‘Deadpool’ is Fun
Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool | Credit: 20th Century Fox
Deadpool drops us into the world of Deadpool/Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), a mercenary turned superhero(?) who is on a quest to find the man who disfigured him and gave him extraordinary abilities.
I remember when Deadpool came out, right in the middle of MCU’s meteoric rise. Though I didn’t see it then, the buzz around this movie was overwhelming. For many, this felt like a breath of fresh air amidst an onslaught of good-guy superhero films. We have seen so many heroes be the good guys who save the world time and time again. While that’s a formula that works and can be enjoyable, it’s also nice to have some variety. And Deadpool offered that.
This film manages to combine elements of the superhero and antihero subgenres into a fun, irreverent, and gory action film. It is somehow both upbeat and positive while also being tragic and rather dark. There is a lightheartedness to Deadpool’s character that lends itself to some really creative moments of graphic violence. This movie contains so many juxtapositions while still achieving a cohesive film, which is quite an achievement.
While the story isn’t revolutionary, and some of the characters feel a little thin, the tone of this film is spot on. This film, honestly, shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it absolutely nails it! I also can’t help but wonder if Deadpool walked so that a show like The Boys could run.
Ryan Reynolds and Brianna Hildebrand in Deadpool | Credit: 20th Century Fox
One of the most brilliant aspects of Deadpool is how it’s structured. This film features a non-linear and sometimes chaotic storyline where we jump back and forth in time a lot, especially at the beginning. The story essentially opens in the middle, takes us back to the beginning, and then catches up to the middle again. It’s a bit disjointed, but it also totally works.
This choice is brilliant because it is completely in line with who this character is. Deadpool is off the wall, pretty chaotic, and almost definitely has some undiagnosed ADHD. It feels as though we’re following his train of thought as he goes from one thought or part of his story to another. Not only does this structure fill us in on what has happened to Wade, but it sheds light on who he is.
It’s also a great way to manage the tonal shifts throughout the film. It’s very lighthearted, silly, and irreverent. There are so many jokes and pop culture references being thrown about amidst all the violence. But there are also some tragic and really dark moments.
We learn that Wade fell in love with Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) and then left her after he was diagnosed with cancer. He hoped to be able to find a cure for his illness and return to her, but that’s not how things went down. Instead, he was subjected to excruciating torture and medical tests that left him disfigured.
That whole sequence of him learning of his diagnosis and being tortured by Ajax (Ed Skrein) is really heavy stuff. Some of it is heartbreaking and hard to watch. It's not exactly what you’d expect to see in such a light-hearted and violent superhero adventure experience.
But because these more emotional moments are broken up through flashes back to the present, we are able to stop and catch our breaths before we see the next harrowing moment.
I’m not always a fan of flashbacks, but I think that Deadpool uses them effectively.
Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool | Credit: 20th Century Fox
Upon rewatching, I was really impressed by the pacing of this film. Honestly, after a while, Ryan Reynolds and his type of humor can get on my nerves. He is hilarious, but his humor becomes less effective for me as time goes on. But I think the tone of the film was well-regulated throughout. Thankfully, some of the bits and jokes don’t go on longer than they should, allowing the film to continue its momentum.
Deadpool talks and thinks at such a rapid pace that you’re constantly moving, which I think is brilliant. He is so quick-witted that there’s always something to keep you on your toes, even in heartwarming or harrowing moments. And the entire film is littered with easter eggs or pop culture references to keep you entertained.
This film has a real sense of forward momentum, and I think the quick pace of the dialogue has a lot to do with it. Rapid speeches help make The West Wing so exciting to watch, and that same technique makes Deadpool even more thrilling.
I remember enjoying Deadpool when I watched it for the first time a few years ago, and it was a blast to relive this adventure again. It’s always fun to drop into the crazy world of Wade Wilson for a little while and then return to the safety of your own home again once you’re done.
That’s a win-win!