Deadpool

Undoubtedly one of the new century’s few effective comic-book adaptations, Deadpool follows Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson as he’s forcefully transformed into the superpowered title character by a vicious underworld figure named Ajax (Ed Skrein) – with the movie, surprisingly enough, emphasizing Wade’s efforts to reunite with his former girlfriend, Morena Baccarin’s Vanessa. It’s that latter aspect of the proceedings that ultimately elevates Deadpool above its big-budget brethren, as the movie possesses a comparatively down-to-earth feel that generally proves impossible to resist – with this vibe certainly heightened by Reynolds’ perpetually affable turn as both Wade Wilson and Deadpool. (It’s interesting to note, however, that the movie is at its best when focused on the former, as the latter comes off as a rather over-the-top figure that works best in small doses.) There’s little doubt, as well, that Deadpool benefits from an impressively (and appreciatively) pared-down narrative, as the film, in stark comparison to most bloated comic-book movies, primarily concerns itself with the exploits of a small handful of characters and isn’t bogged down with a myriad of subplots involving one-dimensional, underdeveloped figures (eg the Avengers series). It’s disappointing to note, then, that director Tim Miller can’t help but indulge in genre conventions during the movie’s overblown, CGI-heavy climax, which ultimately does ensure that Deadpool concludes on a decidedly less-than-enthralling note – and yet Miller’s inability to stick the landing can’t entirely diminish what is mostly a solid big-budget extravaganza.

*** out of ****