Despite my son being 18 years old, he still likes to go to movies with his dad. Or maybe he likes when his dad pays for him to go to the movies. And buys him the Texas-sized bucket of popcorn and a soda pop that he could swim in. This time I bought tickets and the aforementioned snacks for he and his girlfriend. And it was so worth it. Don’t worry, there’s no spoilers here.
It’s perfectly appropriate for me to do a Deadpool review on Valentine’s Day because it’s a love story. Yes, Deadpool is a superhero movie, kind of. If you enjoyed the Batman, Spider-man and other comic based superhero franchise movies that took themselves waaaay too seriously over the last twenty years, then buckle up buttercup because this isn’t that kind of movie. I kind of like that last line I wrote. I think Deadpool would like it too, except he would probably say, “Then buckle the f–k up buttercup because this isn’t that kind of movie.” And he’d look into the camera and say it to you.
In the past Ryan Reynolds has been panned for his abundance of good looks but dearth of acting ability. In Deadpool he has found his acting sweet spot. He plays a down-on-his-luck, snarky, sarcastic, irreverent, foul-mouthed “superhero.” And he plays it brilliantly. I have to give credit where credit is due, and that goes to the writers of Deadpool, and to Stan Lee, who allows his comic book franchise to grab pop culture by the balls and announce his presence. Deadpool’s, not Stan’s. (Make sure to keep your eyes open for Stan Lee’s usual cameo as he does in all Marvel comic based movies)
Deadpool has been a cult/underground sensation since the launch of his comic book in 1997, but after this film brings his character into the mainstream his popularity will reach Spider-Man/Batman heights, at least at the box office. In dollars, the movie had the biggest opening of any R rated movie ever.
Unlike superhero movies of the last twenty years, Deadpool has an R rating and it earned it. There’s language and jokes that would make Quentin Tarantino blush, and speaking of Quentin, I think he’d love this movie. There’s lots of killing and lots of blood. There’s also some nudity, but it is of course very artistic and integral to the plot. So yes, Deadpool may be a superhero, but he’s not your father’s superhero.
For you parents who might consider going, the humor isn’t just crude jokes. There’s plenty of clever pop-culture references to the 80’s and 90’s that you’ll appreciate. There was a few so relevant to previous decades that I didn’t think my 18 year old would get them. Also, DO NOT leave as soon as the credits start rolling, and DO NOT leave when the first initial set of credits are done. Wait until the end of all the credits. Trust me. And trust me on this: if you go in skeptical you’ll come out laughing.
Have a great Valentine’s Day! ~Phil
