Deadpool Review: Smart, Savvy and Sexy

When test footage for Tim Miller’s “Deadpool” dropped, it immediately broke the Internet. Fans clamored and beg to see his movie on the big screen, and Fox, the studio behind the “X-Men” films, succumbed to the fan outcry, giving the Ryan Reynolds starring the green-light.

Even with that short test footage that perfectly encapsulated The Merc With a Mouth’s appeal, it was particularly hard to believe it would be able to sustain that for a full-length feature – but from the opening credits of “Deadpool,” you immediately realize “Oh, my god. They have done it.”

Skipping the complexities and continuity that weigh down a lot of science fiction and comic book films, writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick and director Tim Miller give fans the “Deadpool” film of their chimichanga-filled dreams – it also helps that Ryan Reynolds was put on this earth to play Wade Wilson.

As complicated and impossible as it may seem to bring a self-aware motor mouth mercenary to the big screen, the filmmakers’ greatest achievement is this: Keeping it simple.

You’ve got the hero, the girl, the British villain and the henchwomen – a love story with a side of revenge. This basic plot allows the movie to focus on its titular hero, which in turn makes the audience invest in the story. Yes, the appeal of Deadpool is his quick wit and twin katanas; however, Miller is able to fit genuine moments of love and sincerity that don’t feel forced – Reynolds is about as inseparable from the role of Deadpool as Hugh Jackman with Wolverine and Robert Downey Jr. with Iron Man.

Those genuine moments of the film are heightened by Reynolds’ performance whose experience on the indie scene and natural sense of humor bring Wade Wilson to life. When Wilson is being told about his Cancer diagnosis and just looks at Vanessa (Morena Boccarin) highlight how good Reynolds is, not long ago you were falling off your chair laughing and now, the love you just saw blossom is coming to a screeching halt, all of this is conveyed through a couple of words and a look.

While we are on the acting tip, it has to be said that top to bottom, the cast is perfect. Boccarin, T.J. Miller and Ed Skrein all take on the gargantuan task of going up against Reynolds’ Deadpool and they themselves leave their mark on the film. After you watch the movie with your friends, poll them on their favorite character, outside of Deadpool himself, you’re more than likely going to get a different answer each time.

First time director Tim Miller’s experience in visual FX is in full effect in “Deadpool.” Action scenes are skillfully crafted and as previously stated, the opening credits alone tells the audience, “This is the ‘Deadpool’ movie you’ve been looking for.” Miller’s greatest achievement though is the film’s focus. Its plot is tight and every character has their place – something the current plight of superhero movies seem to lack. Miller never gets ahead of himself, throughout it is clear that he is making the best “Deadpool” movie he can make, and he does.

When it comes to comic book movies that are completely true the material they are adapting, they are few and far between. It is a rarity that a movie like “Deadpool” comes along, one that is exactly what the doctor ordered. All involved gave maximum effort to bring The Merc with a Mouth to life. Like a “Deadpool” book the film has laughs, severed heads and explosions – so if you love chimichangas, love, action or just fun in general, see “Deadpool.”