At the Movies: February 12

This week at the movies: Marvel brings us a sensational new superhero; Derek Zoolander and Hansel return to the big screen as a clueless duo in over their heads (again); and a romantic comedy about a single group of twenty-somethings who bravely take on the New York City dating scene.

Deadpool

Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a former Special Forces operative who now works as a mercenary. His world comes crashing down when the evil Ajax (Ed Skrein) tortures, disfigures and transforms him into Deadpool. The rogue experiment leaves Deadpool with accelerated healing powers and a twisted sense of humor. With help from mutant allies Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) and Colossus (Stefan Kapicic), Deadpool uses his new skills to hunt down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

Perfect For: Fans of the Marvel franchise comic-book films (this one could truly be one of the best Marvel movies yet).

What the Critics Say: Overall, the critics have reacted very positively. The New York Times has dubbed Deadpool a cinematic homerun that’s “genuinely more ambitious than most works of this kind,” raving that the films’ directors “know how to keep the machine oiled and humming.” Cleveland.com also heaps praise on Deadpool, despite its (somewhat inflated) superhero genre: “Deadpool is a typical origin story film jazzed up by fantastic writing and one of the best lead performances in any comic book movie to date. Ryan Reynolds is pure gold in a role he was born to play. Call it the anti Green Lantern.”

Our Take: We are getting tickets ASAP.

Zoolander 2

Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson are back in this satirical sequel as the iconic/moronic male models Derek Zoolander and Hansel. When an evil international plot to kill off the world’s most insanely good-looking celebrities starts to gain momentum, Derek and Hansel join forces to fight what’s behind the mysterious murders. Penélope Cruz is Valentina Valencia, a “global fashion division” special agent who aids Derek and Hansel in their investigation, and an almost unrecognizable Kristen Wiig stars as Alexanya Atoz, the pompous (and hilariously over-dressed) queen of the fashion industry. We also see Benedict Cumberbatch and Kyle Mooney in supporting roles, Will Ferrell as the infamous Mugatu, and an abundance of celebrity cameos including Justin Bieber, Sting, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, and Anna Wintour.

Perfect For: Zoolander zealots (insert Blue Steel face here).

What the Critics Say: Super-duper silly, of course. A.V. Club says: “It’s a bizarre and pointless spectacle, but not an unamusing one… Zoolander 2 is very much a reunion movie… But all of the time that’s passed and warped since the first movie has at least bought [Stiller] the welcome opportunity to get silly again.” The Chicago Tribune also reminds us that this funny film is not to be taken too seriously: “The film can barely unearth itself from underneath the mountain of celebrity cameos out of which it has been crafted… [But] Zoolander 2 is at its best when parodying the esoteric, ephemeral uber-cool denizens of fashion.”

Our Take: The first Zoolander is a classic when it comes to modern comedies, and like with all long-awaited sequels (e.g. Anchorman 2), this one may not add up to be as legendary as the original. But if you love spoofy characters and ditzy humor, Zoolander 2 is worth a trip to the theater.

How to Be Single

After four years of college, young Alice (Dakota Johnson) decides she needs a break from her long-term boyfriend Josh. Excited and ready for new challenges, the eager grad moves to New York to take a job as a paralegal. Helping her navigate her way through an unfamiliar city is Robin (Rebel Wilson), a fun-loving, wild co-worker who enjoys partying and one-night stands. With Robin as her freewheeling guide, Alice can now learn how to get free drinks, meet men and enjoy the single lifestyle. Also starring Leslie Mann, who plays Alice’s older sister, and Alison Brie as Alice’s (boy-crazy) friend.

Perfect For: Millennial women and fans of chick-flicks (no shame here!).

What the Critics Say: Like pretty much all romantic comedies, How to Be Single is – for the most part ­– mellow and endearing. The Chicago Tribune compliments Dakota Johnson, claiming her “easygoing, offhanded charisma has a way of loosening up mediocre material, and keeping it as honest as possible under the circumstances.” Moreover, her scenes with Leslie Mann “really get the job done; they’re funny and charming, and a little bit off-plot, so everybody can relax into them.” The Star Tribune says that, although a bit generic in terms of plot, How to Be Single “inverts some of the standard beats of the romantic comedy enough to give it a not-as-bad-as-you-expected charm derived considerably from its appealing cast.”

Our Take: An easy-to-watch rom-com? Seems like an ideal flick to see this Valentine’s Day weekend.