Deadpool 2 likely won’t be studied and revered in film classes but it should be used as a case study in Marketing a film. From the Celine Dion music video to the DVD display takeovers at Walmart. It’s been brilliant in its gorilla style and on-point with branding a movie that knows it’s a movie.
Case in point, here is the official synopsis from the official website for Deadpool 2:
“After surviving a near-fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Miami's hottest bartender, while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship and flavor — finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World's Best Lover. “
Of course, we all know that’s not what Deadpool 2 is about and I won’t even try to summarize it for you because that synopsis is more fun. That’s the charm of Deadpool 2, it’s not in the action sequences but it’s in the character and charm of Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynold). He’s vulgar, charming, noble and annoying at the same time. Once again Ryan Reynolds plays the part with ease and the movie is filled with humor and in-jokes that point back to the Marvel Universe and once again takes a few shots at Ryan Reynold himself. In one scene, Deadpool refers to Josh Brolin’s Cable as “Thanos” which is a reference to Avengers: Infinity War in which Josh Brolin played Thanos.
It’s that self-awareness in which Deadpool works best with the film working a little better taken in its short sequences than as a two-hour movie. Look for unexpected appearances by other X-Men characters and be ready for the Marvel Universe inside jokes. For the most part, Deadpool 2 is as good as its’ predecessor and sometimes it’s better.
You know what you’re getting into with Deadpool 2.
Also new in theaters this week...
In Book Club, Diane (Diane Keaton) is recently widowed after 40 years of marriage. Vivian (Jane Fonda) enjoys her men with no strings attached. Sharon (Candice Bergen) is still working through a decades-old divorce. Carol's (Mary Steenburgen) marriage is in a slump after 35 years. Four lifelong friends' lives are turned upside down to hilarious ends when their book club tackles the infamous Fifty Shades of Grey. From discovering new romance to rekindling old flames, they inspire each other to make their next chapter the best chapter.
Show Dogs is a family comedy about the unlikely pairing of a human detective (Arnett) and his canine partner (voice of Chris "Ludacris" Bridges), who has to go undercover at the world's most exclusive dog show to solve his biggest case yet.
One of my favorite films of the year, Black Panther is now available on digital, Blu-ray, and DVD. Earlier in the week, I spoke to Winston Duke who played the character M'Baku in that film and in Avengers: Infinity War. We talked about when he knew that Black Panther would be the phenomenon that it is and he broke the Jabari throne room scene. Here is that full interview: