I’m positive I laughed at something in this movie, but I can’t quite place it because it’s buried under a pile of juvenile, unbearable crap that attempts to skate by on faux cleverness. No, Deadpool, pointing out that Morena Baccarin’s character is a “hot girl” does not mean that your treatment of her as a generic love interest is good in any way. No, Deadpool, pointing out that your villain is a typical “British villain” does not make him anything more than a one-dimensional and forgettable British villain. It’s like the filmmakers thought that their work was done after coming up with the opening credits, that they would then be excused for all the problems that followed. From then on, it was probably a race to see who could come up with the most obnoxious line or scene in the movie.
The unfortunate thing here is that Deadpool seems like an interesting character, especially in relation to the rest of the Marvel universe; I have no doubt that a good story and character can be crafted with this material. The problem is that every time Deadpool makes a quip or talks to the camera or acts like the douchey frat guy he is, I want to take the nearest sharp object and hurl it at the screen. Aside from that one joke I probably laughed at, I can’t find any redeemable aspect to this character whatsoever. If 90% of his jokes fall flat and his origin story/romance is boring and his conflict with the villain is uninspired, then what are we left with? Ryan Reynolds? It’s telling when Ryan Reynolds’s performance is the best aspect of the character, considering Ryan Reynolds is as mediocre of an actor as you will ever come across. At least he’s having fun with it.
As for the other characters? They’re not so much annoying as forgettable–what a waste of Morena Baccarin–and they don’t really serve much purpose aside from being pieces to move around in fight sequences (which are bloodier, just in case you didn’t get the message that this is an R-RATED MOVIE!!!!). For a film that markets itself as witty and different, it sure likes to saddle its characters with derivative story beats and awful dialogue. Even if we take possible intents out of it–e.g. stay faithful to the comics, subvert the genre, be an ‘extension’ of the genre, etc.–it’s still the same lackluster movie we’ve seen a thousand times. It’s just repackaged with shittier packaging and stamped with a note that says yes, it’s shitty packaging.
GRADE: C-
OTHER THOUGHTS:
-I understand that this juvenile wisecracker is who Deadpool is, but I guess it’s just not my type of thing.
-I will say that the opening credits are fun.
Photo credit: Deadpool, 20th Century Fox, Marvel
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Watching either tomorrow or Monday. I think I’m going to like it, but extreme crudeness is something I’m starting to hear a lot.
I can understand why you didn’t like it as it isn’t for everyone but I loved it because I found it refreshing.
Fair enough! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
It’s crazy how people are pushing the film as being different from other superhero movies because of it’s R-rating. Becauss it’s just an 8-year-old stale double cheeseburger wrapped in an new edgy, vulgar packaging. Truly the R-rated, spandex-wearing Jesus that will save the market from PG-13 formulaic oversaturation.”
Haha you nailed it.
I really liked this movie. More than a few of the jokes were just lobbed out there though and felt out of context. Which didn’t bother me because I was already sold before the movie started. But the movie isn’t going to reinvent the genre or bring in any new fans to superhero movie just because of its R rating.
Besides one of the more brilliant of R-rated marketing campaigns.. the movie was fantastic.. and fun, brash and you had to keep up.. I liked that part..and oh yeah..I loved the final after-credits scene MUCHO!! 😀
Hey PB! I hope that you are wonderfully well!
For me it was a mixed bag I enjoyed it in parts, I liked his friend the bartender, I found him funny. I like Deadpool as a comic book character he is one of the only Marvel characters that I have read and enjoyed but not ongoing, I am in truth not a big fan of Marvel characters they do not really appeal to me, I grew up with DC and Archie comics and still prefer them. In the film he is a bit much at times and yes it was a tad over the top juvenile frat bro dude but that is what sells to fanboys, that and the stereotypical idea of calling someone a BADASS. (egads I hate that term)
I can see and agree with your review PB. This movie is making a tonne of dosh though and there is a sequel in the works, I most likely will not see it. But what really annoys me is that because it is making a lot of money there will be really lame attempts by other studios to make their own Deadpool type film and I am so dreading that jankery and it is coming.
Yeah I enjoyed TJ Miller as well! And yes, I definitely fear that attempted copies are coming soon, as you said, and that will just lead to more generic stuff eventually.
So glad to see you comment again!