Cert 15
105 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody violence, strong language, sex references
The hype surrounding Deadpool had me high on anticipation as Mrs W and I took our seats for the early IMAX screening at Nottingham Cineworld on Sunday.
The unusually humorous opening credits only served to add to the expectancy but, sadly, I have to report that Tim Miller's movie left us disappointed.
Sure, it is sharply written and Ryan Reynolds is suitably brash and self-mocking but I couldn't help thinking that the same gag was being told over and over.
This is where age might be relevant. When we returned home, Miss W's fella said how much he had loved Deadpool. He is 22.
And that is probably why the profanity-strewn gags, topless women and endless shootings appealed to him more than me. I am nearly 53,
Deadpool is more Viz than Marvel. Don't try to smuggle in kids who are X-Men fans because you will need to cover their ears and eyes.
I would think the film might resonate with many with lads, aged between 16 and 30 but that doesn't explain why a 26-year-old lass at my work's office is planning to see it for a second time.
Perhaps, she is taken with Reynolds whose quipping is as fast as his gun-work (no double entendre intended).
Reynolds plays Wade Wilson, a mercenary who is offered a cure for aggressive cancer but along with his new-found indestructibility comes a price - a terribly scarred face and body which he covers up in a Spiderman-like costume.
The movie flicks between his past when he was ensconced in a torrid love affair with a beautiful girlfriend (Morena Baccarin) and the present when he is seeking revenge on stereotypical British villain (Ed Skrein) who gave him the face of a monster.
Throughout there are parodies of moments from the Marvel pictures and other movies (Skrein's character is called Francis - probably a link to his 'Frank' role in Transporter Refueled).
But the more it tries to please, the less I wanted to laugh,
Deadpool wasn't bad and it certainly made others in the audience giggle. It just wasn't as compelling, funny or memorable as I thought it would be.
Reasons to watch: Sharp-writing, stunning effects
Reasons to avoid: Not as funny as it thinks it is.
Laughs: one plus two chuckles
Jumps: none
Vomit: yes
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 6.5/10
Star tweet
chris pratt Believe the hype people! #Deadpool is as good as they come! Great job @VancityReynolds and @nottjmiller Badass, twisted, dark, funny & fun!