Deadpool
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin
Directed by Tim Miller
The Merc with a Mouth finally gets sweet, bloody justice in the long-awaited superhero spin-off flick Deadpool. Ryan Reynolds’ first on-screen incarnation of the fan favourite character occurred in the much-maligned 2009 Wolverine standalone flick. Many questioned the cinematic future of the foul-mouthed anti-hero but fan support, talented writers, and a studio willing to gamble on an R-rated comic book movie have enabled it to succeed.
The plot is as simple as they come; after receiving a devastating diagnosis Wade Wilson (Reynolds), a former Special Forces operative turned mercenary, endures an experimental procedure that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, a badass attitude, and new identity. Deadpool’s story, villains, and production value are serviceable at best, but Reynolds’ endlessly amusing quips and the torrent of snappy jokes courtesy of screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick make it arguably the funniest film of the year. Graphic violence, full frontal nudity (Vancouver’s own No. 5 Orange strip club figures prominently in one sequence), and coarse language throughout ensure the movie is not for children but that is perhaps what is so refreshing about it. The movie makes no apologies for its humble budget and basic premise; in fact it goes out of its way to make numerous meta-references that poke fun at everything from Hugh Jackman to Reynold’s own portrayal of the DC-owned Green Lantern.
Deadpool is basically the Die Hard of superhero movies, wisely eschewing the usual family friendly fare and giving one big middle finger to the current tentpole franchises.
