Deadpool★★★★★
Funny and vulgar
Rated R for a reason
Finally done right
A former Special Forces operative turned mercenary is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopting the alter ego Deadpool.
WARNING: Possible spoilers ahead.
I'm not super familiar with Deadpool canon, but I know this: the character is equally hilarious as he is crass, and he often breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to readers/viewers. He's a loose cannon, and doesn't really fit the traditional superhero mold; he has his own (often violent) way of doing things and a personal code of what's right and wrong. Because of these characteristics, I feel like it was a leap of faith to give the "merc with a mouth" his own movie. But boy, am I glad the powers that be took that chance.
Ryan Reynolds has spoken for more than a decade about his dream of bringing Deadpool to the big screen. And we got a glimpse of what could be in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, where Reynolds played a snarky Wade Wilson pre-Deadpool, but was turned into something decidedly un-Deadpool by the end of the film. I can totally understand the hesitance of mixing Deadpool in with already established superhero movies, which are rated PG-13 and billed as family-friendly action movies, considering his character. But the fact that this movie made more than $50 million in its opening weekend proves that there's a market for this sort of thing.
Knowing about his dream aside, I've long believed that if anyone could pull off Deadpool, it was Reynolds. He has excellent comedic chops, and the skills and physique necessary for action roles. (But I'd be lying if I said the passion he has for the character wasn't a big selling point.) And pull it off he did. He is so good in the role. The supporting cast is all excellent as well, particularly Morena Baccarin, as (yet another) prostitute with a quick wit and a good heart, and Ed Skrein, who's got that sexy Brit thing working in his favor, even when he's being pure evil.
The jokes and references in Deadpool are spot-on. I'm positive I didn't get every single one, but I laughed for much of the film. And although you might think that this movie is nothing but poop jokes, sexy times—of which there is a montage, hilariously—and fight scenes, there are a surprising amount of truly heartfelt moments.
Side note: If you weren't aware, Deadpool is part of the X-Men universe. I was a little bummed to only get two X-Men in the film, one of which has THE WORST name, but understand why they kept the tie-in to a minimum. (And loved the joke about it.)
If you haven't seen this movie, you should. But please, don't take your kids. It's really, really not that kind of superhero flick.
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