Warning: this article contains more spoilers than the kid on the school bus who told you Dumbledore dies before you read the book. It also contains a lot of swear words and general tomfoolery.
Deadpool has already blown box office records — most notably, the highest grossing preview night in February by an R-rated movie, and predicted highest grossing opening weekend in February by an R-rated movie. This is a good sign for all Deadpool lovers, as it could very well mean we will be getting sequels! But enough with statistics, records, and numbers mumbo jumbo. Let’s get to the good stuff! Here are 15 Reasons Why Deadpool is the Superhero Movie We’ve Been Waiting for:
1. Deadpool doesn't even consider himself a superhero.
Multiple times throughout the movie, Deadpool himself states that he is not a superhero. He is not even a hero. Though Colossus continually tries to convince Deadpool to join the X-Men, and often waxes poetic about what it means to be a hero and a good guy, Deadpool often does the opposite of what a traditional hero would do. He revels in his role as a not-quite-hero-but-not-anti-hero. He is just like us — if we were all mutants who refuse to shut up in the face of danger.
2. The fourth wall is completely shattered.
From the very start of the movie Deadpool shows no regard for the fourth wall. He is completely aware that he is a fictional character, and even asks the questions on all of our minds: “Whose balls did I have to fondle to get myself a movie?” In another scene, a character breaks the fourth wall during a scene which already broke the fourth wall, prompting a quick aside about whether that constituted as breaking sixteen walls.
3. The villain’s name is Francis. What name could be less intimidating?
First of all, Francis is not an intimidating name, and Deadpool’s use of Francis, rather than his adopted name, Ajax, irks the villain so much throughout the film that most of his lines consist of the question: “What’s my name?” To make things worse, the name Ajax is a reference to two different characters in Homer’s "Iliad" and neither end up with happy endings. One kills himself and the other rapes a woman and is killed by a goddess. Why would anyone want to name themselves after such characters? Though I suppose anything is better than Francis.
4. It is not for kids!
Sure, not all superhero movies are for kids but "Deadpool" is an R-rated movie for a reason. Between dropping more f-bombs than America has dropped real bombs this year (give or take a couple), the endless dick jokes, all the sexual innuendos, the sex scenes, the purposeful dismemberment, the prostitution, the naked breasts in a strip club and other deliciously lascivious details; "Deadpool" fully deserves its rating. I am sure I am not the only one who appreciates a superhero movie specifically tailored for adult viewers.
5. Speaking of dick jokes... there were a lot!
From movie posters to the final script, Ryan Reynold’s character was full of references, jokes and statements about dicks. Not even 10 minutes could go by without some sort of penis joke. It’s a good thing some of the other humor was a bit more sophisticated because otherwise the movie could have been a bit much to digest… if you know what I mean.
6. The opening and ending credits were hysterical.
The opening credits of the film not only included a fantastic crotch shot or two, but they also accurately listed the stars of the film: the moody teenager, the British villain, an entirely CGI character which is God’s perfect idiot. Not only that, but the credits say the movie was “some douchebag’s film”, directed by “an overpaid tool”, and that the writers are the real heroes of the movie. The ending credits feature Deadpool riding on a unicorn -- a unicorn who shoots rainbows out of its single corn! And just when we thought Deadpool couldn’t get any gayer…
7. Deadpool is pansexual.
Deadpool’s pansexuality, though not explicitly mentioned or discussed, is certainly explored throughout the movie. He mentions fondling Wolverine’s balls, masturbating to men, kissing a young man on the nose after threatening his life and Deadpool generally flirts with the male characters quite frequently — if not more so — than the female characters, though his partner in the film is a woman. Ryan Reynolds has stated that he supports the idea of Deadpool having a boyfriend in future films.
8. The movie is entirely self-aware.
The script hilariously bashes its own licensing issues like only having two X-Men characters. It also reflects on the long period of time it took for a Deadpool movie to exist and the struggle it was to make. Deadpool constantly says exactly what the audience is thinking and the opening credits are almost too honest.
9. Deadpool actually has a sad dramatic backstory.
The man behind the mask, Wade, develops terminal cancer and has to leave the love of his life, Vanessa, to spare her emotional trauma. He then signs up to be mutated into superhero in order to cure his cancer. Only then does he discover that he has to be tortured to make him mutate and that he will not be turning into a hero but a slave. On top of that he loses his stunning good looks. Poor guy.
10. Deadpool isn't a pompous ass because he is rich -- he is just a pompous ass.
Unlike some superheroes who live in mansions, live lavish lives and have expendable income to build and rebuild high-tech gear, Deadpool does not. He lives in a tiny apartment with a blind, black woman named Blind Al. He does his laundry at a coin laundry mat. The most expensive thing he does in the movie is buy everyone in a bar a round of drinks. His assholic nature is not born from money, the way many other superhero’s attitudes are; Deadpool is a jerk simply because that’s the way he is.
11. The moody teenage girl partially saves the day.
Negasonic Teenage Warhead who Deadpool admits has the best name ever, is undoubtedly one of the greatest characters in the film. She is not only super self-aware of her existence as a female teenager but she is unafraid of playing with the big boys. One of her fiery blasts even turns the climax scene around in our hero’s favor. This is one step forward for superhero movies, and one giant leap for teenage girls everywhere.
12. The romantic lead is no damsel in distress.
Vanessa may be the main character’s love interest but she does not spend the whole movie crying over lost love. Okay so she spends a lot of the movie crying over lost love but she also participates in witty banter, stands up for herself and puts creepy guys in their place when they sexually harass her, and ultimately sticks a sword straight through the villain’s chest. Plus who wouldn’t be upset about the supposed love of their life pretending to have died from cancer but really becoming a mutant super hero who stalked her for a bit, but never feeling the need to reveal himself until after you get kidnapped by the super villain and only then discovering he is still alive??
13. The insults are savage.
Let the pictures speak for themselves.
14. The musical score is gloriously confusing.
The soundtrack includes a song called “Deadpool Rap” written by a fan group, “Angel of the Morning” by Juice Newton, and “Careless Whisper” by WHAM!. The soundtrack is incredibly disjointed and random, yet ultimately perfect for the movie.
15. Ryan Reynolds. Must I go on?
Possibly the biggest triumph about "Deadpool" is the hilariously endearing and morally questionable lead character. Ryan Reynolds undoubtedly brings the multi-faceted character to life with skill, sarcasm, relentless innuendo, a bit of jackassery, and somehow, a genuine warmth and care beneath the layers of bite. Plus he spends a fair bit of the film almost naked and I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t appreciate that.
Bonus: dat butt.
You're welcome.
