Deadpool (2016)

The ex-elite soldier Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) hires himself out as a mercenary when he makes the acquaintance of the prostitute Vanessa Carlisle (Morena Baccarin). Sparks immediately fly between the crazy couple, and life for the two could be as beautiful as in a commercial. But then Wade learns that he has a fatal cancer. Therefore, he undergoes a risky experiment in the laboratory of the unscrupulous Ajax (Ed Skrein). Afterwards, he has enormous self-healing powers, but is hideously disfigured by the process - and so doesn't want to face Vanessa again. So Wade slips into a red and black suit with a mask and, as 'Deadpool', tries to get Ajax to undo the terrible side effects of his superpowers. Deadpool gets help from two X-Men, the metal man Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), a young woman with explosive abilities. However, Deadpool goes about his mission differently than other super-powered people. The most obvious differences are his pitch-black humor, his biting mouth and his habit of constantly breaking the fourth wall to the audience ...

Deadpool as a film is a small sensation and revelation at the same time. Already the most successful film in America with the age rating ›R‹ (which in Germany corresponds to the age rating ›Ab 16 Jahre‹.) 'Deadpool' offers a successful change in the genre monotony of the superhero film.

Directed by Tim Miller the film provides a raw and unfiltered experience that captivates audiences with its dark humor, self-awareness, and groundbreaking approach.

The sensation of the film is that it lives up to and even surpasses the promises its cheeky marketing campaign had previously made.

The film is self-referential and ironic. Ryan Reynolds in his interpretation of ›Deadpool‹, ›the hero with the big mouth‹ succeeds right off the bat what previously only Robert Downey Jr. accomplished with his embodiment of Tony ›Iron Man‹ Stark: You can't imagine any other actor in the role of ›Deadpool‹.

Bucking the trend of sanitized superhero movies, Deadpool embraced its R-rating, allowing for a more honest and gritty portrayal of its protagonist. The film doesn't shy away from depicting graphic violence, which adds to the authenticity of the character and his story. The action sequences are skillfully choreographed and visually striking, making use of the character's unique regenerative abilities to create intense and thrilling scenes. Deadpool's R-rated approach opened doors for more mature-themed superhero films, proving that the genre can cater to diverse audiences.

The R-rating release feels like a breath of fresh air. The exuberant use of violence seems so ›over the top‹, and at the same time is so appropriate for the subject, as perhaps only Paul Verhoeven with ›Robocop‹ has been the case before.

One of the defining aspects of Deadpool lies in its irreverent humor and self-awareness. The film features a constant barrage of witty one-liners, pop culture references, and fourth-wall-breaking moments, where Deadpool directly addresses the audience.

The plot, the ›what‹ of the film is basically beside the point, or rather quite simple. What makes ›Deadpool‹ so brilliant is the ›how‹. Basically, only a simple revenge story is told. But hidden at the core of the film is also a wonderful, modern romantic comedy. The chemistry between Reynolds and ›Firefly‹ star Baccarin is nothing short of great, reminiscent in its sympathetic twisted way of the sparks that flew between Bogart and Bacall on screen.

Deadpool's success rests on its ability to subvert expectations while offering a fresh perspective on the superhero genre. By combining irreverent humor, self-awareness, skillful action sequences, nonlinear storytelling, and a charismatic lead performance, the film revolutionized how audiences perceive superhero movies. Deadpool's impact generated a paradigm shift in the genre, pushing boundaries and proving that superhero films can be daring, hilarious, and artistically groundbreaking.

The shockwave that the film has caused in the studios of Hollywood is not to be underestimated. People will now brace themselves for a flood of brutal superhero movies for adults, which could take away from the genre the signs of fatigue already predicted by many.

›Deadpool‹ is one of the best films of 2016 right off the bat, and ›Batman v Superman‹ and ›Captain America - Civil War‹ will have to compete with this gem.