Deadpool (2016)

Directed by Tim Miller

Written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin and T.J. Miller

     In the expanding cinematic universe of Marvel, comes the tale of your not so average "superhero." For those who have felt that recent superhero films have been predictable and anti-climatic, Deadpool is a breath of fresh air with its R rated satirical take on the not so average hero. A laugh-out-loud movie with over a hundred hidden references to other films (like the X-Men franchise), a snarky vengeful main character, and even a love story that may be hard to find at times. 

     The movie opens with the title character (played by Ryan Reynolds) taking a taxi to a fight. 'What superhero takes a taxi as means of transportation, can't they just run fast or fly' you may be asking. This is not your typical superhero movie as Deadpool narrates in the beginning as a disclosure. We soon find out that this anti-hero is driven by one force and one force only: find and kill Ajax (Ed Skrein), the "villain" responsible for giving Deadpool his immortality and making his face look like Freddy Kruger's uglier brother. This vengeance towards Ajax buds from the inhumane torture that he was subjected to at the hands of Ajax and his female henchman, Angel Dust (Gina Carano). He also blames Ajax for the partition he created between him and his estranged soulmate, Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). With the opposition of the X-Men, Deadpool faces some resistance from Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand). However, nothing will stop him from seeking out his homicidal revenge plot. 

     Deadpool is your classic anti-hero who isn't constrained by these unspoken rules of morality that we see most superheroes succumb to. He isn't afraid to get his hands dirty (or cut off in his case). Un-like most comic book heroes, Deadpool has no remorse for killing or torture although he does so with good reasons. Deadpool's wide success derives off the films off-beat style thanks to director Tim Miller and the screenwriters. Aside from the anti-hero tendencies and qualities of the main character, the film beats excellence with its constant "fourth-wall breaking." Deadpool is constantly aware that he is in a superhero movie, and is caught talking to the camera quite often, wether making direct references about the genre or warning us that "we might wanna look away" during a gory mutilation. 

     Deadpool owes most of its success to lead actor, Ryan Reynolds, who before this movie didn't have the greatest track record with movies adapted from comic books after the dismally received 2011 Green Lantern. However, Reynolds hit the nail on the head with this performance. He gives us this character stricken with revenge over his immortality and loss of love, however his sufficient humanity he brings to Deadpool makes us all hope everything goes well for him. Gotham's Morena Baccarin is aesthetically pleasing as the love interest of the main character while also giving a good performance. 

     This hugely entertaining Marvel flick will appeal even those who say they do not like superhero movies. Deadpool will undoubtedly be labeled as a superhero classic. 

I give Deadpool a...

7/10