Deadpool/4 Palm Trees
By Eduardo Victoria/[email protected]
From the studio that has failed to create any viable franchises besides Wolverine comes the latest entry into a year packed with superhero films. Deadpool is the adaptation of Rob Liefield’s foul-mouthed, wise cracking, pansexual “superhero” that appeared in several incarnations over the years thanks to Marvel. Yes, that term is to be taken lightly as we see him do many un-heroic things.
The story picks up with Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), an ex-special forces member who now operates as a hit-man of sorts with a non-stop sense of humor, falling in love with Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). Wilson discovers that he has terminal cancer spread to all over his body and is offered a second chance at life through the help of the mysterious Francis (Ed Skrein). When he is left for dead disfigured, and mutated. Wilson seeks revenge and to restore some semblance of normalcy to his love life.
A Marvel fan favorite for years, the character translates extremely well to the screen. Written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the film holds a surprising amount of emotional weight during the scenes in which Wilson and Vanessa’s relationship is blossoming.
This is in part successful due to the performances of Reynolds and Baccarin who serve as a great foil to each other. The supporting cast of villains isn’t anything to write home about, but then again, that’s not the point of the movie.
Deadpool is a rare comic book film in which the eventual battle between good and evil is not the key to its resolution. It is what stands in its way from Wilson being able to get back to Vanessa. The film is about these two characters and the mess they enter. Deadpool would probably work if all the major villains were taken out.
An interesting element is the addition of lesser-known X-Men Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) who serves as a touch of detached youth to the story. Serving the story only in the fight scenes, I was left waiting for more from her “big brother/little sister relationship” with Colossus (voiced by Stefan Kapicic).
Is Deadpool rife with subtext, deeper meaning, and an attempt to elevate the genre? Absolutely not. From the opening credits, first scenes of action, and filthy sounds of Tom Holkenborg’s synthesizer heavy score, Deadpool knows its audience. This is a fan service film and it’s perhaps the best one coming along at the right time for 20th Century Fox.
What is best about Deadpool is that the story doesn’t take him to the corners of the earth, hi-tech sci-fi environments, or drop him in story of espionage. We see him trying to restore order to his life, but failing to do so because he gets glee out of punishing people worse than he is. Sit back, let the fourth wall be broken, and get to know one of the best incarnations of Deadpool to date.
Now playing at Cinemark Downtown 10 Rated R
