'Deadpool' A Review

Deadpool is a superhero action/comedy based on the titular Marvel merc-with-a-mouth. The film opens on Deadpool(Ryan Reynolds) on his way to confront Francis aka Ajax(Ed Skrein) and exact revenge. During the gruesome shootout action is paused periodically by Deadpool who then narrates flashbacks of what is essentially his origin story- after falling in love with Vanessa(Morena Baccarin) the then Wade Wilson is diagnosed with cancer, he volunteers for an experimental procedure which cures him but leaves him horribly scared. The flashbacks comprise two thirds of the film, the latter third is the inevitable confrontation(with the bad guy) and reconciliation(with Vanessa).

Certainly good looking and charming Reynolds has never displayed anything like range. Fortunately Deadpool lies directly in his sweetspot. Reynolds hasn't played a part more suited to his actual abilities since his breakout stint in Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place and as the eponymous Van in Van Wilder. It's a good fit and Reynolds is funny and physically capable to pull it off. He is less successful when he attempts to bring unnecessary heart to the insane bawdy character. Baccarin is wasted as the two dimensional prostitute turned girlfriend, although it is nice to see her on the big screen. Skrein as the villain is pedestrian. T.J. Miller is funny as the bartender/psuedo-sidekick but seems to serve no purpose save additional comic relief. Reynolds does a decent job as the lead while the remaining cast seems to simply fill holes and hit marks, not bad exactly just transparently utilitarian.

The raunch, the comedy, the fourth-wall breaking bring an element of freshness to the Marvel-verse but Deadpool is still hamstrung by its superhero/origin-story conventions. The film feels different but only in comparison to the glutton of rote comic book fare.

Better than Ant-Man but not by much.

Rent It.