delightfully profane, with striking graphic action sequences and a pretty face to look at when Reynolds isn’t clad in red. While a rated-R film from Marvel is nearly unheard of, it is only appropriate for a character like Deadpool, whose life in comics is lived by his standards, and his mission to find and kill the man who tortured him in experimentation, Ajax (Ed Skrein), only empowers his humor and his fury. After all, who wants to suffer the humiliation of being tortured by a British man nicknamed after dish soap?
Going to see this heartwarming tale with your college friends would be one of the best uses of your time and money. You will have plenty of crude running jokes afterward and an enhanced taste of what a superhero — or more appropriately, “antihero” — can really be. Driven by the chance to star as the title character since his appearance in the aforementioned “X-Men” flick, Reynolds shines in his new role and leads a powerful, sword-wielding story of revenge. He is co-starred by Morena Baccarin, who has made appearances in the popular television shows “Firefly” and “Gotham.” Ed Skrein was mentioned in a previous film review for his role in “The Transporter Refueled,” and his knack to do evil is well suited for his role in “Deadpool.”
While there never seem to be any boundaries to Reynolds in terms of film roles, there are far fewer boundaries to Deadpool as a character. Ever since his first appearance in a comic book, he has been a hit with readers and viewers alike, mostly for his humor and inability to take almost anything seriously. He also dishes out a great amount of “fourth-wall” breaks in “Deadpool,” making him one of few in superhero films to ever do so.
Additionally, there continues to be no problems of versatility and diversity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Deadpool” is a one-of-a-kind film, and a first of many considering that 20th Century Fox has already greenlit a sequel. This is great news for Marvel. If they turn out another hit, they will be able to add this newest series to a long list of successful franchises.
What does this do for an industry that is constantly pushing the boundaries of the superhero film genre? It means that there will never be any shortage of films of the type. So as long as the world has comic genius, we will always have lovable guys like Deadpool.
