Deadpool (2016)

Director: Tim Miller
Story: Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein
Music: Tom Holkenborg
Time: 107 minutes
Bottom-line: Expected too much from it; disappointed

When Deadpool’s trailer was out, it became pretty much the only topic of discussion among my friends. However, thanks to its content, the film never reached Indian theatres the way it was supposed to – a considerable amount of violence and language were censored out, and it still ended up being an adult-only film, but at least it ran, unlike the equally controversial Fifty Shades of Grey, which never made it to India.

Reynolds as Wade/Deadpool

With great power... comes great irresponsibility.
Wade Wilson (Reynolds), a former Special Forces operative, falls in love with Venessa Carlysle (Baccarin), and after being together for a year, when he proposes and she accepts, Wilson is diagnosed with terminal cancer. A recruiter from a secret program approaches Wade and offers an experimental cure, to which he eventually agrees. Wade meets Ajax (Skrein), who injects him with a serum to awaken latent mutant genes. Despite his cancer being cured, Wade’s entire body is disfigured. He decides to take on the identity of a masked vigilante: Deadpool, and goes in search of Ajax, hoping to get his human form back. Joined by two other X-Men, Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, how Wade roots out his destroyer is what the film’s about.

Baccarin as Venessa 

At the outset it becomes obvious that the film is going to be like no other superhero film made before; after all, how many of them start with the credits saying: “...in association with Marvel entertainment... some Douchebag’s film... Starring God’s perfect Idiot...” But as the story progressed, nothing else seemed impressive, except Ryan Reynolds’ constant surprises. The story wasn’t great; it has the same foundation as Face/Off more or less, but it is categorised as a superhero film. What did amaze me were the action sequences (whatever wasn’t censored out I mean!) – Deadpool’s sword fights, shootouts, stunts and what not! The way he kills the bad guys at the bridge is as good a superhero entry as you’ll ever come across.

Skrein as Ajax, in a sword fight
with Deadpool

Once a superhero film becomes successful it is almost impossible to imagine the hero or villain being played by another actor... be it Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man or Christian Bale for Batman. Ryan Reynolds has finally found the role he was destined to play – Deadpool, and I doubt if anyone can play it better than he did. Though he wears the mask for most of his screen time, through his dialogues and one-liners he never stops entertaining. While he shocks you with his violent acts he also immediately makes you laugh! Deadpool is probably the funniest, most charismatic and captivating Marvel hero, judging by the way Reynolds plays the character. The supporting crew is barely noticeable, except for Ed Skrein, who plays a decent villain.

So while the trailer and general word of mouth gave me a lot to expect from the film, in the end it was Ryan Reynolds’ standout performance that took the cake... probably because it was the only thing worth responsible for the movie’s success. With his stunts, catch phrases and acting, he carries the film on his shoulders, for without his acting Deadpool wouldn’t have been half as well received. It’s a new type of superhero film, but is far from being the best.

My Rating: 3/5
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 83%