Deadpool Review
The Merc with a mouth is finally here…in proper form…without his mouth sewn shut. For those of you out there who didn’t see it (most people) this is not the first time Deadpool, played by Reyn Reynolds, has come to the silver screen, in 2009’s disastrous X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The Deadpool in that film beared no resemblance (costume, abilities, origin, lack of a mouth) to the quick-talking Deadpool beloved both by comic fans and Reynolds himself, who spent five years fighting for a Deadpool role.
Ryan Reynolds, Director Ted Miller and writers Reese and Wernick (Zombieland) continued to fight for the existence of the film, but were repeatedly sandbagged by Fox. After four years the project seems dead. However liked Deadpool himself the film advances back to life in unexpected fashion. In the summer of 2014 a short CGI test footage was leaked onto the internet and quickly went viral. Some copies reached millions of views despite Fox’s whack-a-mole. This finally gave Reynolds and Co. the traction they needed to get Deadpool off the ground, with a proper R rating.
So after 12 years (Reynolds first requested the role in 2004) of effort from Reynolds is Deadpool worth it? Yes. Deadpool really, really, really is Deadpool in this. The filmmakers and Reynolds have captured his essence perfectly. He is the funny, crazy, silly, fourth-wall-breaking, sexualy depraved anti-hero we all know and love from two decades of comic books. Reynolds is just perfect, makes sense since he’s been fanboying for a 12 years. The others, particularly T.J. Miller as Weasel and Morena Baccarin as Vanessa are all nearly perfect in their roles.
What else is great? This is going to take a while. The film is “beyond meta,” is constantly self referential, poking fun at the genera, the character, the actors, Ryan Reynolds and the process of movie making (ad lib: “I wonder why I only see two of you, maybe because the studio couldn’t afford more X-men?). The chemistry between characters is realistic and hilarious and the romance between Wade Wilson (Deadpool’s real name) and Vanessa is the best I’ve seen in years (as someone who hates movie romances). Those remarkably sly intro credits. The combat and effects are superb and the pacing is tight and kinetic. Also it is great to see a proudly R-rated superhero film, with blood, violence, dismemberment, foul language and sex (the funniest sex since team America), this is really not a kids movie. Also Stan Lee works as a strip club announcer.
In short Deadpool is funny, whitty and funny once again film. But it is also heartfelt and human, straying far away from the nihilism that has infected many R-rated productions.
Rating: 85