Director: Tim Miller
By Alex Watson
Deadpool is certainly Marvel's funniest effort yet, but despite having the laugh factor it still has some kinks to iron out. It is great to finally have the foul-mouthed and lewd anti-hero that fans have been craving for but director Tim Miller for this installment doesn't quite stick the landing. Endless amounts of dick jokes come thick and fast and, for the most part, this quick-witted mercenary is a refreshing change of course.
Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a former soldier turned mercenary who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Looking for a way out he turns to an unorthodox operation run by Ajax (Ed Skrein) which although gives him regenerative powers, also severely disfigures him. Eager for revenge on the man who ruined his life, Wilson gets a new red suit and christens himself Deadpool. All the while seeking to reunite with his love Vanessa (Morena Baccarin).
Deadpool is a movie that smartly defies convention and while set in the same world as X-Men it still feels free to mock it. Putting a different spin the origins story, Miller's movie forgoes the urge to delay the moment when its hero suits up. A deadly funny and supremely violent opening credits set on a freeway to 'Angel of The Morning' sets the tone up. In between this bloody and funny battle, we learn how he fell in love, how he believes Wham! earned their exclamation point with 'Make It Big' and finally made a life altering decision while his mouth runs riot. Wilson isn't made out to be a man seeking to do good and the movie does acknowledge that in some ways he is a dick. Deadpool is a hero that is far different from the sullen Wolverine in that he is talkative and has a love of breaking the fourth wall. Problem is that although his continuous smut is entertaining it starts to drag the film down.
The moments were the movie mocks it X-Men roots often feels like the movies weak link. Deadpool bemoans the budget only affording X-Men Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) and the teenage Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand). Also, he wonders aloud whether Stewart or McAvoy will be back at the Xavier Mansion? Though it wonderfully puts a middle finger to the serious approach that Bryan Singer has brought, it leaves the movie with a very uneven feel. Its comic feel often distorts the movie's feel and although Miller has the laughs factor pinned down, the juvenile humor comes so often it feels like Van Wilder himself donned the red suit. After the failure of Green Lantern, Ryan Reynolds was keen to atone and you can tell that this guy is having a ball behind the mask.
One wise element of Deadpool comes from just how minor the central plot is. There is no world in danger or family to save, this guy is just pissed and wants to get even. Ajax is a villain who although lacks any kind of depth still carries a real presence. Getting his name from a cleaning product is openly mocked by Wilson as well as his real name. Still he is a typically ruthless and cold blooded British villain. The ending sequence is bound to sport a few giggles purely from how much funny is pumped into it. Just watch Colossus speech about how life has 'five moments' without nearly collapsing from the aftermath. Miller earns his points for creativity in this picture, though mainly because it's actually kind of cool hearing 'Careless Whisper' for once.
Ryan Reynolds has finally found the superhero that he can excel in and allowing his character is set a land speed record for talking is the movie's real fuel. Reynolds openly mocks his botched Green Lantern attempt and embraces his new found glory. Many have been skeptical of his ability to anchor a franchise, but this picture proves that he still has it in him. His character may not be perfect, but Reynolds gives Deadpool a likeability where other actors may have struggled. Ed Skrein earns points for pure presence and with little to work with he somehow comes out as one of the most offbeat Marvel villains for some time. Also credit to Stefan Kapicic for his sterling support worker as heroic but slightly clueless Colossus.
Deadpool might not be rank alongside X-Men or The Avengers in terms of being the strongest offering but it sure is the most entertaining. Tim Miller reminds us of precisely why we go to these kinds of movies, to have fun! The first installment still has the early bugs in the system, but nothing that can't be fixed for a sequel or three.
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