Deadpool is a quirky asshole of a hero. The PG-13 version of Deadpool that was ruined in the 2009 "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" film is nothing in comparison to the 2016 "Deadpool."
Somehow, straying from the true character that Deadpool should be is what some audiences are wanting. Supposedly, this is so that younger fans can enjoy the film as well. That is where I completely disagree. Here is why I think that "Deadpool" should stay rated R.
To begin with, Deadpool is not a hero that younger audiences should use as a role model, unlike the morally inclined Captain America. Deadpool is, as I stated earlier, an asshole.
If you pick up a Deadpool comic or video game, you will understand why he is not the moralistic hero that people want him to become. In the 2016 "Deadpool" film, Ryan Reynolds redeemed that hideous mistake from 2009. In my mind, if the film-makers tried to make this film PG-13, it would take away everything that is Deadpool, leaving us with Ryan Reynolds in another spandex suit for a few hours. (Does anyone else remember that terrible Green Lantern film?)
Secondly, there was no petition against "Watchmen" to make it PG-13. When "Watchmen" was released in 2009, I will admit that I was not mature enough to see this film. I revisited the film when I knew that I could handle its content.
Why is it so hard for younger audiences to do that with "Deadpool?" It's still going to be a great film in a couple of years. I will even offer you a not so spoiled spoiler: Deadpool will probably have nothing to do with the "Infinity War" films. I don't know this for sure, but I can speculate that the quirky hero will not be present in the midst of Thanos.
Lastly, not every "hero" is meant to be idolized by the younger generations. People have been criticizing "The Suicide Squad" for not being appropriate as well. None of the characters are supposed to be looked at as role models. Deadpool also falls into this category. Let the adults have their adult-themed heroes. By no means am I saying anything bad about the PG-13 rated superhero films, I will see every single one of those films on opening weekend. All that I am suggesting is to leave things as they are and as they should be. Those ratings are there for a reason.
In conclusion, I do not support the petition asking for a PG-13 version of the film. The production of the film has been completed for a while, so I highly doubt that producers would go back and try to fix it for younger audiences within three weeks. If this petition were to be acted upon, it would be like watching a film with curse words on ABC family, where they try to dub different words over the curse words or the sound goes out completely while the actors' mouths still move. You cannot please all audiences and I believe that "Deadpool" needs to remain for the adults.
