Score: B+
Director: Tim Miller
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano
Running Time: 108 Minutes
Rated: R
“You may be wondering why the red suit. Well, that’s so bad guys don’t see me bleed.”
In a world filled with soft, and at times green super hero adaptations, Tim Miller’s Deadpool sets itself apart quickly. Through a clever, tongue-in-cheek opening credit sequence that substitutes names with generic descriptions, the film establishes early on that it knows no limits and couldn’t care less regarding its status within the all mighty superhero universe.
Quick witted and cruel to the core, Deadpool isn’t your usual superhero, and parents should be well aware that this one isn’t for the youngsters. In fact, it is made for the comic book readers of the 80s as Ryan Reynolds’ antihero revels in the act of murder, seeking out vengeance on the men who cause him a visual deformity while attempting to treat the terminal cancer that is set to end his life.
His no holds bar take offers a fresh look at the quickly tiring youthful approach as Deadpool is given a foul mouth, a fascination with death and an incredible sex drive. The film’s humor is quick and dark, keeping the audience on their toes as you begin to realize that you aren’t entirely sure what is set to happen next. Rather than play things safe, our main protagonist cheats fate, challenging the devil as he steps in front of bullets and sacrifices his own hand - all in the name of survival! And this, believe it or not, is all within the first fifteen minutes.
The film takes a unique pathway to telling Deadpool’s story. Beginning with a taxi ride that results in a string of impressive visual shots, our main protagonist breaks the fourth wall repeatedly as he takes us back to the beginning, filling us in on the details and allowing us to catch up with his story. The steady shuffle between past and present is handled well by Miller, who never dwells too long in either tense as he keeps the story light, fresh and most importantly, moving.
Could the film, which eventually wears on you as it, like most volatile guests, overstays its welcome, work without a stellar performance from Reynolds? Probably not. And much credit should be given to the Green Lantern actor. Poking fun at himself, Reynolds lays some “eggs” during the early moments in the film, pointing to his past failure as Hal Jordan. Fortunately for fans, the highly respected actor makes the most of his second chance, showcasing that not all comic book creations represent good.
As the film continues on and we catch up to the taxi ride that opened the film, you can’t help but appreciate the counter approach that Miller uses to tell a unique and fun-filled story. Granted he is still restrained by the original material, Miller uses devices that allows him to develop an adult film that utilizes the freedom that comes with a hard-R rating. In response he is able to breathe new life into a formula that has played its hand. Not to mention his careful construction of the film’s layered presentation, paying special attention to the visual effects and character development, giving Deadpool a strong, egotistical personality that is daunting and ruthless, taking absolutely no shit from anyone.
The ending, for all the buildup of the first ninety minutes, does disappoint. Though intense and graphic, the damsel-in-distress story model offers nothing new as the super villain’s fate is determined within ten minutes, leaving many wondering why a film so brutal and violent would hold back during the final confrontation. Miller appears too worried about setting up a “universe” to focus on offering his smug leading man a satisfying final chapter. And for a film that breaks the mold in so many ways, you can’t help but think that had Deadpool had control, the smug and pompous star would had done things a bit differently.
