I am not a Marvel expert. I don't read comic books. I won't pretend to know the classic intricacies of each character, their quirks, the way they were brought to life on the page before they hit the big screen. Even if I did, I would not accept “Well, that's just how it is in the comics,” as an excuse for what "Deadpool" was. "Deadpool" was trash. Disgusting, tasteless, offensive. Trash.
With no knowledge of plot or characters, I, along with thousands of other people, and my mom, rushed to the IMAX last weekend to go see the new superhero movie, "Deadpool." I expected the usual; a standard action movie full of fight scenes and explosives. But as the opening credits ran, and those around me laughed hysterically at such quips as, “Produced by Asshats” and “Directed by An Overpaid Tool,” I realized that "Deadpool" was something else entirely. Within the first five minutes, I counted seven dick jokes. The word “fuck” was slung around lazily, and masturbation-related one-liners littered the dialogue.
Now, for those who haven't seen it, (and I don't recommend this movie to anyone with a moral compass) the spoiler-free premise revolves around a white guy, a sort of “lovable” anti-hero, who is seeking revenge on a man who tortured him and obliterated his good looks, making it impossible for him to return to his perfect girlfriend.
I know this movie wasn't made for me. It was painfully clear that the target demographic was 35-year-old men who never grew out of their frat boy phase. This movie was not made for anyone who respects victims of abuse, or for anyone who sees women as more than stereotypical caricatures.
"Deadpool" eagerly jabs at the feminist movement, taking aim at everyone from strong women to teenage girls. A running gag throughout the film, male characters are perplexed about whether or not they should hit a woman. “Is it offensive to not hit you? It's a fine line." Good one.
While there are several women given feature roles in the movie, they are silly archetypes. We are first introduced to Deadpool's ideal woman, Vanessa. When they first meet, they joke about child molestation to an audience of thunderous laughter. Mid-sex scene he deems her perfect, proclaiming, "It's like I made you in a computer!" He reduces her to an object for his sexual consumption, his creation.
Angel Dust, Ajax's evil henchwoman, is referred to as a "less angry Rosie O'Donnell." Deadpool takes a direct aim at strong, out-spoken women here, ridiculing both his fictional opponent and Rosie simultaneously. Through Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Deadpool also tackles teenage girls, portraying her as vapid, indifferent, and image-obsessed.
From all angles, "Deadpool" fails women. It presents this idea that unless you are catering to the male gaze by being consistently beautiful and DTF, you are an also-ran. You cannot be both powerful and likable, you cannot be both green and intelligent.
It is because of this that "Deadpool's" success in the theaters worries me. When lazy, phallocentric scripts achieve so much, why would any producer or writer feel the need to create new character tropes? Where is the evidence that a strong leading woman will perform as well at the box office? When films like "Deadpool" perform well, Hollywood will greedily seek to replicate it, and movies with depth, or intelligence, or at least some sort of historical significance will take a back seat. It is difficult to demand more diverse representation while continuing to support a movie pandering to 15-year-old boys.
On the ride home from the movie theater last weekend, as I was ranting about the broader implications of the film, my mom said, "I'm proud of you, but it's over." But it's not over. I'm mad that my thirty dollars supported this crappy movie. I'm mad that there are people out there who genuinely liked it. "Deadpool" will no doubt go on to destroy the quality of movie content we are given in the future. Frankly, I'm disappointed with the low standards we have accepted as movie-goers and as women.
As the movie fades to black and the credits roll down the screen, it can be easy to forget that movies have an affect on our lives. We may brush off a movie like "Deadpool" as just another mediocre comedy. But when we fail to hold conversations about our dissatisfaction, producers will continue churning out sub-par features and our opinions won't matter. Our voices will be silenced amid a sea of dick jokes that fail to satisfy.
