Superhero movies of recency have been following a similar pattern. It starts with the familiar origin story of the hero and then the introduction of a villain that usually only arises because of the hero. And then the ending sets up for a sequel or a crossover.

“Deadpool,” starring Ryan Reynolds as the anti-hero, takes a much different path, hence the R-rating. Wade Wilson is an ex Special Forces operative turned mercenary who is diagnosed with terminal cancer and desperately seeks help from a medicinal experimentation group that specializes in mutations. The mutation methods are tortuous and although he gains accelerated healing powers he is left with a mutilated and hideous face. As a result, Wilson goes on a hunt of revenge for the evil doctor that made his face ugly.

“Deadpool” is one of the first R-rated superhero movies for its language, crude humor, gore, and sexual content. This is not the typical superhero movie, largely because Wilson is not a superhero. He doesn’t save people unless he cares about them and he takes pleasure in murder.

The plot of his movie is simple but that isn’t what pushes the movie forward. It is the very well done character and his snide remarks. There are a handful of juvenile remarks in the movie but they are easy to get past after the fantastic opening, which features over the top stylized violence with “Angel of the Morning” blasting in the background.

The film is also unique in its nonlinear storytelling and self awareness due to Wilson’s ability to break the fourth wall. No other superhero movie has opened with the central conflict, returned to a brief origin story, and then continued to do so back and forth.

It is new and exciting for the superhero genre and has inspired next year’s wolverine movie, and Hugh Jackman’s last, to be rated R. The motivations for these storytelling techniques stem from Wilson’s motivations which are absurd and hilarious and surprisingly understandable after being exposed to all of his sass.

The movie had potential to be more clever and unique but the producers are probably saving that for the inevitable sequels. Regardless, “Deadpool” is a must-see in the superhero genre and one of the most entertaining and unique out of the recent bombardment of superhero movies.