Review of Deadpool (2016) by The Critic ( — 29 Jul 2016

Despite lacking the in-depth character development and fleshed out story arch that we're used to from the Marvel Comics film franchises, 'Deadpool' proves to be a fresh take on a familiar formula. The tongue-in-cheek humour is established from the get-go (i.e. the opening credits) and are reiterated through our title character's breaking the fourth wall and self-referential gags - the studio's saving money by only showing two X-Men characters, he quips!

Thus, the key to the film's success is Ryan Reynolds as our titular anti-hero. Reynolds elevates the film to a greater degree than it is entitled to; played straight, 'Deadpool' is an otherwise formulaic sequence of stylised action scenes. There's also stunning support from Morena Baccarin, as the love interest Vanessa Carlysle, and Ed Skrein as villain Ajax.

Although far from perfect and, by all means, over-rated by its devout fan base, 'Deadpool' is a consistently engaging ride of popcorn entertainment. A risk that reaped rewards for 20th Century Fox.