Irreverent, insufferable antihero in ‘Deadpool’

BRIANNA Hildebrand and Ryan Reynolds in the film reboot of the Marvel mercenary.

Marvel’s comic book movie adaptation for adults brings to the big screen the trigger-happy Deadpool, the “Merc With a Mouth,” a character that debuted in the Hugh Jackman-starrer, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” in 2009—but back then, the live-action version of the gabby killer was, perplexingly, missing a mouth!

Reprising the role is Ryan Reynolds, who is given another chance to play a more comics-inspired Deadpool/Wade Wilson this time, and after his turn as the titular DC hero in “Green Lantern,” which received lukewarm reception in 2011.

In the Tim Miller-directed “Deadpool,” Reynolds breathes life into the insufferable, fourth wall-breaking toughie Wade, who falls in love with the feisty Vanessa (Morena Baccarin).

He finds out, deep into the relationship, that he has cancer, but Wade is offered a cure by a shady organization that mercilessly experiments with patients, intent on giving them superpowers.

His torturer, the British villain Ajax (Ed Skrein), heals but disfigures him—and ruins his chance at reuniting with Vanessa.

The thing with Deadpool is he’s overly irreverent and quippy—he’s the reverse-Spider-Man, if you will, talking about insane and inappropriate thoughts while fighting, or just narrating the story. You’ll love him or loathe him.

Comic book fans will enjoy the fact that “Deadpool” gets the unrepentant assassin right. The film has nudity, sex scenes, swear words, gory shots, etc. Stuff that never got into the published stories feel apt here, giving those looking for a breather from traditional superhero flicks a well-deserved, cathartic break.

The film has some enjoyable appearances by a few X-Men, too—only two, a budget decision that he openly mocks!

Despite a fake-looking Colossus and predictable confrontations, the stunt sequences are competently executed. And, Deadpool is consistently and inescapably zany, making it much easier to forgive the film’s flaws!