Deadpool – DVD review

Despite the feeling of satiety when it comes to superhero movies, I still had to see this new hero from the Marvel stable. Now, you didn’t need much to persuade me to watch it. Certainly not after I saw the revealed trailer last year. Immediately I was convinced that this could become a mega blockbuster. It was so brilliant and witty. Trust me, I was sick and tired of the world of The Avengers, X-Men and Super/Spiderman. Most superhero movies were just a copy from the previous episodes. Another storyline but with the same principle. Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man and Deadpool are exceptions to that rule. A refreshing breeze through the superheroes universe.

Right from the opening credits you know what to expect – a mixture of bluntly, spectacular action and sharp, unabashed humor. Deadpool is credited as “some douchebag’s film” and as protagonist “God’s perfect idiot” with “a hot chick” to take revenge on “a British villain” with the help of “a moody teen” and “a CGI character”. It’s produced by “asshats”, written by “the real heroes here” and directed by “an overpaid tool”. You can read this during the opening shot with the camera zooming out in slow motion during a devastating car crash. Maybe it’s not high-level humor, but it’s an indication that you shouldn’t take it all seriously. A crossfire of sarcastic, sexual and provocative one-liners throughout the whole film. Deadpool is an outsider at all levels who uses both self-deprecating and offensive text lines. The humor is sometimes as explicit as the violence used in the movie. Graphic violence with well thought sarcasm is exactly the combination I love the most.

Ryan Reynolds could drop his acting talent, since he wears the Deadpool mask practically the entire movie. I have no doubts about his abilities as an actor. Certainly not after seeing him in Mississippi Grind and Woman in Gold. The mediocre movies in which he turned up (RIPD, Safe House and Green Lantern) were from a significantly lower level. But this was certainly not due to Reynolds, but rather because of a measly movie script. In Deadpool physical stamina, agility and speaking skills are more important than acting skills. His greatest merit is his perseverance to get this Deadpool project realized, despite the resistance of the Marvel despots. After a cameo in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, his obstinacy and the enthusiasm of the Deadpool-supporters made sure this film was realized. Thank God for that!

I include this highly entertaining and over-the-top movie in the list of most successful movies of the year. For all I care they can think up a few sequels, even though I thoroughly hate sequels. As long as the concept stays intact and both humor and action are of an equivalent level. Deadpool fascinated me so much, that even the presence of Gina Carano didn’t bother me. Ed Skrein showed again that he’s cut out for a role as crazy villain and that participating in a monstrosity as The Transporter Refueled was a misjudgment. One thing is clear though. Haven’t you seen this flick? Put on a red latex suit, place yourself in front of a widescreen television and have fun with this unpretentious, anti-hero.

Deadpool is now available on DVD, Blu-ray and on-demand.

Peter Pluymers
For more of Peter Pluymers’ movie reviews, check out My Opinion as a Movie-Freak