Movie Review - Once Upon a Deadpool

Once Upon a Deadpool **** (out of 5) (PG-13) Before Deadpool became such a huge success as a superhero flick that spoofed itself and its entire universe of comics and characters, Ryan Reynolds was a hunky actor of questionable merit, whose best lines defined his abs, rather than his dialog. Now he’s drawing almost as much media attention as our Tweeter-in-Chief, without raising anyone’s anxiety levels. How much can one worry about a mock twitter feud between Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, both as their Marvel characters (DP and Wolverine, respectively) and as themselves? No one’s trying to build a $5 billion wall to separate them.

That’s why this toned-down version of the R-rated Deadpool 2 is opening in theaters, rather than as a DVD release. It’s the same movie we enjoyed at the beginning of 2018 (also reviewed for this Patch site), with some of the gory bits trimmed, and the naughtiest words bleeped or replaced to squeeze into a PG-13. True to the franchise’s self-satirical heartbeat, the cleansing is done with tongue-in-cheek playfulness, especially in its wraparound gilding of this lily.

For potential newcomers, in the first film, Reynolds was a low level freelance enforcer, who denied whatever goodness was still lurking inside. Just as he found true love with Morena Baccarin, he learned that he had terminal cancer. That led him to trying a Hail Mary of experimental treatment, which turned him into a disfigured mutant whose powers included healing from any wound, no matter how severe or even fatal it would otherwise be. The solid action flick was lavishly infused with more laughs than most comedies even dream of, making Deadpool an international sensation.

Those who’ve seen the trailers expect the Princess Bride lampoon of having DP read the story to Fred Savage in the same room and Bears jersey from thirty years ago with Peter Falk. The cutaway bits with the grownup Savage add far more value to the proceedings than hoped for. He not only spoofs that charming role from his childhood, but spreads another layer of self-deprecation over the Deadpool 2 story he’s being force-fed.

The stated reason for this reprise is allowing young superhero buffs who aren’t cool or daring enough to sneak into an R-rated opus (like I was at that age, alas) the chance to see DP 2 on a big screen. Mission Accomplished. Older fans who saw the original won’t miss any of the deletions, and should find the additions funny enough for a net gain. As a bonus, the tribute to Stan Lee after the interminable credits is something all Marvel Universe denizens will appreciate. (12/12/18)