Film review: Deadpool (15)

If you’re thinking “not another superhero film” I’d understand your scepticism – but Deadpool isn’t like anything Marvel, DC or Fox have done in recent years.

Those of you (like me) that lap up the seemingly endless supply of superhero movies will know what I mean when I say this Ryan Reynolds-led offering pretty much breaks all of the traditional rules for the genre.

The main difference between Deadpool and the rest is that it’s very much not for kids, hence the 15 rating.

And it’s that sole fact that has really seen Marvel’s adult fanbase get behind this alternative take on the genre.

The opening credits set the tone for the next 108 minutes, as we’re told Deadpool stars another “British villain”, a “moody teen”, a “hot chick” and “some idiot”.

It gained plenty of sniggers around Boston’s West End Cinema – and that’s Deadpool in a nutshell. It’s ridiculous, crass and sometimes hit and miss… but always good fun.

I’ll keep the synopsis of the actual story pretty brief, as there’s not really all that much to it. But before I begin it’s worth mentioning that Reynolds’ previous turn as Deadpool in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine is essentially written off here.

There are a few derogatory nods to that throughout, but it’s safe to say that it can be put on the “corrected by Days of Future Past” list.

Anyhow, we meet Reynolds (Van Wilder: Party Liason) as Wade Wilson, a shady fixer who promptly falls in love with dancer Vanessa (Morena Baccarin – Homeland) before being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

He eventually enters a research programme that promises to cure him, but instead sees him brutally tortured by Ajax (Ed Skrein – Game Of Thrones) and Angel Dust (Gina Carano – Fast 6).

As you’ll have seen from the trailer and advertising, the outcome of the “treatment” is that he becomes hideously disfigured (hence the outfit) but impossible to kill.

The rest of the film is essentially Deadpool hunting down Ajax and his goons – a task that sees him enlist the help of X-Men characters Colossus (Stefan Kapicic – Tears For Sale) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand – First Girl I Loved).

I liked that element, as it gave the character a sense of belonging in the wider X-Men universe. I know he liked to lampoon such characters in the comics, but that would have been a tougher direction to take from the off.

Story-wise, and I have to be honest, there’s nothing new here. It’s yet another origin story, but thankfully Wade doesn’t take too long to become Deadpool.

It’s very much a revenge tale involving largely generic bad guys, but Reynolds’ performance makes you forget most of that.

Quite simply, he is Deadpool. He delivers the character fans wanted – and there’s unlikely to be anybody who could have done it better.

His hunt for Ajax almost takes a back seat to some of the more mundane elements of the story, simply because Reynolds is hilarious.

Watching Deadpool ride in a cab and offer relationship advice to the driver, or mocking his blind and elderly house mate while trying to build a flatpack item of furniture are just two examples of that.

He also breaks that much-mentioned fourth wall, often taking time out to talk to the audience to explain himself.

Deadpool knows that it’s different and lets you in on the joke, something it should be applauded for.

Yes, the storyline is bog standard and both Ajax and Angel Dust serve as very weak villains, but for some reason it just didn’t seem to matter.

As touched upon above, this isn’t a film for children – and the 15 rating is fair. Extreme violence, language and gore are in play from the get-go, so you have been warned.

But part of me loves Deadpool for that very reason. It goes against everything else in the genre – and it absolutely works.

Voice Verdict: 8.5/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Ryan Reynolds
+ Adult take on superhero genre
+ Very self-aware and funny
– Weak story and villains

SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Feb 19 to Thurs, Feb 25)

**GRIMSBY (15)
6.30pm (Thurs), 8.45pm (Wed)

**TRIPLE NINE (15)
3pm (not Mon/Tues), 5.45pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)

**ROOM (15)
3.30pm (Mon/Tues)

**HOW TO BE SINGLE (15)
12.30pm (Wed), 3pm (not Mon/Tues), 6pm (daily), 8.30pm (daily)

DEADPOOL (15)
1pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 3.30pm (daily), 6.10pm (daily), 8.45pm (daily)

DAD’S ARMY (PG)
1.15pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 3.40pm (daily), 6pm (not Thurs), 8.20pm (Fri/Sat/Sun and SUBTITLED Mon)

ZOOLANDER 2 (12A)
12.30pm (Sun/Wed), 8.45pm (not Wed)

ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: ROADCHIP (U)
10am (Fri/Sat/Sun), noon (Fri/Sat/Sun), 2.10pm (Fri/Sat/Sun), 4.25pm (daily), 6.35pm (not Thurs)

DIRTY GRANDPA (15)
8.15pm (Wed)

GOOSEBUMPS (PG)
10am (Fri), 12.20pm (Fri/Sat/Sun)

THE REVENANT (15)
8.15pm (Tues)

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS 2D (12A)
10.10am (Fri/Sat/Sun)

CAPTURE THE FLAG (PG)
10.10am (Fri/Sat/Sun)

KIDS’ CLUB
10:15am (Fri/Sat/Sun) – The Good Dinosaur 2D (U)

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Dad’s Army (PG)

** FREE LIST SUSPENDED