The recent release of highly anticipated Marvel film “Deadpool,” affectionately known as the “Merc with a Mouth,” has been rocking the comic book fandom world.
Many parents, clueless about this Marvel character so beloved by comic-loving adults, were baffled when they took their young children to see the movie and discovered that it was a film filled with violence, sex, nudity, constant breaking of the fourth wall, profanity and endless content worthy of the movie’s R-rating.
But why was “Deadpool” done this way? Why was it given an R-rating?
Wade Wilson, Deadpool’s alter ego, said it himself at the beginning of the movie: “I am not a hero.”
Wilson is setting a disclaimer for people under the impression that they’re watching a typical superhero movie.
Deadpool is not a superhero. As described by creators Rob Liefield and Fabian Nicieza, Deadpool is actually an antihero. Through an unfortunate set of circumstances after finding out that he has terminal cancer, Deadpool ends up horribly disfigured with a set of crazy super powers that make him impossible to kill.
Deadpool is a mercenary who does whatever the heck he wants, whenever the heck he wants and kills people for the highest pay. It just so happens that he conveniently considers himself a good guy, which is reflected in the comics.
For many people, “Marvel” equals “comic books” equals “superheroes” equals “for children.” But who is to say that comic books are specifically for children?
What people don’t seem to understand is that the Deadpool comics were created specifically for adults.
The original intention of comic books were for kids, sure, but Deadpool breaks the norm by being a comic that appeals to those with wit, crude humor and an interest in a character who talks to the readers.
The comics are actually so “adult” that Marvel had to sell the rights to Fox to make the movie. Because although Deadpool technically belongs to Marvel, Marvel belongs to Disney and the kid-friendly business has declined to make an R-rated movie. So, to get the quality of the character right, Fox made the movie instead.
Deadpool was advertised as having an R-rating for over a year, and even the trailer revealed its R-rating.
Yet people complained about not having a warning for how mature the film was.
Ultimately, the biggest problem is that people don’t know who Deadpool is.
To put it simply, he’s a vulgar, swearing, witty, crude but hilarious murderer who is constantly aware that he is a character in a comic and movie.
If that doesn’t sound like a fun character to you, then maybe you shouldn’t watch the Deadpool movie—or take young children to see it.
Consider yourself warned.