[The_Return]

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

You know what? To hell with the critics. This was damn near perfect: easily on par with the first two X-Men flicks.

Yes, it takes a few liberties. No, it doesn't stick 100% to the established origin....so what? It made for a few twists and surprises other than being exactly what I expected.

The pace is breakneck, the characters are well portrayed (Yes, even Deadpool - I'll get to him shortly) and the action scenes are some of the best I've seen in quite awhile. I can already see this as one my #1 movie of the summer...everything a blockbuster should be.

Now, on the Deadpool front: *SPOILERS GALORE*

I'll be the first to admit that I've been worried right from the start that they would screw him up. No mask = no Deadpool, really.

I was otherwise impressed with him at first: they had the smartass attitude down perfectly. I usually can't stand Ryan Reynolds, but this is the part he's born for: an arrogant, cocky smartass. He nailed the part during the raid scene - despite the lack of mask and scars, I was completely impressed. Only thing that really bugged me was that we never really got to see him again.

Now, when he showed up again as Weapon XI...obviously I was a bit pissed at first. Like Cheeb said: he's the merc with the mouth for crying out loud. Taking that away from his is just the writer giving a big ol' up yours to fans of the character. Still, lets be objective here: that fight scene was badass (until the optic blasts: I'll admit, that was a bit lame). Then when they killed him off, I figured they'd lost all chance of redemption.

But wait! After the credits?! Ah-ha! Here's where it all makes sense! They weren't doing a lazy, half-formed version of the character: they were revamping his goddamn origin story!! Sure, they changed a few details, but lets look at it for sec: at this point he's obviously invulnerable, he's breaking the 4th wall, he's scarred and ugly as sin and - most importantly - his mouth is, as it should be, open for business. The nailed half of his character in the opening raid, and now they've got it all set up for the rest of him. The only reason I'd be pissed with their take on Deadpool is if they don't follow through with it. And considering his spinoff is already greenlit and Reynolds is signed on - I think we should be all. Fucking. Set.

I left the theatre bouncing off the walls and wanting more - especially more Deadpool.