Review: ‘Deadpool’: the superhero movie we deserved and the one we needed too

Posted on February 19, 2016

BY MARK VIOLA

Let’s face it, there are a lot of superhero movies out there. So much so that even avid fans might be feeling a bit of an overload. I’m not, but I couldn’t really argue with people who are. Regardless of which side of that particular fence you find yourself on, however, I think we can all agree something new and fresh was in store.

Enter “Deadpool,” the R-rated comedy extravaganza featuring Ryan Reynolds (“Woman in Gold”) as the Merc with a Mouth himself, Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool. The comic book character has always been known for his wise-cracking antics, gory violence and a propensity to break the fourth wall and talk directly to the audience. The film version has all of that and more.

Anticipation for this movie has been building even before it was officially greenlit, when test footage leaked online giving fans a glimpse of the direction Reynolds and first-time director Tim Miller wanted to take the character. Then the first trailer arrived last year at Comic-Con and what followed was one of the most inventive and creative marketing campaigns I can remember for a movie.

With all of this anticipation and build up, however, the expectations for the film itself to live up to the hype grew even bigger. Fortunately, “Deadpool” is the movie we’ve been waiting for. In fact, to paraphrase another successful comic book adaptation, this is the superhero movie we deserved and the superhero movie we needed.

Now, before I go any further, I really need to say this is not a superhero movie to take your kids. I’m not a parent and I don’t know your kids, but come on people. It’s got graphic violence, graphic language and graphic nudity. Do the math. If you really want to take them, go see it yourself first. Then decide.

As for the “Deadpool” itself, it is a really, really fun time. I’m still having a hard time truly believing it exists at all, let alone produced by Fox no less, the studio which gave us the horrendous Fantastic Four.

The film is rated R for strong violence and language throughout, sexual content and graphic nudity.

(This is a abbreviated version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

 

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