Deadpool (2016)

Directed by Tim Miller
Written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, based on characters by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller and Ed Skrein

Quite understandably the most hyped up movie of any February since "The Passion of the Christ", "Deadpool" once seemed like the on superhero movie that would never be made. A character that revels in the macabre and a well placed dick joke seemed like a sure bust to a industry that kills creativity just to make the sacred PG-13 cut.

But Ryan Reynolds wasn't having it. While I'm sure he'd still deny it (unless he has already admitted and I'm just misinformed), we all know he released that animated footage on the internet. And fan girls and boys squealed at the very notion that there was someone who was even thinking about making a movie.

Cut to February 12th, 2016, and it's finally here.

Ladies….

This movie was exactly as I thought it'd be. Snarky, yet hilarious comments from the films protagonist, mixed with fourth-wall breaks and unforgiving violence. It delivered fully on all fronts and did not disappoint. 

However, despite that R-rating, it still felt produced by Disney. It's hard to explain, but even through it's unique qualities that made it stand out from the rest of the Marvel Universe, it seemed just as formulaic and flat.

Before y'all go and bite my head off, I liked it. I liked it quite a bit. But if I never see it again, I won't be disappointed. It didn't feel as though it would offer anything more from the loyalty of a repeat viewer. And even through the refreshing dialogue from the lovable asshole that is Wade Wilson, I felt as though I had seen it before in all of the other Marvel movies.

Yeah, Yeah… I know, Mr. Pool

This of course is of no fault to the movie or it's filmmakers. I just have lost all interest in Superhero movies since the second Incredible Hulk movie. They all seem the same to me and really don't provide me with any worthwhile entertainment. For the 90+ minutes, I remain entertained and locked on the screen. But when I walk away, nothing has changed for me. 

Granted, that's how I feel with most popular movies. I just feel the overall hype around superhero films drains me of any energy that could go into loving them more.

All that being said, go see "Deadpool". I know most of you are more normal than I am and will love it. I'll just join the old people in the next screening of "Macbeth".

What the hell is wrong with me?

My Rating: 6/10

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Written and Directed by Joss Whedon
Based on the Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and James Spader

When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and it's up to the Avengers to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans.

There's a saying that an action movie is only as good as it's villain. That is even more true for Superhero movies. And as much as I wanted Ultron to be amazing (primarily because James Spader's voice is awesome), Tony Stark's accident was not that great.

The initial awe and astonishment that was created by seeing some of the best superheroes join forces in the first Avengers has faded revealing the sequel to be just like every other Marvel movie. All of the action sequences were just like the first. Buildings got destroyed, near misses were had, one-liners were said and Iron Man flew around analyzing the situation.

The movies disregard for even most basic of physics made for more eye-roll moments than they did jaw-dropping action. I understand you need to suspend disbelief for movies like this, but to what extent?

This movie wasn't bad. It just didn't stand out among the countless other superhero movies out there. There was nothing special about it. Same movie, different year. But hey, it's gonna make a billion dollars so the studio won't care.

My Rating: 6/10