2016 saw the superhero genre teetering on the edge of saturation. Marvel Studios unveiled its colossal crossover event, Captain America: Civil War, while DC attempted to bolster its own cinematic universe with Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, featuring a host of lesser-known characters. While a thrilling time for superhero enthusiasts, the genre risked becoming inaccessible to casual viewers, drowning in niche references and convoluted storylines. Enter Deadpool, a refreshing change of pace with its unapologetically raunchy humour and fourth-wall-breaking antics. Yet, Deadpool's true brilliance lay not solely in its R-rated jokes, but in its ability to tell a captivating romantic story.
Deadpool, despite its irreverent tone, possessed a surprising depth of sincerity. Wade Wilson, left for dead by his cancer diagnosis, felt utterly hopeless, convinced he had nothing left to offer the world. The sole glimmer of hope in his bleak existence came from Vanessa, his girlfriend, portrayed with remarkable grace by Morena Baccarin. Their relationship, established early on, served as the driving force behind Wade's quest for vengeance against the villainous Ajax (Ed Skrein).
Deadpool's romantic storyline proved essential in showcasing the titular character's genuine empathy. While Deadpool's constant self-aware quips and cynical jabs at other superhero films were undeniably entertaining, they could have quickly devolved into tedious repetition without a compelling narrative arc. Deadpool, essentially immortal, required a shift in stakes towards emotional territory. It wasn't just about saving Vanessa's life, but about proving his worth, demonstrating that he could be the hero worthy of her love. Interestingly, Ryan Reynolds's background in romantic comedies like Chaos Theory and Definitely, Maybe arguably played a more significant role in shaping his Deadpool performance than anything from X-Men Origins: Wolverine or the much-maligned Green Lantern.
Deadpool's handling of its romantic subplot set it apart from other superhero movies. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, often criticized for its lack of passionate scenes, frequently struggled with its romantic subplots. The awkward dynamic between Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) in Avengers: Age of Ultron barely even registered. In contrast, Deadpool's pursuit of Vanessa, despite his chaotic nature, felt genuine and consistent. Despite his relentless quips and brutal takedowns of villains, his dedication to Vanessa remained unwavering.
Furthermore, Deadpool benefited from substantial screen time dedicated to its female character, adding an extra layer of depth to the eventual action-packed sequences. Early scenes showcased their shared love for dark humour and each other's bodies, culminating in a hilarious montage set to "Calendar Girl", a scene overflowing with decidedly R-rated content that the MCU would have shied away from. While female love interests in superhero films often feel inconsequential, Baccarin's portrayal exuded a strong sense of agency, further enriching the narrative.
Unfortunately, Deadpool 2 strayed from this winning formula, ultimately losing its emotional resonance. The sequel made the fatal mistake of killing off Vanessa early in the story, forcing Wade to assemble a new "X-Force" team comprising Cable (Josh Brolin), Domino (Zazie Beetz), and Peter (Rob Delaney). While the "found family" concept was intriguing, the film lacked the genuine sincerity that had set its predecessor apart.
Deadpool 2 received significant backlash for "fridging" Vanessa, using her death as a catalyst for Wade's new mission. This trope was later satirized in Once Upon A Deadpool, a PG-13 re-release of the film featuring Fred Savage, where Wade and the writers were called out for their mishandling of Vanessa.
Regrettably, Vanessa's presence in Deadpool & Wolverine is limited, relegating her to a supporting role overshadowed by cameos from other Marvel characters. While the nostalgic appeal of seeing previous iterations of beloved heroes might satisfy some fans, the original Deadpool successfully intertwined a sincere romance with its self-aware humor. Vanessa was instrumental in establishing Deadpool as the hero the Marvel universe needed, and it's high time she received the recognition she deserved.
Deadpool is currently streaming on Disney+ in the United States.
