Not another super hero film. Sigh. Will it actually be a movie, or is it just an origin story in disguise to vainly try and set up a franchise? One again, sigh.
With the glut of comic book movies that stalk the halls and screens of your local theatre, it is easy to be hesitant about any new offerings that are (for lack of a better word and also lack of a handy thesaurus) offered up from within the genre. It is a realm that Disney and Marvel studios have owned since Iron Man came out and paved the way for the shared universe with his Avengers cohorts. It is also a realm that has seen some dry and dusty films from other studios attempting to create the same magic. The financial returns are not as big as they were in 2012 when Avengers first showed the true dollar value of super hero films.
Comic book movies are a dime a dozen right now, and its only going to get worse as studios have deluded themselves in believing that this trend will continue for at least the next four years. It is near impossible to stand out among the generic looking films, each trying to be bigger and more action packed than the next. But, sometimes there is hope. Sometimes a movie is brave enough to shun convention and be something different.
Take Guardians of the Galaxy as an example. It was a time when comic book movies needed to be grounded in real life and everything needed to be dark and serious. Along comes a movie that injects natural flowing humour along with vibrant colours and it does remarkably well. The unconventional was shown to be something that audiences would accept.
A year and a half later (and a lot of rambling on my part), and we have Deadpool. Not only does it try and be a bit different than the rest, but it goes full on down the rabbit hole by shunning the idea that all comic book movies need to be PG-13. A full on R rating is what we have here, and the movie plays with those extended boundaries allotted to it right off the bat. This is not the film to take your children to see. Also, it is not the film to see if you hate the idea of gratuitous violence and crude humour.
If, like me, you find those things acceptable in their proper context, then welcome to the comic book movie that was catered to you and me, my friend. The first thing you will notice about this film (and when I say 'first thing,' I mean right from the opening credits) is that it has a unique voice and tone to it. It knows that to survive in the land of comic book giants you need to be true to the character, and this film's entire flow is woven through the core ethos of Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds).
Debuting director Tim Miller shows a complete understanding that when you have a very unique character at your disposal, it helps to cater everything at your disposal to reflect that character. Wilson is a wise cracking and sarcastic person who breaks the fourth wall with the audience in numerous ways, and the film is styled off of that personality. I can think of numerous films that have tonal issues where stylized elements are implemented for the mere sake of using them, but here there is nothing out of place. It all works well with the anti-hero that is Deadpool.
The performance of Reynolds here is terrific. For those who bemoaned him getting the role based off of the shoddy movie that was Green Lantern, you need not worry. There were many issues with Green Lantern, and none of them had to do with Ryan Reynolds. He was in a role that didn't let him shine properly, which is something that he gets to do as Wade Wilson. His love interest in the film is played by Morena Baccarin, who gives a fiery and strong performance as Vanessa. Added to the mix is what would normally be considered the comedic relief (although in a film that has comedy layered throughout, it is just extra icing on a cake that makes it all the more delicious and fattening) with Wilson's friend Weasel, who is played by T.J. Miller in a very memorable performance.
If there is one qualm that I had with the film, and it is a minor one, it would be that perhaps the film was a little too self referential and fourth wall breaking. As with 22 Jump Street, it does well to add humour and freshness, but almost leans on the gag a little too often which softens the impact of it. Take that for what you will, but remember that it is only a mild issue that I had.
Overall it triumphs as a film that has a great sense of tone, awareness, and attention to pacing. It speeds along at a good clip, using its run time efficiently. It also never over plays the action elements, which allows them to keep from becoming too stale and loosing their impact. It shows us that there may be a new, hot director on the scene in Tim Miller, and it reminds us of what Ryan Reynolds is capable of in the right role.
Rating - 3 out of 4 stars
Debuting director Tim Miller shows a complete understanding that when you have a very unique character at your disposal, it helps to cater everything at your disposal to reflect that character. Wilson is a wise cracking and sarcastic person who breaks the fourth wall with the audience in numerous ways, and the film is styled off of that personality. I can think of numerous films that have tonal issues where stylized elements are implemented for the mere sake of using them, but here there is nothing out of place. It all works well with the anti-hero that is Deadpool.
The performance of Reynolds here is terrific. For those who bemoaned him getting the role based off of the shoddy movie that was Green Lantern, you need not worry. There were many issues with Green Lantern, and none of them had to do with Ryan Reynolds. He was in a role that didn't let him shine properly, which is something that he gets to do as Wade Wilson. His love interest in the film is played by Morena Baccarin, who gives a fiery and strong performance as Vanessa. Added to the mix is what would normally be considered the comedic relief (although in a film that has comedy layered throughout, it is just extra icing on a cake that makes it all the more delicious and fattening) with Wilson's friend Weasel, who is played by T.J. Miller in a very memorable performance.
If there is one qualm that I had with the film, and it is a minor one, it would be that perhaps the film was a little too self referential and fourth wall breaking. As with 22 Jump Street, it does well to add humour and freshness, but almost leans on the gag a little too often which softens the impact of it. Take that for what you will, but remember that it is only a mild issue that I had.
Overall it triumphs as a film that has a great sense of tone, awareness, and attention to pacing. It speeds along at a good clip, using its run time efficiently. It also never over plays the action elements, which allows them to keep from becoming too stale and loosing their impact. It shows us that there may be a new, hot director on the scene in Tim Miller, and it reminds us of what Ryan Reynolds is capable of in the right role.
Rating - 3 out of 4 stars
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