Deadpool – Film Review by Emily Elphinstone

Director: Tim Miller
Writers: Rob Liefeld (character), Fabian Nicieza (character)
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller

From the opening titles crediting ‘British Villain’, ‘Gratuitous Cameo’ and ‘Some Douchebag’; Deadpool wants to make it very clear that this is not a regular comic book movie. Rather than saving the world, Deadpool (who comes from the same universe as the X-Men) is more interested in revenge, and a wisecracking self awareness of his role in the super hero genre. Created by Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld, Deadpool was originally seen in comic books in 1991, and started life as a supervillain; but he developed into an anti-hero with his passion for breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience.

After the damp efforts of The Green Lantern, Ryan Reynolds is refreshingly funny in the title role, giving one of his best performances to date. He delivers the many ‘meta’ references and self-deprecating humour with excellent comic timing; and name-drops other films and actors in a genuinely entertaining way.

To set the tone, we first meet Deadpool in a taxi, on his way to get revenge on his nemesis and aforementioned British villain, Ajax (Ed Skrein). Pre-red suit, Deadpool was Wade Wilson; a former Special Forces operative turned sympathetic mercenary. Lured into an experiment run by Ajax, which hopes to bring out mutant capabilities through various unsavoury methods, he gains the ability to heal himself (handy when you need to chop off any limbs), but emerges so disfigured that the suit, and a thirst for revenge become inevitable.

With deliciously graphic fight scenes and a well paced script, Deadpool is certainly entertaining. However, the plotline boils down to a conventional super hero story (complete with damsel in distress, despite what the trailer may suggest); so the film sometimes struggles with the very thing it tries to satirise, and overcompensates in an attempt to look more edgy. This leads to one too many bawdy jokes, and superfluous moments which try too hard to shock, detracting from the overall film in an attempt to rebel against the franchise that created it.

Fortunately, these moments do not sour the overall effect; and with a brilliant soundtrack to set the tone (including a hilarious moment with ‘You’re the Inspiration’ and some animated unicorns), some truly memorable characters, and great special effects; it’s hard not to get swept up in the moment.