Deadpool (2016)

 

It's almost poetry how Ryan Reynolds personally tried for years to get his favourite comic book character to the big screen. No really, he meant it and wanted to do the best he could. That also means this is an R-rated fest of blood, guts and swearing, which means that this one is absolutely spot on and in sync with the character from the comics. 

Well, mostly, but hey: beggars can't be choosers. 

Wade Wilson is a mercenary with a soft spot for helpless people, most of the time. He also constantly mouths off against anyone and everyone and this occasionally rubs people the wrong way. However, one fateful night, he runs into Vanessa and it is love at first sight. Things seem to go well for the couple, until Wade discovers he has terminal cancer. Because he doesn't want her to see him fade away, Wade runs off and gets contacted by some shady agent who claims his organisation can cure him. Wade accepts, but it turns out the facility where they do this is one where they try to create mutant soldiers for sale by extreme torture. So Wade gets a mutant power, namely that he heals from nearly anything, as his cancer causes this in a sort of not-really-explained way. 

But the procedure has also left him scarred and now he wants payback. So he hunts the one responsible for his deformed face, another mutant named Ajax. Or Francis, depending whom you ask. 

On his quest, Deadpool gets help from Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, two members of the X-Men and clearly other sides to Deadpool's coin. Shenanigans ensue, with copious jokes and fourth-wall-breaks. 

So, at heart this is a simple story and throughout, the narration also makes this clear. But it is first and foremost insanely funny, even though certain jokes can be a bit crass at times. Yes, there's plenty of action and it's great in all its bloody glory, but the jokes really fly constantly here. Revisiting this film makes one realise just how close it is to a darkly twisted comedy. 

Heck, it just is one. Sod it. 

Everything fits the character and this is truly a work of love and respect for the source material. That makes 'Deadpool' one of the most entertaining superhero films out there and if you haven't seen it yet, it's highly suggested you should. You won't regret it.