FILMS… Deadpool (2016)

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Deadpool makes it big in an anti-hero love story (Spoilers)…

 

An anti-hero origins love story with a different kind of Marvel hero.

 

Deadpool

Deadpool and Vanessa

Deadpool | Official HD Trailer #1 | 2016, 20th Century Fox UK and photos © 20th Century Fox

 

When Darlin Husband suggested going to see a Ryan Reynolds superhero movie, my first thought was one of horror as I remembered as he put it “the Ryan Reynolds head in CGI land movie”, the Green Lantern (2011). After showing me a trailer of Deadpool (2016), where Ryan Reynolds plays a wise-cracking, sarcastic – and lovable for these reasons alone – anti-hero with plenty of love for his pop culture references, his weaponry and his girl, he convinced me this was a film I would enjoy.

Watching it at the cinema, I knew from the opening titles, using apt amusing random descriptions rather than actors’ names examples include British Bad Guy, Hot Chick and Gratuitous Cameo. The title music, Angel Of The Morning – here sung by Juice Newton – lured me in and kept me transfixed for the entire film like a certain ever-hopeful actor to the Oscars ceremony knowing if he’s got the award this time just before the closing of the night’s proceedings.

So what’s the film about, our anti-hero is found in a taxi hoping to be ready to meet up with the bad guy’s car and bike entourage. No reason is given why at this time. He bonds with the taxi driver Dopinder. Then with only a dozen bullets, his fists and a couple of swords he puts John Wick (2014) to shame disposing of bad guys.

This is interspersed with plenty of wisecracks and pop culture references as he searches for their leader, Francis. As you do. The screen then freezes as he and Francis come head to head. Deadpool then speaks to us, the audience, using the fourth wall, and tells us his story over the last two years leading up to this and the reason for being who he is today…

Flash backwards to two years ago, or as the film’s pitch put it for their Valentine’s Day release, the bit like a certain contrived romance writer but sexed up 9.5 weeks style – including lots of bared bottomed Ryan Reynolds for the girls – I’d say not as fit as Matt Damon’s CGI one in The Martian (2015) but certainly less wobbly than Chris Hemsworth’s in Rush (2013) – of the love story between Wade and Vanessa.

Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) works helping out young girls in need as a mercenary by tracking down their stalkers and abusive stepfathers and threatening them using a blend of wit and violence. He goes to his local bar and there chats with his friend, Weasel (T.J. Miller) the barman.

Wilson spots Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). There is an instant attraction between him and Vanessa, and they flirt, fall in love and have a bonk fest over the next year as graphically illustrated by this themed montage. On Christmas Day, he proposes and she accepts. Sadly, he then collapses and is diagnosed with terminal cancer and Vanessa vows loyally to stay with him.

Wilson does not want to put her through this pain and leaves. Back at the bar, he is approached by a mysterious recruiter (Jed Rees) who offers him a chance to be cured of his cancer which puts him in a quandary. After deciding to try this option, he leaves Vanessa to find out more. He is taken to a laboratory where he meets Ajax and Angel Dust.

This film, like Ant-man (2015) was co-written by the actor involved, and in which Reynolds pokes fun at himself as a heart-throb and as a character in one of his previous movies. It is essential, that you have a good knowledge of films for this movie, for which I was able to explain some of the references! Films from Alien 3 (1992) to Notting Hill (1999) to Say Anything (1989) are alluded to.

In addition, 1980s music from this era is used in the soundtrack, and as the music was pure Realweegiemidget guilty pleasures from that time from and including the title track which I remembered Karen Carpenter cover, it was hard for me not to sing along and probably hard for my husband who has always mocked my musical taste.

Anyway back to the movie, Reynolds was made for both this movie and this character as Nicholson was for the Joker in Batman (1989), Leonardo DiCaprio as the lead role of The Great Gatsby (2013) and Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975). I can understand why Reynolds is still 100% super excited about the film as this is his movie, his delivery and his acting that makes him better than any superhero to date, even Loki was never this sarcastic.

This film has the best role he’s done to date and I have seen him in a few dodgy romantic comedies I’d personally advise him – like I would to Matthew McConaughey – to step away from anything your agent begs you to do in this genre for one more shot. Baccarin as the sassy and feisty doe-eyed girlfriend reminded me of a more voluptuous Teri Hatcher.

As British bad guy, Francis, Ed Skrein was an OTT British bad guy giving his fellow Brit, Jason Statham a run for his money. The script had more references to pop culture now and then than your average Family Guy episode and yes, Ryan Reynolds, you are now officially pardoned for your rom-com and Green Lantern’s forthwith, as we forgave Bill Murray for Garfield (2004) in Zombieland. But still have to forgive the movies, based on that much better TV Series, Charlie’s Angels.

 

Weeper Rating: 😦 😦 😦😦 😦 😦 😦 😦 /10

Handsqueeze Rating: 🙂 🙂  🙂 🙂  🙂🙂 /10

Hulk Rating:  0 ‎/10

 

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October Birthdayz Blogathon 2018, No 53

This is the second of three posts added to No Nonsense with Nuwan Sen’s October Birthdayz Blogathon. As for this blogathon, I’m adding posts on Deadpool, Roger Moore and Dorian Gray (1970).. and Ryan Reynolds who was born on October 23rd. Other reviews with this cast include Ryan Reynolds in the trailer for Deadpool 2 review.

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