Deadpool





Directed By: Tim Miller

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T. J. Miller, Gina Carano, Brianna Hildebrand, and Stefan Kapicic

2016 is the year of the comic book movie.  The release schedule is all the proof you need.  Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.  Captain America: Civil War.  X-Men: Apocalypse.  Suicide Squad.  Gambit.  Doctor Strange.  This year is unlike any other in terms of the sheer number of Marvel and DC properties arriving on the big screen, and it may just be the new normal.  With cinematic universes popping up left and right and more and more comic book characters arriving at the box office, I'm sure we've all gotten used to the typical superhero movies — the origin stories, the alien invasions, and the necessary hero identity crises.  We all know the formulas.  Thankfully, however, the first comic book film arriving at the box office in 2016 writes a brand new formula and doesn't even acknowledge the fact that its central character is a superhero.  Thankfully, we have Deadpool.

Former mercenary Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) has lived a hard life, or so he thinks.  Using his particular set of skills to help the underprivileged and disadvantaged of his community, he does indeed live a rather bleak life.  Things suddenly become rosy like a cheesy commercial when he meets a woman by the name of Vanessa Carlyle (Morena Baccarin), his soon-to-be girlfriend. They share stories of their rough upbringings and dance to "Make It Big" from Wham!.  Things remain rosy with the lovebirds until they don't.  On the night that Wade proposes to Vanessa, he collapses.  A doctor's visit reveals that he is suffering from late stage cancer.  With his life coming to a premature conclusion, Wade turns that frown right back down.  Wade's best friend Weasel (T. J. Miller) passes along the information of a group looking to get his attention.  Soon thereafter, Deadpool is born, ready to kick some ass with the help of X-Men Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand).

With the failures of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Green Lantern looming large over Deadpool, I would be lying if I were tell you that I was excited to see Ryan Reynolds suit up as a hero one more time.  I'm telling you the truth, however, when I say that I left the theater excited for the future of a brand new franchise.  Operating in the same lane as Matthew Vaughn films like Kick-Ass and Kingsman: Secret Service, Deadpool breaks the mold of superhero movies by offering us something that's not family friendly and not for everyone.  From the outrageously funny opening credits to one of the best post-credits clips in years, Deadpool is irreverent to perfection.  Director Tim Miller carves out a world in the X-Men universe in which his characters will say what other superheroes won't say and do what other heroes won't do.  Full of bloody violence, dirty humor, and some inconceivable connection to the world of mutants, Deadpool kicks off 2016 in grand style for the comic book genre.

Ryan Reynolds is the heart, soul, and mouth of Deadpool.  It's really an odd turn of events.  Looking back to his supporting performance as Deadpool in the first Wolverine movie, Reynolds's mouth was arguably his greatest weakness.  This time around, Reynolds brings his charisma as this relentless jokester who just happens to have ultra-violent tendencies.  With his almost stream of consciousness humor, he gives us a kickass vigilante who’s not too dissimilar to the guy who wants to "make America great again".  Granted, a mutated, overcooked Deadpool has better looks than Trump.  Utterly hilarious, all Reynolds does is win here.  Channeling immense creativity and delivering anything but the normal superhero, he shines and redeems himself from past missteps in the genre.  Indeed, Reynolds makes it big as Deadpool.

The non-superhero movie boasts a robust supporting cast as well.  For her part as romantic interest Vanessa Carlyle, Morena Baccarin doesn't just give us the typical damsel in distress.  A bit rough around the edges, she plays well off Reynolds to contribute to the hilarity of their scenes together on screen.  An entertaining average Joe, T. J. Miller delivers plenty of laughs with his dry brand of humor.  He gives Reynolds a run for his money in the comedy department whenever he's on screen.  For their parts as Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Colossus respectively, Brianna Hildebrand and Stefan Kapicic also make for entertaining additions to the film.  They're the real superheroes of the movie and provide a moral compass for Reynolds at four or five key moments.  Finally, Ed Skrein and Gina Carano make for a pair of slippery yet badass villains who offer worthwhile antagonists but don't overshadow our star in his first outing.

Wham!  You didn't think Deadpool would be awesome, but it is indeed.  Don't worry.  I was wrong too.  Ryan Reynolds and the talented team behind the X-Men spinoff break the mold with this one.  Here's to hoping they do it again sometime down the line.  Deadpool gets a 0.03% rating.  Have some wine coolers with this one.