Deadpool is directed by debut director Tim Miller and stars Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein and T.J Miller. The latest addition to the X-Men franchise and the second spinoff of a character, Deadpool is a film by fans for fans. The first R/15 rated superhero film in the generally 12 rated X-Men franchise, Deadpool is a gleefully violent comedy and a film which sets things right (goodbye mouth-sewn-shut Deadpool).
In it, 'mercenary' Wade Wilson (Reynolds) lives a happy life with his partner, Vanessa Carlysle (Baccarin) until he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. However, in an effort to get rid of the cancer, Wade secretly signs up with a mysterious organisation led by Ajax (Skrein) to get an experimental cure. What follows renders Wade pretty much immortal with wounds able to heal almost instantaneously. But with these abilities comes a horrible disfigurement of his body and Wade, now under the name 'Deadpool', seeks revenge on Ajax.
Deadpool is the perfect recovery of the fan favourite character, bringing the previously underused and trashed character back on track, as well as Reynolds' career. In the film he continuously pushed to have made, Reynolds is simply hilarious. He was born to play Deadpool and Deadpool was created to be played by Reynolds. Whilst he is achingly funny, he is also touching in a few scenes, adding depth to this character. The fourth wall breaks are equally well done and amusing, never over the top but always there to remind us why we love Deadpool and the film never takes the audience as stupid, for example Deadpool points out there are only two minor X-Men because of the film's small budget, a question you may find yourself asking as well.
The action scenes are brutal and gory, another superhero film that is comparable to this is Kick-Ass; stylised, messy violence as Deadpool shoots and stabs his way through soldiers as if they were made of butter. Yet the 108 minute runtime can be simply summarised with: highway fight, kidnapping of girlfriend, rescue said girlfriend. This is because the film has a non-linear storyline for the first act as Deadpool takes us back to before he was a "testicle with teeth" and this is a clever idea. Rather then bogging us down with the classic origin story, intertwining it with current action scenes make the film all the more enjoyable and it benefits from this fresh way of storytelling. Where Deadpool doesn't benefit, however, is the story. Deadpool may be constantly taking the mickey out of other superhero films but the film is also deeply formulaic with the damsel in distress at the end. It may not be taking itself seriously, but the film loses its sense of unpredictability as we get closer to the intense fist fight at the end.
A great addition to this film are the two minor X-Men, Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, who are trying to recruit Deadpool to the X-Men. Colossus is portrayed as a gentlemen like hero who tries to stop unnecessary violence and nudity. Colossus is a metaphor for 20th Century Fox in general: a constant presence in the movie that is trying to limit Deadpool's violence but is repeatedly rejected to allow the carnage to continue. His speech about being a hero is Fox's way of saying "listen, can you tone it down so you can be the 12 rated X-Men film?" but Deadpool as a film and as a character are sticking their middle fingers up at regulations and role.
This film is the result of a studio not being as involved and it has payed off considerably. The plot may be formulaic, but the comedy is gold and small scale gory fights are much funnier than overstuffed CGI battles. Sure, the movie may not reinvigorate the genre in the same way 'The Dark Knight' or 'Avengers' did, but it offers a fresh take on the superhero film and it is a fresh take that has to be seen, just not with your parents.
