Deadpool (English) Review {3.5/5} & Review Rating
Over the past few years we have seen a rise in the number of superhero films. But this Friday promises to be a little different with the release of the much talked about and highly anticipated anti- superhero flick DEADPOOL. Going into the film, I had my apprehensions about the casting with Ryan Reynolds playing Deadpool, more so after unfortunately having to watch him in a green CGI suit in GREEN LANTERN. Another concern that I faced was the fact that while normal superhero films are pretty much run of the mill with good vanquishing evil and mutant/ superhero standing tall taking the moral high ground of being better than the rest, Deadpool is the quintessential anti-hero who cares two hoots about others, focusing on his own agenda albeit with a weird sense of humour. So the big question was, will Ryan Reynolds make Deadpool seem like another Green Lantern or will he manage to pull off the loved yet hated comic character? Let's analyze.
The film starts off with Reynolds' character Deadpool sitting in the back seat of a cab, driven by an Indian named Bhupinder, played by Karan Soni with the iconic Bollywood number 'Mera Joota hai Japani' from the film Shree 420 playing in the background. Although a rather disjointed start the film then picks up with Deadpool taking the viewer down memory lane with his flashbacks at crucial moments filling up the gap that seemed ominous about his past being unknown. What's interesting here is that while Reynolds' character Wade Winston Wilson (his original self-prior to undergoing treatment for cancer) is just another person, his alter ego Deadpool is able to break through the proverbial 'Fourth Wall'. In lay man's terms, while Wade doesn't realize that he is just an actor in a film, Deadpool does and is able to communicate to the audience directly. Thanks to this ability, Deadpool speaks directly to the viewers as though he is one of them.
Enter the flashback mode with the guy in the red suit briefing the viewer about the film's back story where Reynolds plays a skilled ex-special forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who falls head over heels in lust with Morena Baccarin who plays his hot girlfriend, Vanessa. However, their dream of living an idyllic sex filled life is shattered when they discovering that Wilson has cancer of the brain, lungs and prostrate (as though one wasn't enough). Forced into an unavoidable situation, Wade signs up to a rogue experiment that subjects him to accelerated testing (read torture treatment) that eventually bring out his healing powers. The lab is run by Francis/Ajax (Ed Skrein) who himself is a bit of a mutant, whose brutal experiments turn Wade into an ugly, indestructible and at times obnoxious pain in the ass Deadpool. However, with his good looks ruined due to the experimentation, Wade is bent on revenge. Things come to a head after Ajax kidnaps Vanessa. Meanwhile, Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) from the X-Men, try their best to convince Deadpool to join their team and become one of the good guys.
Coming to the performances, after watching Reynolds in and as GREEN LANTERN, the viewer's first thought was, why him! However, Reynolds surprises us as Deadpool with a spot on performance that quite literally more than makes up for his earlier misgivings as characters like Green Lantern, Hannible Cane (BLADE: TRINITY) and Nick Walker (RIPD). In fact the actor himself had stated that Deadpool will be the last comic book character he will ever portray though he is open to Deadpool sequels and/or cameos, a choice we approve. Morena Baccarin as Deadpool/ Wade Wilson's girlfriend Vanessa takes being the 'hot ass girlfriend' to the next level with her more than raunchy, scintillating act. Unfortunately, Ed Skrein as Ajax/ Francis Freeman does not impress, much like his character in TRANSPORTER REFUELED leaves a lot to be desired. For an arch nemesis to Deadpool, Ajax who himself is a mutant with super human strength and the ability to not feel pain is rather dry. Stefan Kapicic as Colossus and Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead are limited to roles that play supporting characters coming across as more to set the premise to include Deadpool in the next X-MEN series. Gina Carano as Angel Dust, the mutant with insane strength, is pretty much there to kick Colossus' butt. However, she too fades away, with the film focusing totally on Deadpool.
As for the technical, the film keeps pace with intense action, unending rambling, flashback modes and witty dialogues. However, here too it does seem weak when it comes to the villains. Though the original comic book writers/creators Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld along with the screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick inject an uncanny brand of humor into DEADPOOL, applause goes to Tim Miller for his full length film directorial debut.
On the whole, DEADPOOL is one part origin story, one part love story and whole lot of ass kicking action with brilliant, sharp, witty cuss filled humor of gore and theatricality with spot on yet subtle references to pop culture which is unmatched in this genre. A definite must watch for all superhero fans.
