Deadpool: Movie Review

Love him or hate him, he's loads of fun

 Deadpool is a 2016 superhero film directed by Tim Miller and starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, and Ed Skrein. It is the 8th installment in the X-Men film series. 

Wade Wilson (Reynolds) is a former special forces operative who meets and falls in love with a woman named Vanessa (Baccarin). Wilson is later diagnosed with terminal cancer and leaves Vanessa. A mysterious man from a covert organization approaches Wilson with the promise of a cure. Wilson agrees, but soon finds himself being subjected to torture and a mutation that grants him accelerated healing powers. His body becomes incredibly disfigured, though Wilson survives. Wilson then sets out to find the man (Skrein) who gave him the mutation and nearly destroyed his life. 

Deadpool is one of the most unique films within a genre that has dominated the movie industry for the past 10-15 years. Whether its Batman, Superman, the other X-Men, or any of the Marvel Cinematic Universe superheroes, superhero films typically use the following formula: 

- Background of X superhero (or X superhero's birth) 
- Childhood or early life of X superhero 
- X superhero discovers powers and learns how to use them 
- X superhero establishes their identity as a superhero 
- X superhero meets villain 
- After some struggles and fighting, X superhero defeats villain and everyone lives happily ever after 

Not Deadpool. Wade Wilson refuses to obey the superhero system that still finds a way to work (for the most part) today. Wilson, instead, satirizes the formula described above with his frequent 4th-wall breaks and uncharacteristic approach to vanquishing the villain(s). 

High Points: 

- The humor. Deadpool is full of humorous and clever remarks, some of which poke fun at other superheroes and events in superhero films that you've come to expect. During a mid-credits scene, Deadpool comes out wearing a bathrobe, walks toward the camera, and says to the audience, "You're still here? The movie's over. Go home! Oh wait, you're here to see a possible teaser for Deadpool 2! What'd you expect, Samuel L. Jackson with an eye-patch?" When Wilson is about to acquire his healing powers, he begs for his supersuit to not be green or animated (a cheeky remark towards Ryan Reynold's portrayal of The Green Lantern). Deadpool does not rely on stale comedy consisting of cheap puns or crude toilet jokes. The one liners and remarks are well-timed, and sometimes unexpected ("Did I leave the stove on?" while fighting a bunch of baddies). 

- Ryan Reynolds. I have watched several commercials advertising Deadpool, as well as some interviews with Reynolds discussing the film. Given the failure of previous superhero films in which he appeared in (X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Green Lantern), Reynolds seemed determined to make Deadpool count. I am convinced that Reynolds fully immersed himself into the character of Deadpool through his body language and rebellious attitude towards cliched superheroes. It is obvious that Reynolds thoroughly enjoyed his Deadpool experience, and could find himself being typecasted. The question should now be is Ryan Reynolds portraying Deadpool, or is Deadpool portraying Ryan Reynolds?

 Low Points: 

- The relentlessness of the humor. Okay, I could've just said the humor is both a high and low point. While the humor should certainly be a subject of praise, there are times when the jokes and snide remarks get out of hand. A periodic critique I have with primarily the MCU superhero films is the humor being stretched too far, almost to the point where you begin to wonder if the characters are really taking their situation seriously. Because of the nature of Deadpool's character, I was more tolerant towards the increased amount of humor. Unfortunately, this very problem still lingered, as Reynolds, at times, refused to let up. Just when you think he could not tell one more joke, Reynolds keeps coming up with new material. Annoyance is what this low point brings more than anything. 


Many superhero films follow a similar formula, but Deadpool gleefully dodges cliches and stereotypes, largely in part to its satire on the superhero genre and constant 4th wall shattering. The result is one of the more unique superhero films to be released within the past 10-15 years. The humor, while out of hand at times, is the gravy on top of the juicy meat. Deadpool says, "Wait til you get a load of me." Deadpool is a load alright; a load of fresh fun, as well as a new, welcome sight to the current day superhero world. 

Recommend? Yes, but don't see it with kids! 

Grade: A-