Deadpool & Wolverine toned Deadpool down for Disney, and it shows

As a longtime fan of the X-Men comics, I must admit I was quite excited to see Deadpool and Wolverine finally share the screen together. However, after watching Deadpool & Wolverine, I can’t help but feel a tad disappointed. It’s like comparing a spicy jalapeño popper to a bland cucumber slice – both are technically edible, but one delivers a satisfying punch of flavor that leaves you craving more.

Deadpool, who made his debut in 1990, can be classified as a millennial given his origin, but his sarcastic, self-reflective, and rebellious humor echoes the spirit of Generation X. Interestingly, the first film in the Deadpool series, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” was developed under Disney’s family-oriented guidelines. However, the director and writers, being members of Generation X, aimed to preserve some of the edgy, unconventional elements that were characteristic of the earlier films.

As a die-hard fan, I must say that the cinematic duo of Deadpool and Wolverine doesn’t shy away from jokes that might make Walt Disney raise an eyebrow or two. In the film’s initial trailer, Deadpool (played brilliantly by Ryan Reynolds) humorously remarks, “I’ve tried pegging before, pal, but it seems Disney is about to give it a go.” The subtle wink towards the camera after that joke hinted at the character’s unwavering spirit, suggesting that he would maintain his unique charm even under Disney’s management.

[Ed. note: Spoilers for a lot of specific gags from the whole Deadpool trilogy follow.]

The movie sets a bold and controversial tone from the start, as Deadpool brutally slaughters Time Variance Authority henchmen using pieces of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) from “Logan,” even defiling Wolverine’s grave in the process. This scene symbolically spoils the poignant ending of that film. However, Deadpool claims he feels no sense of accomplishment about these actions. Yet, it appears Ryan Reynolds, David Leitch, and the other writers are quite pleased with the movie’s daring content.

One significant factor that makes Deadpool so appealing as a movie series, character, and brand is its ability to challenge conventions, suggesting nothing is off-limits. In contrast to today’s comic book films which can sometimes be overly serious, Deadpool’s unique humor offers a delightful change of pace. The 2016 release of Deadpool could be seen as an undercover filmmaking rebellion within the realm of massive franchises, with Reynolds releasing a test reel online to pressure Fox into producing the movie and using his own salary to bring the writers on set.

In their banter, Deadpool and Wolverine often raise eyebrows with jokes that touch on sensitive topics, some of which are connected to the actors’ real-life experiences. For instance, they reference the marriage and subsequent divorce of Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, who co-starred in the 2003 film “Daredevil”. There’s also a nod to the on-set disputes between Wesley Snipes and Ryan Reynolds during the production of “Blade: Trinity”. Deadpool even makes a witty comment about Hugh Jackman’s physical transformation post his recent divorce, hinting at the screen.

In the enchanting realm of the movies themselves, I found myself astonished as Chris Evans stepped away from his heroic Captain America persona within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Instead, he transformed into a potty-mouthed iteration of his Human Torch character, originally seen in Tim Story’s 2005 Fantastic Four and its sequel. This reinvention of Johnny Storm experienced a harrowing ordeal at the hands of the villain Cassandra Nova (portrayed by Emma Corrin), who mercilessly stripped him of his skin. Later, in a flashback, he unleashed a torrent of profanity to describe her – quite unlike how Marvel fans are accustomed to seeing Evans.

In this scenario, there are a few light-hearted jabs aimed at Marvel Studios as a whole. Deadpool, upon introducing his new companion to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, acknowledges the current situation with a humorous, “You’re joining us at something of a low point.” Later, during a confrontation against an army of counterparts led by Lady Deadpool (Blake Lively), Deadpool interrupts the action to express dissatisfaction with the franchise’s direction post Avengers: Endgame. These jokes are more general compared to those targeting his co-stars, but they aim to appear even bolder – an actor voicing criticism towards the studio that consistently provides him opportunities.

The intriguing jokes that Deadpool and Wolverine didn’t share in their films are equally captivating, given the contrasting priorities of Disney compared to Fox, the original producers. Historically, Disney has cultivated a family-oriented brand, only releasing its first PG-13 movie (“Pirates of the Caribbean” in 2003). Internal discussions revolved around whether to include mature content on their streaming platform, Disney+. Given Disney’s focus and Deadpool’s character, there was bound to be some friction between the two entities.

Reynolds acknowledged that the R rating represented a significant advancement for the company. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige swiftly reassured viewers that the upcoming film starring Deadpool and Wolverine is “the most charming, family-friendly R-rated movie.” Reynolds himself has mentioned his intention to allow his 9-year-old child to watch the film. It’s worth noting that although Wolverine uses profanity reminiscent of a sailor in this film, the intensity of violence is less compared to the preceding two movies.

In a humorous twist, the opening credits of the first two Deadpool movies didn’t list the key creatives by name. Instead, they jokingly referred to the directors as “an overpaid tool” and “one of the guys who killed the dog in John Wick.” The main cast was described as “God’s perfect idiot,” alongside a CGI character, and “a gratuitous cameo.” The films were reportedly filmed by Blind Al and written by “the real heroes.”

As a longtime fan of superhero movies and someone who appreciates a good dose of humor in my films, I can’t help but feel that the creatives behind this project have truly outdone themselves. The jokes they weave into their work show a refreshing lack of pretentiousness, and it’s always a delight to see them poke fun at themselves.

In a different wording: It’s strange to include that unexpected move, considering that one recurring complaint about the MCU lately is the tight control Feige has over the productions. As Nia DaCosta, director of The Marvels, expressed to Vanity Fair, any director must accept that “some of your vision will take a back seat” because “it’s a Kevin Feige production, it belongs to him.” If Feige had been open to renouncing credit on the sole Marvel Studios film this year in exchange for a continuity-consistent joke, that could have helped address this issue.

In a surprising twist, the straightforward credits in this context appear quite peculiar, considering Feige’s readiness to incorporate jokes poking fun at himself in the Disney Plus series “She-Hulk”. This is intriguing because K.E.V.I.N., the AI overseeing the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), was given permission to don Feige’s signature baseball cap, a nod to the producer. However, compared to this more playful approach, “Deadpool & Wolverine” seems to tread carefully around its new corporate owner, Disney. The writers of these projects seem hesitant to make light of the actual MCU – the only timeline or setting that holds significant importance for Marvel stories. With the exception of a few gentle jabs at “Endgame” and Disney’s discomfort with adult or off-color content, the writers appear reluctant to satirize the MCU itself.

In “Deadpool 2”, the character known as Deadpool is invited to join the X-Men by his longtime friend Colossus (portrayed by Stefan Kapičić). Throughout much of the movie, Deadpool makes fun of the team. Surprised that no actors from previous X-Men films appear for cameos, he expresses disappointment, saying something like “I would have expected a small gesture from the studio.” Referring to decorations in Professor Xavier’s mansion, he jokes that he should have brought his safety alarm. Later, he describes the team as an outdated symbol of racial issues from the 1960s.

In contrast to the scenario between Deadpool and Wolverine, where Deadpool ventures into what Loki’s Disney Plus series calls “the Sacred Timeline” (the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s part of the multiverse) to propose joining the Avengers, this encounter is presented with reverence. The scene features intimate shots of iconic items and the music of Alan Silvestri echoes in the backdrop. Deadpool takes jabs at Happy Hogan, Iron Man’s comic relief sidekick (played by Jon Favreau), but the heroes are portrayed with admiration and respect. Deadpool appears awestruck, while the Avengers, even when not present, are celebrated.

It’s equally evident that there are boundaries set for the collaboration between Deadpool and Wolverine that were not applicable to either Deadpool or Deadpool 2, particularly concerning adult content like sex and drug references. The latest movie features numerous cocaine mentions in a humorous context, hinting at Disney’s prohibition on such references. In contrast, Deadpool & Wolverine includes a joke about pegging being something new for Disney, but it pales in comparison to the explicit sex montage featuring Deadpool from the original film.

Deadpool and Wolverine showcases swagger and witty remarks that challenge conventions, yet falls short compared to the original Deadpool films in terms of boundary-pushing humor. This movie leans more on hints and telling rather than showing or reenacting, often referring back to past edgier jokes instead of creating new ones. Moreover, it’s not just the humor that seems lacking: The film is filled with profanity and gore, but it lacks the sexual content found in many other Marvel movies. There are a few gay-themed jokes, emphasizing the homoerotic aspect of their fights, but there’s no romantic moment between Deadpool and his wife Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), despite their estrangement.

Though Deadpool 2 may have its flaws, it openly portrays Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) and her girlfriend Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna) as a couple, whereas Deadpool & Wolverine only shows them in each other’s company at a respectful distance. Unlike the latter, where Wolverine discusses his tragic past of losing the X-Men to racists without showing the brutality of such an event, Deadpool 2 powerfully illustrates the harsh realities of conversion therapy.

While Deadpool and Wolverine are known for their crude and offensive humor, they also show signs of being cautious and lacking bite in certain aspects. This time around, it appears the filmmakers are encountering stricter boundaries and off-limits topics, causing them to resort to superficial shock value rather than authentic rebellion. The movie doesn’t dare to make anyone genuinely uncomfortable – not even the latest franchise owner. Given Deadpool’s reputation as a Gen X hero, it seems his sellout was bound to happen eventually.

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2024-08-09 18:19