Deadpool is not your average superhero film

Kenison Garratt
Editor-in-Chief and A&E Editor

            One of Marvel’s most anticipated films, Deadpool, was finally released. This movie, which many are referring to as Marvel’s first successful “hard R” rated motion picture, remained at the top of box offices for its first two weeks in theaters. In fact, it has had the biggest box office debut and could possibly break the top grossing record for an R-rated film. But the records do not stop there. In Russia, Deadpool broke the record for the biggest opening weekend. “It’s insolent yet earnest, flashily inventive and brazenly aggressive, joining seemingly boundless male-adolescent bravado with primal fears and a nearly pious dream of higher purpose,” details one New Yorker review.

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      Well, it is definitely flashy. This fourth wall breaking film follows the journey of Wade Wilson’s (Ryan Reynolds) transition into the notorious Deadpool. After learning that he has terminal cancer, Wilson subjects himself to mutant testing. The experiments result in his body being able to heal itself from any injury and fight off all illnesses. The main bulk of the story follows Deadpool in his search for revenge, as well as his lost love (Morena Baccarin), from whom he has become disconnected.
      This unconventional “superhero” film is packed with crude jokes, mature content, and a good amount of action. While the ironic and racy main character is a controversial one, the film is still entertaining for the regular viewer or comic book fanatic, if that audience member is prepared for some violent, disturbing moments and explicit scenes.
      This graphic Marvel film, with its sarcastic and vulgar anti-hero, is definitely causing an uproar. While many take pleasure in the darker humor, others are not receiving it quite as well.  In India, viewers are arguing against the censorship of more adult scenes and language, one citizen even going as far as creating a petition to have the full uncut film shown. They are being reviewed rather differently in different countries, at least by nations which have seen it. In Japan, fans are patiently awaiting the June scheduled release, which is months behind other Asian countries.
      No matter the location, it seems everyone is eager to see the full film. It is possible that Reynolds’s many creative ways of promoting the movie are catching people’s eye. Reynolds has taken to multiple talk shows, in his full Deadpool costume, and performed humorous short skits with the hosts of the shows. Reynolds has also been tweeting quite a bit about his new film, proving his fans’ thoughts about him being the perfect fit to play this character. Other actors have even joined in. Betty White released a clip of herself describing Deadpool as the best movie of the year with quite a few expletives.
      ​While calling it the best movie of the year could be a bit of stretch for some, it is definitely a movie worth seeing. The Marvel universe jokes, guest star superheroes, and clever, although often vulgar, dialogue make this film extremely different from any other Marvel superhero film. Yet Deadpool is still strikingly similar to the others in that it is very well done.