The Merc makes a movie!

COLINS FILM CLUB REVIEW - DEADPOOL(2016) Blu ray disc.

For most people going to see a Marvel film, be it the 20th Century Fox side or the Disney owned side of Marvel, you can pretty much prepare yourself for the onslaught of CGI and certificate 12 violence that awaits you. Not so with Deadpool... for here we have a refreshingly anti-hero normal guy turned indestructible vigilante with wisecracks, fun quips and penis jokes aplenty. No, this is not your typical Marvel superhero gig. After the wickedly amusing opening credits we piece together the story of Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) through a couple of flashback scenes which set into place the events leading you up to the present. The plot is quite basic, and is part origin story as well as build up to the main arc which is essentially revenge. Just as Wade and his girlfriend are finding happiness in life, cancer strikes several key organs in his body. Offered a miracle cure by some shady guy in a bar, Wade leaves his beloved to get the treatment. Things do not go smoothly and Wade has his cells mutated by the evil Ajax, real name Francis - and it destroys his face and body, leaving Wade looking a freak. Francis promised a cure to restore his looks, but instead ends up kidnapping Waders girlfriend. and now fast forward to the present and we see Wade, now transformed into alter ego Deadpool exacting revenge on Francis with a little Mutant help from two X Men. Reynolds previous superhero outing was the poorly received Green Lantern which the actor himself has apologised for, and which is given a sarky reference to in this film about his costume not being "...green or animated!". But with Deadpool he has found his niche. This is Reynolds in full on verbal assault mode, the quips come fast and furious and are constantly on the ball, as Deadpool, Reynolds has a character which can truly be "the Merc with a mouth" and he delivers totally. Also, keeping to his comic book origins too and retaining the breaking of the "fourth wall" - talking directly to the viewer and basically narrating the film, is a wonderful touch. The other characters are sadly more generic, including his girlfriend and Francis, however credit is due to the CGI Colossus from the X-Men, he is not quite as seen in previous X-Men films and has developed a Russian voice and look, but this version does at least look good on screen. On this Blu Ray disc we have a good selection of extras, the normal deleted and extended scenes, gag reel, documentaries etc... but there is also stuff on the concept from comic to film along with artwork and costumes and a look at the shipyard stunt, but above all there is the hilarious commentary by director Tim Miller and Ryan Reynolds which you really need to listen too and all of the TV Spots, trailers (both green and red band versions) info commercials, and promo films Reynolds did in full Deadpool costume to promote the film. The disc is rated 15, but I wouldn't call that excessive as it's quite graphic in places, although it simply mirrors the comic here. Marvel and 20th Century Fox should pat themselves on the back for having the courage to bring this film to the screen, it has been on Reynolds wishlist for a while and something he wanted to atone for the Green Lantern fiasco.

Deadpool is fun. Subversively and deliciously fun... it has that acidic edge to it which is both gritty and hilarious. The violence is tempered with a witty remark or Deadpool showing off his latest child-like drawing, but it is always funny. The film has found that neatly balanced edge and is walking along it just fine.

If your fed up with the antics of the goody goody Avengers and feel like "..Daddy needs to express some anger!", then pop Deadpool 's disc in your player, sit back and enjoy one of the best anti superhero films to date...

COLINS FILM CLUB RATING 🌟🌟🌟🌟