Movie Review: Deadpool

As a lifelong comic book enthusiast and someone who has been following the development of Deadpool since his introduction in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, I can confidently say that Ryan Reynolds was absolutely perfect for this role. The film is a hilarious, irreverent, ultra-violent rollercoaster ride that seamlessly blends action, adventure, comedy, and sci-fi elements into one explosive package.


In this darkly humorous, disrespectful, and extremely violent superhero origin tale, Reynolds fits the role flawlessly.

Deadpool, often referred to as “the talking mercenary,” is an unusual Marvel comic book character who made an appearance in the movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Many actors have portrayed superheroes, but it was clear that Ryan Reynolds was the perfect fit for the morally questionable, excessive, and childish Deadpool. This film marks the origin story of this character, combining action, adventure, comedy, and sci-fi elements in a way that blends styles reminiscent of Kick-Ass, Spider-Man, Watchmen, and Darkman.

Wade Wilson, once a special operative now turned mercenary, transitions into a figure who tackles unsavory characters. Following an extraordinary medical treatment, his body adapts… granting him remarkable regenerative abilities and inadvertently marking the physician responsible for his immortality as a target. Additionally, he forms bonds with a girl, a visually impaired woman, and a bartender.

In a daring debut for director Tim Miller, the film introduces an unconventional, humorous, yet vulgar anti-hero named Deadpool. Known for his disregard for rules and penchant for humor that often borders on juvenile, this superhero is anything but traditional. He frequently addresses the audience directly, a trait carried over from his comic book series. The language is explicit, the action is intensely violent, and Deadpool’s crude, tongue-in-cheek humor takes center stage in this unconventional superhero movie.

1. The humor comes rapidly and without limits as the character moves freely through time, showing us a comparison of before and after events. He lives in a self-indulgent state because his extraordinary healing abilities make him almost invincible, existing within a realm free from consequences. An accidental scientific experiment bestowed upon him superpowers, but it also amplified his unconventional nature.

The antihero film is reminiscent of Kick-Ass in the way Deadpool takes his own brand of vigilantism to the streets with very little remorse and a penchant for Mortal Kombat style ultra-violence. His self-made spandex, mutant superpower and transition from normal guy to superhero mimic Spider-Man with a similar romantic distraction and disdain for the man who created him. The revenge story is soaked in Sam Raimi’s Darkman with our antihero prowling around and possessing a similar affliction, while the gritty, irreverent and diabolical tone has an affinity with Watchmen.

“Seriously… a Russian Ninja? I’m Deadpool, damnit.”

In a skillful manner, Ryan Reynolds masterfully keeps the movie’s components cohesive. His endearing character serves as an effective salesman for his enigmatic dark actions, portraying him as a complex figure who is both a social provocateur, assassin, and sexual enigma. He shares the screen with Ed Skrein as the antagonist, Ajax, the CGI-created X-Men character Colossus (voiced by Stefan Kapicic), and T.J. Miller as his confidant, Weasel. The movie might have benefited from a more menacing villain, but its fast pace keeps you engaged and preoccupied.

The origins story has been done to the point of pig vomit, but by doing and saying what many superheroes wish they could do and say, the writers manage to keep it filthy but fresh. The interlaced superhero references will have many fanboys laughing their heads off until blood starts spewing out of their necks… did I mention it’s gory?

In a playful manner, Deadpool stands out by frequently addressing the audience and offering a hefty dose of immature humor without much regard for human safety. This film shares a similar vibe with Kingsman: The Secret Service, being both wickedly amusing. However, its recurring inappropriate humor might seem tame certain aspects, but it’s the kind of movie that could potentially inspire references by violent individuals in a murder investigation, much like Natural Born Killers.

As a parent who grew up watching television shows and movies filled with violent content, I can’t help but feel a sense of unease when I see characters like our antihero being portrayed as entertaining figures. Having raised my own children in an era where such depictions are more common than ever, I find it disheartening to witness the degradation of moral values that these shows seem to promote.

Deadpool isn’t suitable for all viewers. Instead, it leans heavily towards adult content, with themes of depravity, strong language, and intense violence cloaked as entertainment. It might serve as a catharsis rather than fueling the darker tendencies hidden within the mind. If you can handle the chaos of Kick-Ass and have a high tolerance for Hellish imagery, then Deadpool is an experience you’ll survive, but it may be prudent to avoid if your life already has enough turmoil without needing more from the screen.

The bottom line: Subversive

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2024-08-16 11:43