Please note – Selected comments/notes have been reused from my Deadpool 2 Review.
Deadpool, aka Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), returns along with his witty, random and (not to mention) crude sense of humour. This time, Deadpool will protect a young mutant boy from an unknown time traveller going by the name of “Cable” (played by Josh Brolin).
If you’re a fan of the 1st instalment, then you will have a complete understanding of what to expect in this film. Thankfully, the sequel changes it up a fair bit and keeps the series fresh and entertaining. The film’s plot, jokes and new characters, including the introduction of X-Force, are elements that add to the success and excitement of Deadpool 2/Once Upon A Deadpool. The film also manages to bring back countless familiar faces from the previous movie.
If you’re expecting a whole new Deadpool film with Once Upon A Deadpool, you’re in for a huge shock. Once Upon A Deadpool is simply the same story and film but this time with way less gore, less foul language and an additional cameo from actor Fred Savage.
Once Upon A Deadpool has managed to achieve an M rating, now making it somewhat more appropriate for a younger audience. One example of this newer rating is when Deadpool shoots or stabs terrible guys with his swords, there is zero blood, blood splats or blood sprays. As for the addition of Fred Savage (best known for his work in the 80s hit The Princess Bride), Deadpool has him strapped to a bed, forcing him to hear about the fantastic tale that is Deadpool 2. The film cuts back and forth as the two make sly comments, new jokes and jabs, including many references to Disney and Marvel films.
While Deadpool 2/Once Upon A Deadpool is loaded with jokes, I’m surprised to announce the sequel manages to deliver more heart than the previous film. There are key moments where I thought to myself ‘the actor Ryan Reynolds is delivering a pretty solid performance’. It can also feel like this performance is more from the heart as he’s not hiding behind the mask. As for the jokes, since this is a new toned-down version of Deadpool 2, naturally there is a sacrifice as some of the best jokes are now either missing or wholly changed and lack the same chemistry as we saw in the MA15+ version. Once Upon A Deadpool is still positive in its humour and die-hard fans of Deadpool will more than likely be happy to watch this again just hear the new lines or check the added scenes alone. For me, I was naturally curious as to how the looks from an editing perspective due to the M rating and I wanted to know if our film still makes sense with selected elements now taken away. Thankfully most of the action sequences are still impressive.
Overall, Once Upon A Deadpool is fun, brainless and creative. The new version provides the same tale we all saw last year but manages to introduce new jokes and altered scenes to achieve an M rating. Being a Deadpool fan, I was more than happy to rewatch the film as I was rather curious to see what is now missing or added. While the experience is still positive, there is less here in regards to plot and witty humour. I guess that this is the price you pay for altering a fun film into an M rated film.
6.8/10
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Review Written by Peter Walkden
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