That Deadpool is the x-rated X-Men movie is its greatest draw and biggest flaw. Lured to the screen by humour and violence at unseen levels, viewers find the same old story but with new spandexed players and a ripped-apart rulebook.

The film is, thankfully, hilarious from titles to post-credits, with thick and fast references to worlds real and mutant, and a levity to counterpoint the darkness. Reynolds clearly relishes the role and his performance is perfectly pitched. His allies and friends make a great team; not so the bad guys, who are bland and boring.

While as funny as promised, Deadpool is not as game-changing as it believes. The resulting film is half-baked but not half bad. 

RATING: 3/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Ryan Reynolds, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand

DIRECTOR: Tim Miller

WRITERS: Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese, Rob Liefeld, Fabian Nicieza

SYNOPSIS: Former Special Forces operative Wade Wilson (Reynolds) is subjected to an experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, leading him to adopt the alter ego Deadpool.

A preview screening of Deadpool was kindly provided by 20th Century Fox and Substance Global.