All great love stories begin the same way: boy meets girl, they bond emotionally, and boy is subjected to dangerous medical experiments. Okay, not all love stories begin that way, but this one does.
Deadpool is a 2016 action-comedy film based on the titular Marvel character. Detailing his origin story, the audience is introduced to Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) in the months leading up to his transformation. We see him work, fall in love, propose, and develop terminal cancer. Desperate for a cure, Wade volunteers for a program designed to create mutants; the catch is he’ll be subjected to extreme pain. Run by the dastardly Ajax (aka Francis, Ed Skrein), the program gives Wade Logan-level healing, but disfigures his skin. Angered and driven by unyielding desire, Wade is out to kill Francis, and find a cure for his disfigurement.
This was a film I dreaded re-watching. While I enjoyed it in theaters, as time progressed I feared subsequent viewings would temper my enjoyment and kill the film. While not that extreme, I didn’t laugh as much this time around. Some jokes drew simple chuckles, while others a head-tilt. That said, there are several moments where the humor works perfectly, and I genuinely laughed; Wade’s bridge fight with Colossus and the Minion offing montage are great examples.
The action scenes were executed competently, and at times complement the comedy. Other than a handful of rubbery moments the special effects look great, especially Colossus. While I still prefer the use of practical suits when possible, his superb rendering receives my stamp of approval. What makes this feat more impressive is that Deadpool was produced for approximately $58 million, which is tiny compared to other comic book films; most Marvel Cinematic Universe films cost over $150 million.
Like with the X-men films, the acting is decent all around. Ed Skrein is fine as Francis; he doesn’t stand-out when compared to other comic book film villains, but he serves the film's purpose. He’s evil enough without being overblown or underdone. Morena Baccarin works well in her scenes, and she has an interesting chemistry with Reynolds; makes their characters relationship stand-out. TJ Miller is ok as Wade’s friend Weasel, serving as the subdued half of the friendship. While not a deep performance, Brianna Hildebrand is perfect as Negasonic, striking the correct balance of teenage smug and joy; she also has a decent back-and-forth with Reynolds.
Speaking of which, Ryan Reynolds gives the films best performance. His passion for the character and film are evident every second he’s on screen. While not the best actor—a fact the film pokes fun at—Reynolds has great comedic timing and his vocal inflections were spot on, especially once he’s put on the mask. He also has great chemistry with his co-stars, to varying degrees. While another actor could have played Wade, the film wouldn’t have been the same; heck, it might not have even been made if it weren’t for Reynolds passion and connection with the fans. For that, he deserves a 21-chimichanga salute.
Tom Holkenborg’s score was decent. No pieces instantly pop into my head, but they served the scenes. What dazzled me auditorily was the use of popular music. While not worked in as perfectly as Starlord’s mixed tape, the songs serve the film well, although the only tune that jumps into my head is “Careless Whisper.” Thank you Seether for the cover.
While its luster has somewhat faded, Deadpool is still an entertaining film, carried by a lead whose heart is in the project. While the sequel was better overall, it was a decent first step forward; once two hits home video I see a double feature in my future. 3.5 out of 5 chimichangas.
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