BLOOD WORK: SILVER TONGUED SILVER SCREEN: DEADPOOL (2016)

So, I'm a little behind the times but this is one that is better late than never. Last month the fans and everyone else were finally privy to a film that was promised nearly seven years ago. I have to admit, I was skeptical of whether or not this film would succeed. February usually isn't the month where you expect to see summer blockbuster caliber films that rake in over $300 million. I blame Guardians of the Galaxy and Furious 6 for their recent demonstrations that months like April and August, months usually reserved for the films that can't quite make the summer blockbuster grade, are merely grounds for unrivaled success.

DEADPOOL was released on February 12th of this year, the first in a long list of comic book related films in what is sure to be one of the most epic years in super hero cinema. A February release of a genre film is typically a sign of "B" grade quality cinema or a highly niche corner of the market. Then with the film being rated R your audience is limited even further. So, what is one's first thoughts when you see a film released in February seven years later than when it should've been released, a super hero film no less with a rarely seen R rating? Chances are it's going to be crap.

Not this one.

THE PLOT

Wade Wilson is an ex special forces black ops soldier who is now a mercenary with a smart-mouthed attitude and a unique conscience, helping teenage girls get rid of their would-be stalkers. He finds the woman of his dreams and life becomes heaven... that is until the big C. Cancer hits him like a bus and Wade slips away hoping to spare the love of his life from seeing him waste away into nothing.

He is offered a chance to be cured. A secret organization claims it can cure him and make him a super hero. After a resounding "No" and then an all-time low in self-esteem, Wade agrees. What they turn him into is a hideous monster who can't die. He can't go back to his lover looking like a monster. So he goes after this secret group, guns blazing, hoping to persuade them to reverse the process.

THE GOOD

In the age of an over saturated market of super-hero and comic books films, the smart ones are those who reinvent the genre and take it in new directions. Deadpool is a wild and crazy character unlike any other in comic books. He has multiple personalities, breaks the fourth wall, has rated R violent tendencies, and jokes from sun-up to sundown. Already he is something completely different from what's out there. The Marvel Studios films have demonstrated that humor is a sure-fire way to ensure ticket sales with completely unknown characters like Ant-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy making nearly $200 million and over $300 million respectively. They also presented themselves as something other than the typical super-hero film by being an Ocean's Eleven-esque heist film and a Star Wars like adventure film.

If Ferris Bueller was a blood-letting unkillable spandex wearing super-whatsits this would be his movie. It literally goes for an 80's comedy feel mixed in with unabashed violence, sex, and wildly offensive humor. It is a film that only the character of Deadpool could pull off. It is a self-aware film too in that Deadpool believes he's in a movie and makes references to the studio and film budgets as well as the actors involved too. The opening credit roll was even hilarious. How many films can you say that about?

Had this film been PG-13, like some mothers were petitioning it to be, it would've no doubt been relegated as another stinker in the X-Men franchise. The R rating works to the film's advantage rather than detriment offering up a seldom seen experience. My only wish was that the film would've went further.

Watching Deadpool I couldn't help but compare it to films like CRANK and SHOOT EM' UP, films which I really enjoy that travel a seldom trodden path. Deadpool is another addition to this small group of films and most definitely the greatest success among them financially. But among these films I still prefer CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE the best. That in no way is a mark against this film but rather a level to aspire for the sequel.

THE BAD

The movie ignores most everything from the comic books storywise and makes no attempts to repair the damaged continuity and timelines of the X-Men franchise. In reality it only compounds the problems. Despite both of these glaring flaws the filmmakers succeed in capturing the spirit of the character which was in essence the major factor. Deadpool is such a crazy character (his multiple personalities were missing, shame on you Ryan Reynolds) that staying true to the comic origins and plot isn't really vital to the success of his character. Oh yeah, and personally I didn't care much for Colossus's portrayal. It just seemed to wimpy to me. But Nega-Sonic Teenage Warhead was awesome!

THE VERDICT

There are a myriad of characters existing in comic books, so many in fact that if you look hard enough just about everyone can find a character almost tailor-made for them. Let me go on record here and state that Deadpool is not a character I find much of a connection to. Many of my friends (you know who you are 'cough' Bryce and Kelly 'cough') have tried hard to show me why they like the Merc with the Mouth. I've come to the conclusion that he is a fine character, but he's not the right fit for me. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. With that being said I think the Deadpool video game for PS3 is the best encounter with the character that I've had to date.