A fast, foul-mouthed superhero origin story that works best as a self-aware action-comedy with genuine chemistry and a surprisingly sweet romantic core. The jokes can be relentless and the satire is broad, but the movie’s energy, stunt work, and commitment to its own bit make it an easy crowd-pleaser for the right… Read more
62% ★★★☆☆ (3,825,490)
Deadpool
Where to watch: Disney
Movie · Action · Adventure · R
2016 · 1h 48m · ★ 62% (3.8M)
Feel the love.
Director: Tim Miller
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein
Overview
The origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who, after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.
Director
Tim Miller
Production
20th Century Fox, The Donners' Company, Genre Films, Marvel Entertainment
Cast
Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano, Leslie Uggams, Brianna Hildebrand, Stefan Kapičić, Karan Soni, Randal Reeder, Michael Benyaer, Style Dayne, Kyle Cassie, Taylor Hickson, Ayzee, Naika Toussaint, Isaac C. Singleton, Jr., Justyn Shippelt, Donna Yamamoto, Jed Rees
Where to watch
Disney Plus, fuboTV
Curator Review
Verdict
A fast, foul-mouthed superhero origin story that works best as a self-aware action-comedy with genuine chemistry and a surprisingly sweet romantic core. The jokes can be relentless and the satire is broad, but the movie’s energy, stunt work, and commitment to its own bit make it an easy crowd-pleaser for the right audience.
Best for
Viewers who like irreverent, R-rated comic-book movies
Fans of meta humor and fourth-wall-breaking comedy
People who want action with a romantic subplot that actually matters
Audiences in the mood for a loud, kinetic, joke-heavy crowd movie
Skip if
You dislike nonstop wisecracks and crude humor
You want superhero stories played straight
You’re tired of self-aware genre parody
You prefer action films with a more serious emotional tone
Overview
Deadpool is a rare studio superhero movie that fully commits to being obnoxious on purpose, and that commitment is a big part of the appeal. It turns the origin story into a running joke, then keeps finding new ways to make the violence, romance, and revenge plot feel like part of the same manic performance.
Worth noting
Ryan Reynolds is the engine here, selling the character’s smugness without losing the wounded, bitter streak underneath it. The movie’s best stretch is the way it balances raunchy punchlines with a real love story, giving the chaos something human to orbit around.
Bottom line
Not every joke lands, and the satire can be a little too pleased with itself, but the film’s pace and confidence keep it moving. If you’re in the mood for a superhero movie that wants to be a dirty joke, a splatter action flick, and a rom-com at once, it’s an easy recommendation.
Top Letterboxd reviews
dumbsville (4★) · 9010 likes
You can now officially watch a pegging scene on Disney+.
adambolt (4★) · 4761 likes
funny swearing man says the fuck word
jeaba (3.5★) · 4303 likes
this is the most 2016 movie ever
davidehrlich (1.5★) · 2944 likes
not a parody, just a cheap superhero movie that ceaselessly reminds you it knows how lazy & stupid it is. you can't afford to make a pure superhero subversion, because it has to cost $$ in order to look the part. but Deadpool also had to be super inexpensive in order to finance a hard-R movie about a juvenile 4th-rate superhero with a tangential relationship to the X-Men... so it's like a 7-10 split and the film throws the ball straight… more