Director Tim Miller
Genre Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi
Cast Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Gina Carano, T.J. Miller
Rating R
Release Date February 12th, 2016
“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.”
As I waited patiently in my very comfortable movie theater seat staring at a gigantic IMAX screen just before the opening sequence of Deadpool, I crossed my fingers hoping my high expectations would be met. And well, they were. And then some. What is resonating most with me sitting here writing this review fresh from the theater in my pajama pants no less, is just how damn fun the movie was. Deadpool is an hour and 45 minutes of vulgar, unapologetic, action-packed, anti-superhero fun and boy was it worth the price of admission. I laughed more times than I can count and shook my head in sheer disbelief during the majority of the film.
First off, you do not need to be a fan of superhero movies or comic books to enjoy this film. What you do need is an open mind and a good sense of humor. I am telling you this in confidence so please don’t crucify me but I know very little about comics, and by very little I mean nothing whatsoever, aside from what I’ve picked up from episodes of Big Bang Theory. I have no issue with comics and the only explanation I can think of for why they were left out of my childhood is the likely fact that I simply didn’t have the space for them under my bed. Too many Playboy magazines I suppose. Troubled youth, what can I say. Deadpool made me wish I knew a bit more about comics because I felt like I missed some of the “inside jokes” that everyone else in the theater seemed to get (damn you Pamela Anderson).
I think it is safe to say that right about now Ryan Reynolds is essentially Baby Jesus for comic book fanboys the world over. This is of course assuming you believe in the man upstairs and if not, perhaps a unicorn made out of Skittles would be a better analogy? Reynolds is cocky, full of personality, funny, and admittedly a physical specimen when the role calls for it. Bottom line is he was made to play Deadpool and he absolutely crushed it. I knew coming in that Ryan Reynolds was an amazing actor and he was already one of my favorites. I mean the guy is incredibly versatile and his ability to shift from a romantic comedy to a role such as this is impressive. Try to envision a combination of Ryan Reynolds in the film Waiting… and Van Wilder (both classic films) only 10 times more ridiculous and superhuman to top it all off. Too good to be true? I thought so too, but Ryan Reynolds is Wade Wilson, Wade Wilson is Deadpool, and well that is great news for everyone.
I have enjoyed pretty much all of the superhero films, Iron Man, Captain America, Ant-Man, The Avengers etc, but Deadpool steps outside the box and it made for one heck of an entertaining movie. I mean this was the most fun I have had at the theater in a while and it actually makes me want to read the comics (I probably won’t but that still counts for something). It comes as no surprise to me that a sequel was already announced and it can’t come soon enough!
