There's a reason why "Deadpool" was No. 1 at the box office three weeks in a row.

It's phenomenal filmmaking on multiple levels."Deadpool" takes the comic book superhero formula, puts it in the Mixmaster and tosses it up on the big screen unlike anything you've seen in the genre."Deadpool" breaks all the rules. It's a wild ride of cartoon action violence with a wisecracking sentiment at its center that lets you in on the joke."Deadpool" is to superhero movies what "Scream" (1996) is to horror movies.From the fake opening credits ("Directed by an overpaid tool," it's stated over freeze-frame scenes) to the direct-to-audience commentary by Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) to the creative sendup of what is a formulaic storyline, "Deadpool" is so far one of this year's most entertaining movies.Be forewarned, parents: "Deadpool" is not a superhero film that you will want to see with your preteen. You may not even want your teenager to see "Deadpool," which is rated R, unusual for this type of film, which usually has a PG-13 or PG rating.I could have done without the graphic representations of violence, the hypersexuality of some scenes and the profanity-laced dialogue. That said, this is somewhat the point with "Deadpool": It pushes the boundaries of cinema, especially those of the comic-book superhero genre.Deadpool, aka Wade Winston Wilson, is a Marvel Comics character created by artist-writer Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza, first appearing in "The New Mutants" No. 98 (February 1991). In the 2004 Marvel Comics series, "Cable & Deadpool," Wilson refers to his scar-covered body as "Ryan Reynolds crossed with a Shar-Pei." Reynolds first portrayed Deadpool in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (2009).In the "Deadpool" movie, Wilson is diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He falls in love with Vanessa (Morena Baccarin of TV's "Gotham"). Wilson undergoes an experimental treatment administered by Ajax, aka Francis (Ed Skrein), and Angel Dust (Gina Carano) that seems to cure or stop his cancer, scars his face and body and gives him superpowers, including the ability to heal and lizardlike regrowing of limbs.Deadpool becomes known as "the Merc (as in mercenary) with a Mouth," befriends Weasel (T.J. Miller), teams with Colossus (voiced by Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) to seek revenge on Ajax, and lives off the grid with Blind Al (Leslie Uggams. Yes, that Leslie Uggams.).Tim Miller, in a dazzling big-screen directorial debut, works from a screenplay by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (co-screenwriters, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," 2013; "Zombieland," 2009) based on the characters by Nicieza and Liefeld. The movie's humor extends to a soundtrack of pop hits ("Mister Sandman," The Chordettes; "Calendar Girl," Neil Sedaka; "Angel of the Morning," Juice Newton; "Careless Whisper," George Michael; "You're the Inspiration," Chicago) played for ironic effect."Deadpool" is deadpan parody, with wince-inducing violence and snarky pop-culture references. The dialogue is quippy and quick-witted, with sendups of Marvel films and Ryan Reynolds himself ("You think Ryan Reynolds got this far on a superior acting method?").Well, yes, he did. Reynolds is dead-on, alternately playful and sexy or mean and over-the-top, often in the span of a few seconds."Deadpool" works because it doesn't take itself seriously. Many big-screen adaptations of comic book superheroes are dead serious, too serious. Comic books are supposed to be fun. So are the movie adaptations. "Deadpool" is dead-on fun, alive with entertainment for young adults and fans of the superhero movie genre.Credit Readers Anonymous:Stan Lee, Marvel Comics co-creator, has a cameo as a club deejay. Stay to the very end of the credits to see Ryan Reynolds in a "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986) homage about the "Deadpool" sequel (in production for 2017 release)."Deadpool,"MPAA Rated R (Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian.) for strong violence and language throughout, sexual content and graphic nudity; Genre: Science-Fiction, Action, Adventure, Comedy; Run time: 1 hr., 48 min.; Distributed by 20th Century Fox.Box Office,March 4: "Zootopia" was No. 1 with $73.7 million, biggest Disney animation feature film opening ever, with "London Has Fallen" opening at No. 2 with $21.7 million, dropping "Deadpool" from No. 1 after three weeks to No. 3, with $16.4 million, $311.1 million, four weeks, with "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" opening way back at No. 4 with only $7.6 million;5. "Gods of Egypt," $5 million, $22.8 million, two weeks; 6. "Risen," $3.8 million, $28.6 million, three weeks; 7. "Kung Fu Panda 3," $3.5 million, $133.8 million, six weeks; 8. "The Revenant" got an Oscar (actor, Leonardo DiCaprio; director, Alejandro Gonzélez Iñérritu; cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki) bump, up several notches, with $3.3 million, $175.9 million, 11 weeks; 9. "Eddie the Eagle," $3.1 million, $10.8 million; 10. "The Witch," $2.5 million, $20.9 million, three weeks.Unreel,March 11:"The Young Messiah,"PG-13: Cyrus Nowrasteh directs Sean Bean, David Bradley, Jonathan Bailey and Lee Boardman in the drama about the story of Jesus Christ at age 7 when he and his family return to Nazareth. The story is told from Jesus' childhood perspective."10 Cloverfield Lane,"No MPAA rating: Dan Trachtenberg directs Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr. and Mat Vairo in the science-fiction-thriller about a chemical attack that has made an area uninhabitable."The Brothers Grimsby,"R: Louis Leterrier directs Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Isla Fisher and Penélope Cruz in the comedy about a spy and his problematic brother."Eye in the Sky,"R: Gavin Hood directs Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman and Barkhad Abdi in a drama about a drone operation to capture terrorists in Kenya."Hello, My Name Is Doris,"R: Michael Showalter directs Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs and Wendi McLendon-Covey in the comedy about a 60-something woman attracted to a younger co-worker.Three popcorn boxes out of five popcorn boxes