First of all, don’t be late for “Deadpool.” There are more funny lines and opening credit sight gags in this than most comedies have in their full running time.

It was “directed by some overpaid tool,” it co-stars “a CGI character,” “a moody kid” and “some hot chick.”

And it was written by “the real heroes here.”

And Ryan Reynolds? Self-mocking references to “The Green Lantern” and “sexiest man alive” People Magazine covers (not just his, also his nemesis, Hugh Jackman’s) abound.

Again, this is before the movie gets up and running. And run it does — off at the mouth, and through legions of bad guys and gals — dispatched with extreme violence and nasty one-liners.

Reynolds slays in the role he was born to play, the nasty, anti-social, vengeance-driven mutant who refuses to join the X-Men, led by “McAvoy or Stewart? So confused.”

“Deadpool” is a comic book movie that feels like a comic book — insanely violent (beheadings and impalings aplenty — this is NOT for children), self-mocking in the extreme.

Reynolds is the ex-soldier who’s been a sort of two-bit “Equalizer” until his cancer diagnosis. His one shot at a cure? An underground treatment that will make him a fast-healing, nearly-immortal mutant. Side effect?

He looks “like I got bit by a radioactive Sharpei!”

He wants his revenge on the mutant scientist (Ed Skrein) and henchwoman (Gina Carano) who took away his “Sexiest Man Alive” looks.

A couple of X-Men (not the famous ones) show up. A big fight happens on the ruins of some X-Men/Avengers warcraft.

And the soundtrack wears out more vintage hits than “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which is almost as funny and not remotely as violent as this.

There’s not a lot of heart in all this slaughter and girlfriend (Morena Baccarin) saving, blind roommate ribbing (Leslie Uggams!) and bartender-pal riffing (T.J. Miller). Character motivation goes out the window, making way for funny “types” — the “brooding” teen mutant (Brianna Hildebrand), Megasonic, or the matchstick-chewing brawny bombshel (Chacano).

But it’s good to see Reynolds land something that plays around with his sass and sex appeal, his high-pitched banter and ability to buff up and take (and deliver) a beatdown.

He knew “Deadpool” was his main chance, and this guy gets his “maximum effort” — in fights, in the sack and in every fourth wall (turn to the camera) break.

“Cue the music!”

MPAA Rating: R for strong violence and language throughout, sexual content and graphic nudity
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano, Ed Skrein, Brianna Hildebrand, Karan Soni, Morena Baccarin

Credits: Directed by Tim Miller, script by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. A 20th Century Fox/Marvel Studios release.
Running time: 1:48