Ryan is a man of many talents. Sexiest Man Alive 2010, Sexiest Dad Alive 2016. The living embodiment of Deadpool. I could go on, but there’s too much to say.
The Good: Deadpool (2016)
Ryan Reynolds IS Deadpool, just without the whole accelerated healing factor. There is absolutely no question about it, and this meta-superhero romp proves it.
It is 108 minutes of pure shits and giggles, and Reynolds’ performance carries it all the way. Whether he’s making off colour quips in costume or not, there is no doubt that he meets the mark, and it’s certainly the most comic-faithful superhero movie I’ve seen in years. He deserves a crisp high-five.
The Bad: Green Lantern (2011)
Back in 2011, Reynolds portrayed the Hal Jordan Green Lantern when it was pretty much forced on to the silver screen in the midst of the ‘superhero boom’ that we still seem to be stuck in.
His ripped physique couldn’t save it though, and I thought his comedic style just did not fit the film. Too much self-deprecating humour which would have been great for his true calling, but didn’t really slide shoulder to shoulder with other superhero heavyweights like Captain America or Thor. Wrong guy for the job.
The Ugly: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
What a nightmare. After begging for a Deadpool film since 2003, Reynolds finally got his wish as a smaller role in a Wolverine spinoff, but he really shouldn’t have bothered.
A few wisecracks and swordplay couldn’t save him from a complete character assassination, in which some bozo at fox thought it would be cool to sew the Merc with a Mouth’s lips shut. It defeated the entire point of the character, and had him prancing around looking like a loon. Probably clumped a few years on to Deadpool’s release date.