NOT Just Another Superhero Movie for the Family
Deadpool Advertisements
Marvel did it again with another fantastic reboot of a beloved anti-hero for the masses, but these masses do not include kids.
Why is it not? Isn’t Marvel owned by Disney?
Well, for starters the movie is rated R for a reason. And yes, it is owned by Disney. But to be fair, Into the Woods (2014) did not have profanity in it, but the theme of adultery running throughout has little to be desired in the viewing pleasure of children. Let us not forget about the telling of the true endings of these fairy tales instead of ones we tell our kids. We get “the ugly stepsisters cut their feet to please the Prince” and “the ugly stepsisters also had their eyes poked out in the end by the birds because that will happen if you tell lies…”
The advertisements looked fine…
Let's dive into those advertisements shall we. This is what I really wanted to get into. Disclaimer: This article is not really going to be about how it is not for children. This will be about its intended target market, passionate comic-universe-loving adults.
I will start off with the commercials, then some of the poster art. To follow up a bit of my own critic (you probably got a taste in the beginning also).
Commercials
Here is one.
Besides being another Marvel superhero who listens on a slightly outdated personal portable music devices, Deadpool already comes across as no PG in a couple ways that better suit a mature audience. With the illusions to self-gratification and crude witty humor appeals well with an adult audience, but not well to a child audience off the bat.
And this is the PG trailer. There are NSFW (Not Safe For Work) trailers as well. Should I link one? Yes.
In around 30 seconds of this other released trailer on YouTube, you get one profanity (the one that makes this movie rated R), a crotch shot, and an ass shot. Take your pick on why this is not a kids movie, but a rather funny date night movie with a significant other. This movie throws in a romance and an attractive male lead (or well, attractive in real life, and about 30 minutes of the beginning of the movie), this movie will satisfy the women audience. For the male audience, crude humor and killer violent actions scenes drive moviegoers to see this movie.
What I found interesting in the trailers was some video footage was dubbed over with different audio depending on the intended audience of the trailer. This shows the demassification of trailers even within a franchise.
Movie Posters
The first poster is not bad all. This is probably to one you see on the street when you pass by the movie theater on your way to the comic book store.
Due to Miller v. California (1973) court decision, advertisements shown to the public need to be very careful how and what they advertise. They need to go through the Three-Prong Standard set from the case.
The Three-Prong Standard is three ideas that the advertisement must not break, or it is not allowed for publications. It is as follows:
- applying contemporary community standards to the work, as a whole, appealing to prurient interest,
- whether the work depicts or describes sexual conduct or excretory functions, defined by state law,
- whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
While this one probably satisfies the Three-Prongs Standard, the connotation of “load” on the top of the poster alludes to some excretion and sexual behavior. It does not however show it actually happening so it passes!
p.s. The gun is positioned in a cheeky way (no pun intended). Like the Deadpool movie in the whole Marvel universe, it is pushing what it is to be socially acceptable.
My Critique
I am excited to see this movie soon. Being of age to watch this movie, I’m the intended target market for this movie. The quick-witted humor relates very well to me. I also love the photography and films styles of actions scenes. Besides being a huge Marvel fan, I am find Ryan Reynolds hilarious and Tim Miller’s directing style intrigues me. An article I found interesting on the idea of Deadpool as a Marvel/Disney movie, follow the link below.
I am excited to see the raunchy side of Marvel. I expect nothing less from Ryan Reynolds. Comment down below for your film reviews and favorite parts of the movie.
