PG-13 'Once Upon a Deadpool' meant for fanboys (and Fred Savage faithful) of a certain age
Here’s one way to tell if a movie billed as “family-friendly” actually isn’t: We can’t describe many of its jokes in our publication.
“Once Upon a Deadpool” (in theaters nationwide Wednesday) is the PG-13 re-edit of the critically acclaimed, R-rated “Deadpool 2.” This updated film – which incorporates previously deleted scenes, a new “Princess Bride” storytelling framework and additional post-credit scenes – is really for fanboys over the age of 13, not children. At one point, Deadpool even says right to the camera: "Trust me, we all saw the first movie."
It's also for the Fred Savage faithful.
In "Once Upon a Deadpool," Ryan Reynolds’ title character ties down Savage (playing himself), now a 42-year-old actor and sitcom director. Savage is forced to revisit his famous 1987 "Princess Bride" role as a sweet bedridden boy listening to a story. This conceit works well as a plot device because it allows filmmakers to cut problematic sequences – or, as Deadpool says, to tell the story "through childlike innocence."
This time around, however, Savage isn't a young boy trying to cut off kissing scenes ("I don’t think that’s gross anymore"), but a critical listener who hilariously opines about “lazy writing."
For example, Savage asks: If, after being sliced, Deadpool's top half grows legs, wouldn't his bottom half grow a head and re-enter the plot later?
Deadpool has no response.
The rest of the movie is a retread, albeit with less gore, limited nudity, a bunch of bleeped f-words (and bleeped words that aren't dirty) and also Juggernaut's theme song from “Deadpool 2” that repeats the lyrics “holy s---balls” over and over. All of the main characters are there, along with the same cameos by Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, which, as Deadpool says, were done against their will, just like Savage's movie appearance.
"I like to think of it as 'unsolicited location enhancement,' " Deadpool says.
Some of the new scenes could be tricky to explain to kids. Deadpool is called out for dressing "like a registered sex offender," and the Merc with a Mouth implies at one point that a container of white liquid hand soap is actually, um, body fluid.
Previously: 'Deadpool 2' is out. Please don't take your kids to it like you did the first time around
But for Deadpool fans of a certain age who want to rewatch the still very good “Deadpool 2,” the Savage plot device is a welcome addition. By the end, fans might find themselves tearing up along with the former "Wonder Years" star, who cries and says, “I was caught off guard because the movie is completely garbage."
And just so you aren't caught off guard: True comic fans will definitely need tissues after seeing one of the new post-credit scenes, which we won't spoil here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: PG-13 'Once Upon a Deadpool' meant for fanboys (and Fred Savage faithful) of a certain age
