Deadpool Film Review.

By Adam Ray Palmer
 
Today’s review arrives from the Marvel universe. Marvel have dominated cinemas for the past five years or so and today I review another big budget product from their roster.
 
Deadpool was released just over a week ago and it has already broken many records. Firstly, there's been the opening weekend box office records and secondly, it’s Ryan Reynolds record third attempt at being a superhero after his failed Deadpool attempt in Wolverine: Origins and his lacklustre Green Lantern.
 
Now in his hatrick appearance as a superhero, is it third time’s a charm?

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Deadpool is centred on an arrogant former Special Forces operative turned mercenary who is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopting the alter ego of, well, kind of a superhero.
 
To say ‘superhero’ feels quite strange, he isn’t really a good guy. Like Wade Wilson (Deadpool) states in the movie, “He’s a bad guy that just hurts even worse guys” – so take that as you will. As this is Ryan Reynolds third attempt at a successful ‘superhero’ movie, it is kind of a make or break situation. Luckily for Reynolds, he nails it.
 
Deadpool is a ball from start to finish. The standard superhero narrative is layered with extreme Kick Ass-type violence, stupid jokes and lots of sarcasm. It’s a whirlwind of a movie that is entertaining right from the off with hilarious credits that read ‘a hot chick’ and ‘a British villain’ in starring roles. The director, Tim Miller, completely wins with his funny take on superhero films by not taking Deadpool too seriously.
 
Miller let’s Ryan Reynolds run free with Deadpool as he's allowed to let go of any preconceived notions of a genuine superhero. Reynolds main strength here is though his comedic timing and witty lines. If you have witnessed Ryan in real life, whether it be in interviews or on social media, you’ll notice he is a pretty funny person. That personality completely transpires onto the screen in Deadpool and it makes the whole film more entertaining. It looked like it was a hoot to film.
 
Along with Reynolds, the key attributes that make this film shine is the writing and directing. Both departments are really on-point. Deadpool’s self-healing is an incredible superpower but his motor mouth is the better power. Some of the lines he delivers are exquisite, even if they are immature at times. The ‘tense’ scenes where you expect amusing one-liners are great, but the witty dialogue between characters in passing is when the comedy really comes to life. Deadpool’s broken wrists scene is as funny as it is childish - but ultimately, memorable.
 
It took so long for this movie to get made because Marvel didn’t realise just how good this film could be. If Deadpool breaks records worldwide; Tim and Ryan can have the last laugh. There has even been talk of a $150 million sequel already, and this all comes from some leaked test footage from years ago.
 
Lest we forget, without Reynolds helming the project with his humour and allowing the writing to poke fun at him, I don’t think it would have worked. The idea that Ryan had already failed twice in the superhero business only strengthens Deadpool’s marketing. It’s like the film is trying to be bad, which makes it so damn good.
 
Cineroom’s Rating: 4 Stars
 
Deadpool is currently being shown worldwide in selected cinemas – certificate 15.