Deadpool

Gavin Hood’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) was highly criticised for several reasons, one of which was that the character Deadpool, played by the handsome Ryan Reynolds, the amazing bullet-deflecting swordsman and talkative personality in the film’s prologue was turned into a hideous Frankenstein’s monster of mutant powers with his mouth sewed shut at the end (because they thought it was best to remove one of the primary characteristics that fans love about him). Audiences and Marvel Entertainment alike have more or less rejected the film as part of X-Men Cinematic Universe continuity. However, many agree that Ryan Reynolds was perfect to play the role of “the Merc with a Mouth” based on his portrayal of the character in the first third of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Thus, Reynolds was cast again as the title character in Tim Miller’s highly anticipated Deadpool.

The character Deadpool is best loved for his relentless sense of humour and breaking the 4^th wall. The film does not disappoint. It provides a healthy mix of dirty humour, classic or basic jokes, physical humour, intertextual references, fourth wall breaking, and Ryan Reynold’s charm. The audience’s interest is caught right from the opening credits. That’s not to say the comedy is to everyone’s liking. Some may receive Deadpool’s constant riffing as annoying, or that some of the basic jokes have been used too often before, like when during an action scene Deadpool wonders whether or not he left the stove on. Deadpool’s apparent catchphrase, “maximum effort”, while amusing at first, feels overused and slightly forced the more he says it. However for the most part, the cinemas are filled with laughter throughout for all jokes involved. It may simply be a matter of personal taste.

Character design, particularly with our main heroes, is quite good. Deadpool’s voice is clear despite the mask covering his mouth. CGI is used on his eyes to give his mask expressiveness, working to dramatic and comedic effect. The costume as a whole accurately resembles the character’s design in other mediums, giving the audience what they want visually, which seems more fun than if it were altered. Joining Deadpool are fellow X-Men Colossus (Stephan Kapičić) and the awesomely named Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand). Strangely, Colossus spends the entire film in his metal form, never once reverting to his organic appearance, even eating breakfast as a metal giant. In terms of continuity, his personality (and height) is nothing like his representation in the X-Men trilogy. However, it’s not like the trilogy or following X-Men films actually established a personality for him anyway, so a new take on characterisation is warranted. His character may not be a faithful transfer from his comic book counterpart, being portrayed as an idealistic semi-pacifist with a soft spot and a strong, possibly stereotypical Russian accent, which has likely been made to be this way for noticeable contrast to Deadpool’s personality. Negasonic Teenage Warhead is initially given a goth-style outfit to reflect her moody personality, though she later reveals a yellow X-Men-style costume. The costume contrasts greatly with the X-Men’s leathery black uniforms in their cinematic universe, being based instead on a comic book design. In a world where Hollywood cinema forces adaptations to go darker to seem more practical or fashionable, the bright yellow costume is a welcome change of pace that stands out incredibly well. Fun fact: in the comic books, Negasonic Teenage Warhead’s powers were telepathy and precognition (begging the question, at least to the uninitiated, of why she has this name). The film’s writers decided to give her the powers of detonation belonging to Cannonball, which, at least for the film, seems much more fitting to her name and contributes to some variety to the trio’s powers.

Joining the supporting cast are Deadpool’s love interest Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), his best friend Weasel (T. J. Miller), his elderly roommate Blind Al (Leslie Uggams), a Weapon X recruiter (Jed Rees), and the villains, the pain-suppressing Ajax (Ed Skrein) and super-strong Angel Dust (Gina Carano). In the first third, Vanessa is represented as Wade/Deadpool’s perfect partner, competing and compatible with his comedic and physical personality, but developing to a slightly more emotionally damaged state later in the film due to Wade leaving her to spare her his death by cancer, though she maintains a kind of strong disposition. One is almost certain that T. J. Miller was cast in this film for the purpose of insulting Deadpool’s disfigured face by expressing similes of its appearance. Leslie Uggams portrays Blind Al as a loveable grumpy grandmother-type, essentially the opposite to Deadpool in their little duo. Jed Rees portrays a charmingly untrustworthy “Agent Smith” who fits incredibly well as part of the inciting incident.

Then there are the main villains, Ajax and Angel Dust. For the most part, their character designs don’t stand out necessarily very well, unlike our main heroes. Angel Dust is basically portrayed as a female thug, which doesn’t make her greatly interesting. Ajax could be considered one in a long list of underdeveloped Marvel movie villains. His sadistic personality and ruthlessness give him some outwardly entertaining qualities as a villain, but aside from that there’s no time to give him the slightest of complexity, essentially making him an action movie antagonist, a criminal whose motivation is primarily money, who just so happens to be able to hold a man up by his throat with one arm. Not even his immunity to pain is given the illustration to indicate how his ability affects him as a character. His costume stands out a little during the climax, where he wields twin steel axes, as it seems vaguely warrior-like yet modern and practical, although as a comic book supervillain one could argue that the design is somewhat forgettable. It’s a good performance on Ed Skrein’s part, just not a great antagonist for the story.

Comparing the film to its source material, one notices a few changes, if even perhaps minor ones. Deadpool’s namesake in the comic books comes from a gladiatorial gambling ring held by the inmates of Ajax’s laboratory; in the film, the “dead pool” is a series of bar fights held by Weasel. In the comics, Deadpool’s healing factor comes from his being injected with Wolverine’s DNA, but in the film it is the result of Wade’s apparent “latent mutant genes” being activated through a serum. While it may seem like nitpicking, in a film that establishes itself as part of the X-Men Cinematic Universe in which Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine exists, it’s seems a strange push to change this part of Deadpool’s origin. At the very least the film could have made a joke about it, and it would have met the pseudo-comic book design that the adaptation mimics in other areas. Vanessa was also a shapeshifting mutant called Copycat in the comic books, but the film doesn’t portray her as such. This is arguably more understandable, given it would have probably lead to an additional subplot, if a minor one, and possibly a drain on the film’s limited budget, which the film openly admits the studio had in order to make it. While she is definitely an enjoyable character and a fitting love interest for the protagonist, she is ultimately reduced to a damsel in distress by the end of the movie.

Complimenting the light-hearted tone of the film are incredibly energetic action scenes. Combat includes and mixes gun fighting with swordplay and quick, even spontaneous acrobatics. The two main action scenes of the film are memorable, though mostly the opening scene (which may or may not owe to its constant use in advertising the film), ranging from slapstick to abstract gore and ranged or melee combat to ensuing chaos. The duel between Deadpool and Ajax shows good choreography and a sense of drama and increasing difficulty. In retrospect, any fears for Deadpool’s success are compromised when one considers that Deadpool is for all intents and purposes immortal, being able to survive shots to the head or even recover from being melted to a puddle in other mediums. Between a man who can heal from anything and an adversary who is only immune to pain, the fight seems one-sided on paper. One then considers that the threat is not on Deadpool’s life but rather whether he can save Vanessa’s when Ajax holds her prisoner. As a comedy or an action movie, Deadpool doesn’t disappoint.

Deadpool may not tell a particularly great story. Its use of recognised yet mostly underdeveloped characters could be received as either narratively simplistic or lacking in inventive characterisation. However, the focus of effort is directed at visual style and entertainment aspects, which are the main things that appeal to the film’s audience. Ryan Reynolds steals the show as the loveable and witty protagonist. The humour throughout is diverse and creative. Its purpose is first and foremost to entertain, but its story is essentially told through a simple Hollywood narrative (though a non-linear one). While this doesn’t make Deadpool a perfect movie, the film knows what it needs to do and what expectations to meet to keep its audience’s interest. The actors’ performances are likeable, the humour is balanced with serious tones and emotional moments, and the action is engaging and exciting. It is pleasing to fans and to young adult audiences and older (aged 15 and over, parents). For a good time, Deadpool is recommended.