Deadpool Movie Review: The Good. The Bad. The 4th Wall!!!
With the recent release of Deadpool in February, Region 99 decided to report on the famed movie. Hoping to look at it from both angles, Deadpool was a great film for those within the comic book community whereas those who don’t read the comic, not so much.
THE BEST OF DEADPOOL: FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE THE DEADPOOL MOVIE AWESOME!
Deadpool is Marvel’s highest grossing rated R anti- hero film and the franchise is just getting started. Director Tim Miller and leading star Ryan Reynolds bring you the best of the best with over hundreds of jokes, references, and interactivity all wrapped up in what is probably the greatest hour and 49 minutes of your life.
Lets take a run down on the five greatest things about Deadpool!
1. Deadpool paves the way for R rated Marvel films.
For so long, super hero films have been rated PG- 13 in an effort to make it family friendly. However, many forget the few that were rated R. While Marvel has been in talks of making other future R-rated films, Deadpool, a not so super hero figure, managed to slither in through the ratings debate to become one of the first and most successful R-rated Marvel films of all time. But, of course, what is Deadpool without people who try so hard to keep his R-Rated mouth sealed tight?
A petition posted by former Marvel writer Grace Randolph, asking 20th Century Fox to make a PG-13 rated version of Deadpool, gained massive attention in January 2016. The purpose of the petition was for the wish of an 8 year-old boy who wanted to watch the film but would not be deemed allowable by his mother if it didn’t receive a rating less than R. Of course, diehard Deadpool fans were not having any of it. Any less of an R-rating for Deadpool would have taken away from the character’s true personality and, ultimately, would have sabotaged the main plot of the film.
According to Forbes.com writer, Scott Mendelson, “Deadpool is the third R-rated movie to cross the $300 million mark at the domestic box office.” Well, it looks like Wade Wilson’s comical antics won out, thus paving the way for potential R-rated Marvel films. That is, however, because of the dedicated Deadpool fans around the world. Finally, we’ve gotten a rated R Marvel film that was actually good...and something that fans wanted. Let us remember the failed attempts of R-rated comic films such as the Punisher and DC’s the Watchmen. After all, there were a whole lot of Marvel films that may have been so much better if they were rated R. R-rated the Incredible Hulk and the Avengers, anyone?
2. Comic book Deadpool = Movie Deadpool
Any Deadpool fan who has read the comic book knows best whether or not the story we see on the big screen successfully adapts to the comics. It’s safe to say that Marvel did well...this time! Shall I recall Deadpool’s appearance in the 2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine? You know, the one where they sealed his mouth shut, basically, killing the Merc with a Mouth? I’m sure 2016 Deadpool would have a lot of things to say about that, especially since he is no disappointment to the comic book Wade Wilson.
A giveaway to the similarities of the comic book and movie is the costume. THE COSTUME IS AWESOMELY REPLICATED! Compared to other costume designs, such as all of the extremely different costumes of the X-Men movie characters versus the comics, Deadpool’s is satisfyingly the same as the original, making it one of the most accurate comic-like costumes for any superhero (or merc) film. From the swords, the feet to the tip of his head, (minds out of the gutter, people!) Deadpool’s costume is the definition of perfection.
(c) 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
From in jokes, to comical references and fourth wall breaks, Ryan Reynolds portrays the Deadpool that is meant to be on the big screen and director Tim Miller agrees. In an interview with People, Miller explained that Reynolds is just like Deadpool. “He’s got a wickedly smart but goofy sense of humor,” Miller says. “He’s self-deprecating and unassuming. He wants to be a hero but is uncomfortable with all the moralizing that goes with it. I imagine that for Ryan, slipping into Deadpool’s persona is like putting on a favorite shirt that’s been worn so many times it feels like a part of you.”
3. Shout out to Ajax Cleaning Detergent and more!
How many jokes and references can you include in a span of a full-length film? Mr. Wilson has no limit. From relations to Wham!, Hello Kitty, Green Lantern, Ajax cleaning detergent and even Ryan Reynolds himself, Deadpool is humorously full of Easter eggs. It’s pretty fun trying to find what relates to another during the film. With over 100 Easter eggs it’s inevitable to miss a few of them, or half, on the first viewing. It is a fun scavenger hunt, however, which creates an interactive opportunity for viewers. I can’t count on one hand how many times I heard someone in the theater turn to the person they were with and say “did you see that?” And more than half of those times were from the person I was with.
Deadpool has hidden gems that are a comedic dig at some of the things that may have failed to be successful in the super hero universe. Some of these digs are verbal and others, you may have to look for yourself. In one scene, there is a small action figure of the terrible version of Deadpool from X-Men Origins: Wolverine. This is shown while hearing Wilson say, “This is my most prized possession.” The great thing is that he is actually referring to a vinyl of Wham!. Oh, thank goodness. In another, we hear Ajax threatening Wilson to sew his mouth shut and Wilson replies with “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I wouldn’t either, Francis.
One of the bigger Easter eggs may have been the no-cameo of Hugh Jackman, who ironically still managed to be in the film. A front cover of People’s Sexiest Man Alive shows a smiling Jackman. This same cover of Jackman is later stapled onto Wilson’s face at the end.
Speaking of Hugh Jackman and X-Men, one of my favorite Easter eggs was probably the reference between James MacAvoy and Patrick Stewart. When Colossus suggests seeing Professor X, Deadpool says, “McAvoy or Stewart? These timelines are confusing!” Yes, yes they are. With only Colossus and “Negasonic Teenage What the Sh*t,” Deadpool mentions that “the studio couldn’t afford any other X-Men,” hinting at the low budget for the film.
4. “A fourth wall break inside a fourth wall break. That’s like, 16 walls.”
Deadpool’s fourth wall breaking is exceptional. All those familiar with the comics cheer in unison during the best fourth wall breakings in the film. One of the greatest fourth wall breakings was right in the opening credits where you will find the names of any contributing actors and producers. However, the names were uniquely labeled such as “Some Douchebag’s film,” “A CGI Character,” and “God’s Perfect Idiot.” It is an awesome fourth wall break and the film is barely beginning. Some of the fourth wall breakings that had everyone laughing hard enough to wet their pants included direct references to Ryan Reynolds himself. In one scene, with great self-absorbance and pity on his “avocado had sex with an older avocado” face, Deadpool asks his elderly roommate Blind Al, “You think Ryan Reynolds got this far on his superior acting method?”
Another great fourth wall break, and inclusive Easter egg, was straight after the end credits. Deadpool creates his own parody wall-breaking scene of Ferris Bueller’s fourth wall break with a similar robe. The scene is a great ending to a thoroughly made Deadpool film and gives viewers a hint at the already highly anticipated sequel.
5. It brings out the Wade Wilson in all of us (not the Wade Wilson in you)!
Now, if you watched the film, you’d be lying if you said that you weren’t in the least bit sarcastic or potty mouthed within the first 10 minutes after leaving the theater. When it comes to sarcasm, one liners, or comebacks, it’s always best to seek Deadpool for advice. If you’re in the middle of an argument with someone, think of Wade Wilson. Are you having relationship trouble and can’t get the girl of your dreams because your cousin has taken her away from you? Then, ask yourself, “WWDPD? What would Deadpool do?” The cheeky one-liners and over the top antics leave you wishing you were just as clever and for a little while, you actually are. This can possibly be a good thing or a bad thing. I, for one, think it’s the best thing to happen. All the best comebacks and jokes come straight after watching this movie.
If you didn’t get a chance to watch the film in a theater near you (shame on you) and want a piece of the greatest things that Deadpool has to offer, be sure to pick up a copy of the movie on Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday, May 10th.
