DVD review: Deadpool

Starring Ryan Reynolds as “the merc with the mouth” the film takes us into the life of former Special Forces soldier Wade Wilson who is now living a grimy civilian life taking jobs for money.

When a terminal illness threatens life with his new love he undertakes a dangerous experimental treatment. The brutal experiment leaves the mercenary badly scarred but with accelerated healing powers, so when he is betrayed by his would-be saviours and left in a burning building he manages to survive.

Horribly disfigured, the mercenary puts on a costume and the Deadpool persona, vowing revenge on his erstwhile saviours.

On the face of it Deadpool sounds like a fairly standard slice of superhero action but this is a film with a difference. Foul-mouthed, extremely violent and with no respect to the fourth-wall, Ryan Reynolds’ character is very different to your normal protagonist.

He’s irreverent, unpleasant and characterised by a jet-black sense of humour which comes out in an endless line of quips and one-liners – often accompanied by acts of graphic violence.

It’s a refreshing change to the PG tone of most modern superhero films, even when the character edges into smug territory.

Although a few of the minor X-Men characters pitch up, this film is all about establishing the character of Deadpool and it does so with aplomb.

How much you enjoy the film will rest on what you make of this character.

Deadpool is irreverent, puerile, trashy and extremely violent. It’s also entertaining, often funny and acutely self-aware, sending up superhero films while conforming to many of their conventions.

If you can stomach the violence, and aren’t bothered by political correctness then Deadpool is definitely worth a watch. It will be unlike any other superhero film you see this year.