Over the past ten years, superhero movies have become less innovative and more commonplace. Now the once new and exciting genre seems almost derivative.
Marvel’s “Deadpool” takes this notion and hits it over the head with a sledgehammer.
“Deadpool” follows Wade Wilson, an ex-special forces operator. Wilson is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and in the process of finding a cure, he joins a secret program that grants him superpowers but grossly disfigures him in the process.
Seeking revenge on the man who disfigured him and kidnapped his fiancee, Wilson adopts the alter ego Deadpool.
From there, the story is off to the races with intense action sequences and memorable dialogue left and right.
“It’s badass “ said Greensboro moviegoer Dakota Cruz. “It was hilarious. You have to know people in other movies to get some of the jokes, but overall it was really funny.”
The movie’s humor really does set it apart. “Deadpool” is incredibly self-aware, and it makes fun of itself as much as anyone or anything else.
“I am definitely a fan of superhero movies as a whole, but Deadpool is more of a parody,” said Early College senior Thomas Lawe. “It took everything a superhero movie does and took it to the extreme.”
“Deadpool” adds to the humor with action scenes. The encounters blend humor and gore, bringing to mind the likes of “Pulp Fiction” and “Django: Unchained.”
“One area in which ‘Deadpool’ doesn’t hold back is its gory, well-crafted action,” said IGN writer Daniel Krupa in his review. “These are refined sequences full of creative violence and wit.”
The quieter sections of “Deadpool” still interest the audience thanks to performances from Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson and Morena Baccarin as his love interest, Vanessa. The two play off each other, making their characters’ romance surprisingly interesting and effective.
All of that said, “Deadpool” is far from perfect. The plot gets the job done, but unlike the rest of the film, it feels incredibly cliched. In a film that puts such a premium on being different, that mediocrity stands out like a sore thumb.
Another unfortunate problem, the antagonist feels underdeveloped and underwhelming. Though Ed Skrein’s Ajax is certainly very menacing, we know his motivation. As a result Ajax is evil but uninteresting.
Uninspiring villains aside, “Deadpool” is an enjoyable film. Its relentless humor and interesting action set it apart from other blockbusters.
“I would recommend it,” said Edward Lopez, self-proclaimed “Deadpool” fan. “(It was) way better than the (other) Marvel movies.”
Regardless of your attachment to Deadpool as a character or Marvel as a brand, “Deadpool” offers up one of the most intensely entertaining movies of 2016 so far.
“I loved ‘Deadpool,’” said Lawe. “Everyone should watch it.”
If you are not afraid to add a little gore and sarcasm to your superhero movie night or are tired of the intensely serious comic movies of yesteryear, give “Deadpool” a shot.
