In the first five minutes of “Deadpool,” the new superhero movie based on the popular Marvel character, the titular hero speaks directly to the audience as he demands answers from the villain who deformed him.

“This is why I wore my red suit,” he cracks, “so the bad guy can’t see me bleed.”

Breaking the fourth wall doesn’t happen in many superhero films, which makes “Deadpool” a unique entry in the superhero universe. It is also makes the film more of a comedy, as Deadpool (played by Ryan Reynolds, formerly the Green Lantern) travels around the city, telling jokes to the audience.

A former Special Forces operative turned mercenary, Wade Wilson undergoes a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers but frees him of cancer. Afterward, he adopts the name “Deadpool,” transforming into a super-cool anti-hero who is seeking revenge on the mad scientist who deformed his appearance.

This hero is simultaneously comical and serious. He tries to get his life back before the experiment, while also trying to find his ex-wife Vanessa, all the while showcasing his zest for cursing.

Director Tim Miller and writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick also tie Deadpool to the X-Men universe, showing the audience the “Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters,” along with various new X-Men. Though “Deadpool” pales in comparison to that franchise, it’s still an excellent addition to the ever-growing Marvel movie universe.

3 out of 4 stars