100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 26: Deadpool

Director: Tim Miller

Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Adventure

Runtime: 108 minutes

Year: 2016

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Gina Carano, Ed Skrein

Description: A former Special Forces operative turned mercenary (Ryan Reynolds) is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopting the alter ego Deadpool.

Review: Looks are everything, that’s Deadpool’s conclusion when he shows his deformed face to his friend. Ryan Reynolds is an actor that has his acting career thanks to his looks. And it’s great to see that same Reynolds portray Wade Wilson aka Deadpool in the most brilliant way. He had to give up his looks in order to cure himself from cancer and to become immortal. His humor he kept, thank goodness. From the fun opening sequence that sums up some common superhero movie elements (moody teenage, CGI character, unnecessary cameo) to the after credits scene: “Deadpool” is, besides a great action film, a fantastic film filled with catchy one liners and sharp dialogues.

It starts with Wade in a cab, who tells the audience that his life was once perfect. In an important acquittal, director Tim Miller takes us back to better times with the use of flashbacks. Wade was once part of Special Forces, later became a mercenary and he was a womanizer. In his bar he meets stripper/ prostitute Vanessa. The two fall for each other and have all the luck in the world. Untill Wade finds out he has cancer. He leaves Vanessa to spare her the pain. Wade meets mutant Ajax, who says he can cure him. Hours of torture are ahead of him, but the prize he pays for continuing his life is much bigger than he thought. Wade becomes his alter ego Deadpool and wants revenge.

“Deadpool” is a pleasant variety in the superhero genre. The movie dares to mock Marvel and itself. Many references to “The Avengers” and “X-Men”, and even “The Green Lantern” which stars Ryan Reynolds. This works great. Ryan Reynolds’ performance is really good and he even breaks the fourth wall. And every time you think you discovered a cheesy or unoriginal element, the writers managed to make it surprising.

“Deadpool” is an unconventional take on a superhero story and this separates it from the rest. Fun times!

Rating: 4,5/ 5