Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you buy the DVD? Eh… not unless there are at least 50 min worth of bonus scenes.
Score: 4.1/5
Secret ending: Of course!
Running time: 108 minutes (~1.75 hours)
“Deadpool” is a superhero movie about the eponymous character, and the eighth instalment in the “X-Men” franchise (even if Deadpool categorically states that he won’t join the X-Men). It revolves around Deadpool, a mercenary who gains fast healing abilities, as he embarks on a haphazard quest of revenge and love. It stars Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool/Wade Wilson), Morena Baccarin (Vanessa Carlysle), Ed Skrein (Ajax/Francis Freeman), T. J. Miller (Weasel), Gina Carano (Angel Dust), Brianna Hildebrand (Negasonic Teenage Warhead), Stefan Kapicic (voice of Colossus/Peter Rasputin), and Leslie Uggams (Blinda Al). It is rated M18.
To set your expectations right about “Deadpool,” there are scenes in the trailer that don’t appear in the film. Well, more like specific jokes, actually. But even with those portions omitted (and honestly, it’s a good idea, since the jokes will have worn thin by then), there are still plenty of laughs to go around. It’s a pity that the film is M18, since it would have been fun to introduce Deadpool to a new generation of children.
Highlights
Engaging introduction
The opening starts in media res and is pretty enjoyable (contrary to the usual slow and boring openings that heap credit after credit at you without having anything actually happen) since it rewards moviegoers who actually come early. It also tosses flashbacks in, until the flashback storyline catches up with main plotline. Bottom line is: the introduction is just as worth watching as the post-credit scenes are.
Dark humour
Even though it’s billed as action and adventure, it’s also mostly black comedy. It takes familiar, everyday pain points and turns them into relatable jokes for the audience. There’s also the requisite sex and violence, but even these elements are portrayed comically, rather than being laudable vices. By taking the less politically correct approach, it generates more incisive jokes that’ll make you laugh on multiple levels.
Gritty without being tiresome
Yes, there’s blood and pain and mortal wounds that no human should be able to withstand. Yet it’s done for plot purposes, rather than to show how much blood you can get away with. It feels organic and relevant, with none of that pretentious realism that everyone seems to love these days. And best of all, it’s funny gritty.
Snappy pop culture jibes and self-referential humour
“Deadpool” is completely aware of its standing within the “X-Men” franchise, using this fact to poke fun at itself repeatedly. Without a gigantic budget to fall back on ($58 million, compared to “The Wolverine” which had $120 million), it relies heavily on pop culture jokes that you don’t have to be a comic fan to understand. There’s even pop culture references to pop culture references in the film!
Letdowns
Drama and comedy doesn’t mix well
Unfortunately, the light-hearted tone doesn’t work well with the dramatic beats of the movie, especially when things take a turn for the worse or when the mood suddenly becomes serious. It makes for an awkward transition, especially since the film sets you up to expect irreverent mocking at everything that occurs. It’s a necessary element for the story to continue, but it could have been given a smoother treatment.
In a surprising turn of events, “Deadpool” actually lives up to its hype, and gives us a superhero movie that anybody (that is 18 and older) can watch.
“Deadpool” opens in cinemas 11 February, 2016 (Thursday).
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