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Having grossed over $609 million and counting, Deadpool has rocketed to the top of the box office in 2016.
Whilst many believed the film would be a success, it’s doubtful many believed it would do this well. The film has exceeded expectations not only in the box office, but in its story, its cast and in its brilliant adaption from page to screen.
A lot of the buzz around Deadpool’s success has focused on its rating and how that made the film what it was.
Though the r-rating helped, it definitely wasn’t why the film was a hit. Making a comic book film which is r-rated isn’t the formula for success here. There have been plenty of r-rated comic book movies that have done well by themselves years before Deadpool. Take a look at Blade, Kick Ass, Dredd, Watchmen and numerous others which have become popular.
Deadpool’s rating was just its rating. It was needed for the character in question but what made Deadpool a success was that it was something completely new in this genre. They didn’t copy what came before them or look to the previously mentioned r-rated films for any tips, but instead they created a film that was true to this unique character, they took risks in a number of ways, from the writing to the action shots and it was evident throughout that the film was made with a lot of love from the filmmakers.
Ryan Reynolds gives the performance of his career in a film that is very personal to him. After playing a studio hashed version of the character in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Reynolds has been determined to get this film made correctly for some time. Throughout the film, it’s clear to see how much he enjoys the role and it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the red suit.
Standing at an hour and a half long, the film is shorter than most superhero films, most likely down to its smaller budget but it in no way affects the story and direction. The storyline is a simple but effective one; it’s a classic revenge story with a man on a mission at the heart of it.
Whilst the mission, action and one liners are all classic Deadpool, the film included a poignant and surprising love story at its centre, driving the film and the main character to its goal of getting the girl.
And that’s what the film is about; love. After meeting the love of his life, Vanessa, Wade is soon tragically diagnosed with terminal cancer. After a stranger tells him of his ability to cure him, Wade leaves Vanessa to save her the pain of being with him.
But after being succumbed to torture, Wade escapes scarred for life but finds his cancer has been cured and that he now has abilities, turning him into Deadpool.
Deadpool goes on a manhunt for Francis, his torturer through a string of bloody highway fights and run ins with X-Men Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead.
After Vanessa is captured by Francis, Deadpool gears up to win her back and finally get his revenge on Francis or Ajax, to use his villain name.
After an epic final battle, Wade finally reconciles with Vanessa having defeated Ajax, with the help of his two X-Men friends.
The film ends with Wade commenting that “You don’t need to be a superhero to win the girl, the right girl will bring out the superhero in you.” This heart-warming line nicely sums up Wade’s mission and the essence of the film itself; what is a fast, outrageous action film is also a story of Deadpool winning back his girl and getting to be with her again.
This is something rarely seen in superhero films, where mostly the whole world is ending and the hero usually doesn’t get the girl. Deadpool showed that a hero doesn’t have to save the whole of Earth just to be a hero. He or she can simply confront those who have caused themselves and their loved ones pain and still come out a winner.
Deadpool’s success is down to the love of the filmmakers in ensuring the film was its own thing and not a rehash of other r-rated comic book films. It took risks, stayed completely true to the character and overall, it was refreshingly original.