Review
'Deadpool' reinvents superhero movies with crude yet hilarious humor
February 25, 2016
It has been some time since movie-goers have witnessed a reality breaking, wise-cracking anti-hero that everyone can love in theaters, and it suffices to say that Deadpool is that new character, serving up all the humor and violence he has been so well known for in Marvel comics.
And it’s any wonder as to how the merc with a mouth made it to the big screen. As years have gone by people and the superhero media that have taken in have become more aware of this character and his insane and chaotic adventures, but popularity has brought him into theaters and brought him into hearts like a bullet to the chest.
For those not in the know, Deadpool explains it all. Wade Wilson is a soldier for hire, doing the generally unfavorable jobs of the world, who falls in love with a woman who is just as messed up as he is. He is maddeningly in love, but is diagnosed with cancer that will kill him in a short period of time.
However, a very shady group of people toss him down a ladder, saying that if he submits to some experiments then he will not only be cured, but better than ever. And like a fool, Wilson agrees.
After being tortured and mutilated through experiments, Wilson gets free from his captors but is left scarred, and he wants revenge. Through his sharp skills, sharper blade, and his sharpest wit Wilson begins a bloody but insanely funny crusade to track down the people who screwed his life, becoming the walking, talking anarchy that is Deadpool.
My description covers everything, but the film does amazingly well combining the backstory and the current events that Deadpool undertakes in the film, never feeling overly long, boring, or even disjointed. It is all quite easy to follow.
What helps the plot move along is the way it is written. This is by far the best script that could be done to introduce Deadpool to the public. Every word that drips from his mask-covered mouth is comedy gold, from raunchy jokes to cultural references and to just plain violent acts.
While this type of humor may not be for everyone, it cannot be denied that it is done well. Whereas many other movies who attempt this type of raunchy humor, they tend to either go too far, drive a joke into the ground, or just tell it badly. But Deadpool is helped by several things.
All the jokes are done well and fit in with the foul mouthed protagonist, the world which they are placed in is like a playground of destruction already and can be bounced off the action, and none of it feels pushed to the levels of cartoony or gritty.
And this is all tied together by Ryan Reynolds as the titular character, who has since solidified himself now as the definitive live-action Deadpool. Almost as if to make up for his bad past roles in superhero films, he plays the role of Deadpool with such faith and enthusiasm that it is hard not to love him, even in spite of all the carnage he commits.
Tim Miller was the director, and major applause should be given to him considering this is his first major feature. His direction ties everything together, and makes it all look clean and well put together.
Even audiences seemed to treat Deadpool as a breath of fresh air. Mine was bursting with laughter all the way through, and I was glad to know it was well earned.
All in all, I would say film-going audiences are glad to finally have a character that can indulge them in their snarky, cynical, and satirical tendencies, not bending to the studios who want so badly to keep Marvel for everyone.
Deadpool is chock-full with jokes that prick and stab at the industry that brought it into existence, and it holds no punches at pointing out the obvious and that which we all know.
I am thankful to have Deadpool in our now long standing canon of superhero films, and I believe this is only the start of something bloody but beautiful. But mostly bloody.
Ryan Funes is a lover of all things movie, TV, video games and stories and wants to become a television writer someday. In his spare time he enjoys hanging with friends, tapping into his imagination, and watching cartoons of all kinds.