by Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 5 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence and language throughout, sexual content and graphic nudity
Released in Theaters: Feb. 12, 2016
Best for Ages: 17+
Genre: Comedy, Action Adventure, Superhero
Runtime: 108 minutes
Directed by: Tim Miller
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Gina Carano, T.J. Miller

MOVIE SYNOPSIS: Ryan Reynolds plays a former Special Forces operative turned mercenary who's subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, causing him to adopt the alter ego Deadpool.

MOVIE REVIEW: I love superhero movies, but rarely do they get 5 out of 5 reels from me. Especially superhero movies that are raunchy and completely inappropriate at every turn, like "Deadpool."

But "Deadpool" breaks the mold of the cliche superhero movies. In a word, it's amazing. But not for kids! There's not one second of this movie that's appropriate for kids, so be sure and check out my "parent details" for more info.

The story follows Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds, who is perfect in the role), a former special forces soldier who hires himself out as a private mercenary. An "equalizer" who does things like threaten young stalkers for a living.

Wade is a ladies' man if ever there was one, but then he falls for Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), a prostitute with a heart of gold who rivals Wade in the "snappy banter" department.

Things are going along swimmingly in the relationship until Wade is diagnosed with incurable metastatic cancer. With nowhere to go but up, he agrees to a mysterious visitor's offer for a chance at survival. Wade ends up being experimented on and tortured until his body mutates and heals itself. (There's an X-Men connection here.)

But his experimenter, a feel-nothing guy named Ajax (Ed Skrein), doesn't take kindly to Wade's wicked sarcasm and caustic wit. So Ajax turns up the torture until Wade's skin is burned and disfigured beyond repair.

Wade eventually escapes and dons a costume and mask, reinventing himself as "Deadpool," a masked anti-hero who vows to find Ajax and seek vengeance on his tormenter. But Wade is too insecure to approach Vanessa, so he watches her from afar.

Ryan Reynolds was born to play this foul-mouthed yet charming no-holds-barred character. The witty catch-phrases roll off his tongue with wild abandon, and he just throws everything out there and lets it fall wherever. He just does not care, and it's liberating not only for him, but also for moviegoers. Don't be surprised if you find yourself going, "Wait, did he just 'go there'?" And yet, you love him for it.

Reynolds not only has great comedic timing, but he's also super handsome with a mad athletic skills and a rockin' bod. Likewise, Morena Baccarin as his tough love interest and T.J. Miller as his sidekick arms dealer Weasel are perfectly cast. Her "Deadpool" character will make you see Baccarin in a different way from her "Firefly" and "Homeland" roles.  

"Deadpool" is a fast-paced, funny, and entertaining origin story that breaks the fourth (and fifth, in some cases) walls, as Reynolds talks to the audience and winks at the superhero genre.

As mentioned, this movie is definitely not for kids because of the sex scenes, nudity (including Reynolds' man-parts), innuendo and rampant profanity throughout. So, parents, do not be fooled by the fact that this is a Marvel movie. We're not talking "Iron Man" or "Captain America" here.

Leave the kids home, but be sure and check out "Deadpool." As with every Marvel movie, stay through the end credits.

PARENT OVERVIEW: Deadpool's R rating is on target. The movie features lots of graphic violence, sex scenes, nudity, grownup humor and profanity throughout. Unlike most Marvel films, "Deadpool" is raunchy and bloody, with f-bombs at every turn. The violence includes intense torture, decapitation, dismemberment, brutal fighting and more. Ryan Reynolds fights naked in one scene, and moviegoers see glimpses of his butt and genitals.

PARENT DETAILS (May Contain Spoilers):

Violence/Gore: Strong graphic violence includes rampant gunfire, brains oozing from heads, decapitations, torture, bloody gore, explosions and brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Sex/Nudity: Wade and Vanessa (who's a prostitute) flirt, kiss, and engage in foreplay and sex, where her bare breasts and his butt are shown. A strip club scene shows women's breasts and provocative dancing. Wade fights naked in one scene. His butt is visible, and moviegoers see quick glimpses of his genitals.

Profanity: Frequent strong language includes "f--k," "motherf--ker," "s--t," "a--hole," "ass," "bitch," "p---y," "d--k," "douche" and "c--k," as well as mashed-up insults like "s--t show," "d--k t-ts," "douche pool," and "c--k whistle."

Drugs/Alcohol: Adults smoke cigarettes, drink socially and get drunk.

JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM:

One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.
Two Reels – Coulda been a contender
Three Reels – Something to talk about.
Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Jane Boursaw is the film critic and editor-in-chief of Reel Life With Jane. Contact her at jboursaw@charter.net. Images in this review used courtesy of the studio and distributor.