A few years ago, there was a Jason Statham movie called “Crank” about a man who had been poisoned. He was dying, but he did whatever he needed to do to stay alive while avenging his death on the people who had him killed. The film was so tongue-in-cheek that it was actually entertaining. And funny.
Much the same can be said about “Deadpool,” but this movie certainly is not for everyone. This character is not only rude and offensive. He kills bad guys for fun.
We first met Deadpool on screen in the X-Men prequel, “Origins – Wolverine.” Wade Wilson was one of the band of mercenaries who eventually is turned into an antihero and ends up hunting down Hugh Jackman with disastrous results.
This time, they have rebooted the origin story of Deadpool and the results are more in tune with the comic book version. He’s still rude, he’s still offensive but they didn’t sew his mouth shut. (Not that it didn’t cross the villain’s mind.)
Right from the opening credits, you know that you’re in for a fun ride on this movie. No names are presented, just character descriptions. When the director is identified as a studio tool, you understand entirely where the film is going.
It wastes no time getting there. Right from the opening scenes, the action begins. You have to love those classic slow motion action scenes where bullets, blades and bodies fly and contort all over the screen while the antihero narrates what we’re watching with a sardonic lilt in his voice.
But the movie isn’t all over-the-top action. We’re treated to Wilson’s recent history, too. And it’s filled with mirth and much, much more. Mostly, though, it’s the love story of him and the girl he met and fell for, Vanessa, played by the stunningly beautiful Morena Baccarin.
And who doesn’t like a romantic interlude or two for Valentine’s Day weekend? Hey, if a story about bondage can capture last year’s box office, why not a sarcastic mercenary who cuts off the heads of bad guys for fun, right?
This is absolutely not a superhero movie meant for kids, though. While the blood and gore are kept to a minimum (gratuitous cartoon violence, though, is maximized) the character swears almost as much as Robert DeNiro in one of his mobfest comedies.
The movie is rated R for a reason, folks. I remember when South Park hit the big screen and parents leaving the theater complained to management about how vulgar that “children’s cartoon” was. This movie is not for children, despite being based on a Marvel comic character. Some characters were touted for being written for more mature audiences, and this is certainly one of those.
Ryan Reynolds is obviously having fun in this role, playing entirely for the audience. He addresses us almost as much as he taunts the bad guys, and the first-person narrative is one of the charms and delights of this movie. He’s definitely not your average or typical superhero. Even he admits that.
The supporting characters, though, aren’t as fun as the star. And rightfully so. Even they aren’t stuck in the real world. This is Deadpool’s reality and you either conform and be a part of it or you’re dead.
And the same goes for the bad guys. Ed Skrein may not be a household name on screen yet, but he has appeared on Game of Thrones and starred in the reboot of the “Transporter” series on the big screen. While Deadpool regenerates when he is wounded, Skrein’s character, Ajax, can’t feel any pain. I’m not sure that’s a great super power, though. I think I’d rather know when I’ve been seriously hurt so I would realize when to stand down against a virtual killing machine.
For those who like to stay to the end of the credits to see if there are appropriately featured Easter Eggs, this movie won’t disappoint. There is a particularly satisfying one here that harkens back to the Ferris Bueller days.
Will there be a sequel? If audiences embrace this story, I won’t doubt it. It’s a lot more fun than some superhero movie installments (“Punisher,” anyone?) and Reynolds and company are just likeable enough to pull it off.
But Cable as a co-star? I don’t know … It depends on who they cast (Hopefully Ahh-nold isn’t an ahhp-tion.)
I give “Deadpool” four out of five stars.
