Review - Deadpool (2016)

     Hey guys, Chuck here. Well, for today's review, I'm going to be taking a look at a film that brought Marvel Comics' wise-cracking, fourth-wall-breaking, merc with the mouth to the silver screen. I am, of course, talking about Deadpool. Back in the 90's, when it was all about extreme, comic book characters that thrived in the extreme were being introduced. Spawn was introduced, Venom got his own solo comics, and Marvel introduced a character that was absolutely extreme, and had ties with the X-Men. Deadpool was created by Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld, and gained popularity through comics, a video game starring Nolan North as the title character, and an attempt at a live action version of the character, played by Ryan Reynolds, was featured in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine. However, the less said about that version of the character, the better. In 2016, fans got their wish when 20th Century Fox released a faithful adaptation of Deadpool, with Ryan Reynolds in the title role. So, let's dive into Deadpool.

    After a hysterical set of opening titles (almost akin to the joke names used in the "starring" segment of Screen Junkies' Honest Trailers), we see Wade Wilson aka Deadpool getting ready to fight a bunch of thugs, and the results are both gruesome and hilarious with Deadpool's wise-cracks and meta humor. The next majority of the movie is told in flashbacks, where we meet Wade properly, who is a mercenary for hire, who frequents a bar owned by his friend Weasel, played by TJ Miller, and meets the love of his life Vanessa, played by Morena Baccarin. After being together for a year, Wade proposes to Vanessa, and she happily accepts. However, Wade is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and goes to great lengths to find a cure. It is here that he meets the Man in Black, who is played by Jed Rees aka Teb from Galaxy Quest. The Man in Black offers Wade a way to fix his cancer and give him supernatural abilities, and Wade accepts the man's offer. Wow, you could have worded that better. Wait a minute. Deadpool? What are you doing here? I always show up for reviews of my movies. Anyway, when are you getting to the part where I meet Francis? I'm getting to it, dude. In fact, I'm getting to it right now. 

    Anyway, we meet the Man in Black's boss, Francis Freeman aka Ajax, played by Ed Skrein, and his main henchwoman Angel Dust, played by Gina Carano. Francis and Angel Dust torture Wade to trigger a mutation, which eventually does happen. Wade's mutation is a healing ability, which while keeping him from dying of cancer, does have the unfortunate side effect of making him look extremely fugly. Gasp! How dare you call me fugly! Oh, shut up Deadpool! You know what I meant. Where was I? Oh, right. So, after Wade's mutation kicks in, he makes an escape plan that involves burning the facility to the ground. Francis and Angel Dust escape, and Wade makes a plan to make them fix his face so he can reunite with Vanessa. Taking the name Deadpool, Wade kills all of Francis' cronies, and he finally tracks down Francis, leading us to the freeway scene at the beginning. During his fight with Francis, Deadpool is interrupted by Colossus of the X-Men, along with trainee Negasonic Teenage Warhead, played by Brianna Hildebrand. Colossus tries to, once again, get Deadpool to put his skills to better use as a member of the X-Men. But, Deadpool makes his escape and heads to his new home with a woman named Blind Al. After making a new plan, and learning that Francis has kidnapped Vanessa, Deadpool recruits Colossus and Negasonic to help get her back. A final battle ensues. Deadpool, Colossus, and Negasonic, after leaving some weapons in a cab driven by Dopinder, played by Karan Soni, fight off Angel Dust, as well as some paramilitary toadies, including Bob (who, due to legal reasons, is NOT an agent of Hydra the way he is in the comics), who Wade remembers from his past. Oh, that's right. My old buddy Bob. I forgot that he was called "Hydra Bob" in the comics. Man, I hate that we couldn't acknowledge that part during the movie. Freaking Disney. Uh, you do realize that Disney completely owns you now, right? Oh, crap. I forgot about that. Carry on. Uh, okay. Anyway, Angel Dust is defeated, Francis is killed, Colossus and Negasonic return to the X-Mansion, and Wade and Vanessa reconcile, regardless of the hideousness of Wade's face. A post-credits scene, set in the hallway from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, hinting that Cable will appear in the sequel, and we'll get to that when we review Deadpool 2. 

    Okay, so Deadpool is one of the most hysterical, entertaining comic book films of the X-Men franchise. Director Tim Miller made a really entertaining movie with an enjoyable, violent, and meta character that has been a fan favorite for a long time. Zombieland scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick clearly understand the character of Deadpool, and it really shows in the story. Ryan Reynolds is so perfect as Deadpool, and he was clearly born to play this character. The rest of the cast, including Morena Baccarin, TJ Miller, Brianna Hildebrand, Gina Carano, and Ed Skrein, all do a terrific job with their characters. Heck, for a long time, when people think of these characters, chances are that the versions featured in this movie will be the versions fans will think of. The fourth wall breaking humor is funny, and very true to the character. All in all-- Wait a minute. Are you serious right now? I, Deadpool, have to say that MY movie is nothing short of perfection. Ryan Reynolds is great, and the way he brought me to life on screen was terrific. And you, sir, are seriously not praising this movie enough. This movie clearly deserves a rating of 5/5. Just for Ryan and the two screenwriters. Tim Miller, sorry but the dude dropped the ball big time with Terminator: Dark Fate. Okay, I'm out of here. See you on Sunday when you review Deadpool 2. Uh, okay. Well, you heard Deadpool. The movie Deadpool gets a rating of 5/5. Definitely a must-watch. However, it's definitely not for everyone. This is Chuck signing off. On behalf of myself and Deadpool, See you guys next time.