You are in no short supply for Ryan Reynolds movies, and I, for one, am NOT complaining. With Deadpool and Wolverine coming out at the end of July, I started getting a hankering for watching Ryan Reynolds’ movies in general. I started noticing something while watching all of these movies simultaneously; like with any great actor, there are many different versions of Reynolds we are getting in these films, but there are nods to his specific style in each. Now I’m writing an article about it so I think you know where I’m going with this.
Rye-Rye has been most popular as the titular character of the Deadpool movies. But even before that, he was mostly known for his quick-witted commentary and Adonis-like features. Then there’s the note-worthy performances of his pretty-frighteningly-good-acting prowess in other films that weren’t banking on his perfect comedic timing to carry them. NAILED that thesis statement!
So now it’s been a couple of weeks since I set up this article, and I’ve seen A LOT OF FUCKING REYNOLD’S MOVIES! Most can be seen on some streaming platforms, so I’ll include where you can find them at the time of this writing. Keep in mind I don’t have all the platforms because, yup, still poor.
This paragraph will tell you the rules for the rating system:
My rating system will give you three types of Reynolds aggregations. First, will be how Deadpool he is in his performance. That’ll be shown with this icon 
. This is a measurement of his comedy and witticisms, which is pretty much what put him on the map. Next will be his acting range, shown by this icon
. This will measure the amount of range he has as an actor outside of his funny words cursing. And lastly, but most thirstly, whether or not you see his useless man nipples and cheesegrater abominables using this icon 
. This is how shirtless he gets because I’m sure you want to know.
Finally, this will be a comprehensive collection of his action-based films that focus on huge production values and big action set pieces versus his more reserved or primarily comedy-focused films. These take up the majority of his filmography, so I want to start by going in reverse chronological order. Let me know if you would like me to continue this with his voice acting/family-friendly movies, his specific comedy/horror because there are not many horror ones, and finally, the cherry being his cameos and less-known performances… because I’ve literally seen most of those, too.
Ok, then. Let’s do this!
Most recent to the ever-growing list of recent releases for the actor in question is this lil unknown and recently recented film. If I’m honest, there are a genuinely surprising few moments here where I was fully reminded of the range this man has at his disposal. One of my personal favorites of his.
= 50% (Funny but reserved)
= 90% (That bar scene, man)
= 10% (Just an undershirt, which is probably best with a kid around)
I gotta be honest with ya; this one kinda felt phoned in. I mean, it was fun but pretty damned forgettable. Had to watch it twice to write these crappy sentences you’ll forget about, just like the plot. Ryan was the best part of the whole damn thing.
= 75% (Basically copy and paste without the powers)
= 60% (He was the only thing engaging, but it wasn’t enough)
= ~% (I don’t remember, and I’m not watching it again)
Oh man, this one. Ok, so basically a copy and paste, but unlike Red Notice, this one was in on the joke. Also, it was done in the opposite direction, but the comedy is pretty much the same. Watch it to know what the hell THAT means. Then there’s Dude. And now, there will always be Dude in my heart.
= 75% (But again, it’s done for a reason)
= 85% (So much fun!)
= -10% (Having the shirt on this time is like the whole point)
It’s hard for me to recommend this movie… enough. There is a bit of a tone problem in that it goes from somewhat grounded to about as nuts as Salvador Dali having a fever dream while watching a Robert Rodriguez film marathon, but overall, this is a great time to just forget about your day and laugh at the profanity strewn and hyper-violent bloodbath that is this movie.
= 85% (Perfect comedy action for the DP fans)
= 80% (I love that he is pretty much the polar opposite of DP here)
= 25% (Never shirtless, but looks good in a suit)
It’s a Michael Bay movie. That means I watched it 3 times and couldn’t retain ANY information. I think I enjoyed it a little, but I’m not sure. Reynolds was really funny, but the action didn’t pick up for him until the middle. By then, the entire plot was completely lost on me, but I started liking the cool action and funny moments. That opening was pretty fucking good, though.
= ~50% (I don’t remember)
= ~50% (I seriously don’t remember)
= ~50% (All I remember is everyone looked really wet)
What can I say? Hell, what can YOU say? Ryan Reynolds perfection has officially been obtained in this film. An absolute amalgamation of everything we love from the man himself, finally fully unrestrained after the success of the first. The movie felt more like Ryan Reynolds: The Movie than it did Deadpool 2.
= 125% (Now with MOAR Deadpool)
= *Mobius strip*% (Give this man ALL the awards, please, and thanks)
= *eggplant emoji*% (*Banana and cherries emojis*)
I. Love. This. Movie. Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds have PERFECT chemistry together and pull every one-two punch with every Mothuhfukin joke! Although the second was more fun and even, somehow, more hilarious, I felt that this one was superior with its pacing in action and comedy. I could, and have, watched this movie for a week straight.
= 65% (Even MORE perfect comedy for the DP fanaticals)
= 90% (Boosted with Jackson’s perfect balance)
= 25% (Still looks great in a suit)
The crown jewel. The production that would finally let the world see the talent I had already recognized since High School be fully realized in all his brilliance. Thank you for this cinematic masterpiece, Mr. Reynolds. Thank you with the utmost sincerity.
= 100% (Yes)
= 100% (YES)
= 125% (Because he was literally skinless, and you can’t get much more shirtless)
Ryan does an excellent job in this one, but you’re not going to find much Deadpool here. He is still charming as hell and quick-witted with some literal killer fight moves, but the story demands a more reserved type of character than the other films. Plus, his performance is pretty damn good as a young Gandhi.
= 10% (Maybe a little less, actually)
= 80% (Boy can act)
= 60% (One sexy scene and an undershirt one)
So this one kind of hurt. I absolutely adore all the actors in it, and the concept is fucking awesome. However, it just absolutely tries to do WAY too much with so little going for it. Bridges does surprisingly well as the foil to Ryan’s straight character in a new world, but it’s aggravating, to say the least, in how they approach it all. And it feels like Ryan was being held back, which is NEVER a good thing to do.
= ~20% (And I’m being generous here)
= 60% (I mean, he tried, but it just wasn’t enough)
= 0% (They doubled down and put him in a Bullet-proof vest)
Now, the one you’ve been waiting for. I believe I have an insight as to why this movie is not just considered a colossal failure at the box office but one of Reynolds’ worst-received performances. They didn’t allow him to be Ryan Reynolds! They scripted his quips! They forced him to be calm in scenes he needed to unload and only let him unload in bad scenes, like twice at best! Anyway, the movie sucks, and you should feel bad if you like it.
= *Handcuffs*% (They may take your lines)
= *an ugly dog*% (But they’ll never take)
= *A computer*% (Oh no, wait, they took everything)
Nope. I’m not doing this one. Fuck integrity. Nah-uh. I saw it once before it came out, and that’s enough. I remember the hate. I remember the anger. Ryan was the only good 3 minutes in this piece o-… well I probably shouldn’t call it what I want to, but Holiest of fucking satanic shitstains is it inappropriate in an article about a dude that once said, “cockjuggling thundercunt?”
= *Middle Finger*% (Nope)
= *Oscar*% (Nah-uh)
= *muscular bicep*% (I refuse)
I saw this one when it came out, and I can only remember that I thought it was really cool. I remember being impressed with Ryan, especially because I wasn’t expecting him to be the “straight” character after seeing him in a few comedies by this point. But, truth be spoken, I don’t remember this one well enough to give you a clear perspective.
= 10% (I think)
= 90% (I remember it more than the movie itself)
= 20% (I remember blood stains)
The movie that, I believe, started it all. Before this, Ryan’s best-received movie was Van Wilder. Then he got every one of the muscles and showed how funny he could remain while kicking ass and looking ridiculously shirtless doing it. Watching it now with the knowledge of how much Snipes hated him makes for a really awkward watch, but goddammit, he is just so fucking entertaining.
= 100% (The Genesis of our Deity)
= 70% (Had to act opposite the walking dead, afterall)
= 100% (Thank you. Just… thank you *tear*)
I didn’t even know this existed. Much like Van Wilder which came out the year before, this is a great example of a 90’s action movie (even if it came out in 2003). Not a bad time with some pretty decent subversions but VERY much what you’d expect. Also, the trailer pretty much ruins the experience. Reynold’s was funny, though.
= ~50% (Baby Reynolds just finding his stride)
= ~60% (Not a great script, but I believed his performance)
= 25% (He didn’t have the muskills yet)
Ok, I’m done. I didn’t even put all the movies I watched on here because why would I do that to you!? I didn’t take into account how many hours 20 movies took in total (especially with a full-time job) and now I missed so many others. I need a break.
This, again, was just about his action movies to see how far he’s come and how close to his Deadpool we’ve gotten. Also, how many times he was shirtless, which was way less than I thought initially. Anyway, I’ve been writing this fucking thing for over a month, and now I’m done, so BYE!
Are there any additions you would have added to the scales on rating Ryan Reynolds that I may have missed? Would you be interested in forcing me to watch his entire catalog (which I almost did to do this article) and rate his non-action films in another article? Break that fourth wall, and tell me in the comments.
