As a parent, navigating the world of movie ratings can feel like deciphering a secret code. You might remember a time when a PG rating seemed perfectly safe, only to be surprised by content that felt a bit too intense for young eyes. Thinking back, I recall trying to convince my own mother that “Poltergeist,” with its PG rating, was suitable viewing when I was just ten years old. My youthful logic was based on the assumption that anything PG was harmless, and my mom, in her ‘old age’ (over 30!), wouldn’t understand modern movie classifications anyway. My plan backfired spectacularly. While she didn’t allow “Poltergeist,” she did offer “Watcher in the Woods,” also PG, as a compromise. To this day, the name “Nerak” sends chills down my spine, a testament to how misleading ratings can sometimes be.
This memory isn’t just a funny anecdote about childhood naiveté. It highlights a crucial point: not all movies, even with similar ratings, are created equal. This becomes especially relevant when your child, perhaps a Marvel enthusiast, starts lobbying to see “Deadpool 2.” Just because it’s a superhero movie, does that automatically make it kid-friendly? The answer, in the case of “Deadpool 2,” is a resounding no. This isn’t your typical Marvel PG-13 fare. “Deadpool 2” firmly plants itself in the category of hard R-rated movies, earning its rating honestly and for several compelling reasons. Let’s break down why.
Decoding the R Rating: Violence in Deadpool 2
If there’s one thing the “Deadpool” franchise is known for, it’s the over-the-top violence. It’s a defining characteristic that fueled the success of the first movie and is a major draw for the sequel. “Deadpool 2” delivers on this promise, offering a relentless barrage of violent action. Think sword fights, gun battles, knife fights, and superpower clashes – essentially, any imaginable scenario where characters can be harmed or killed is on full display.
Now, you might be thinking, “Superhero movies always have fighting.” And you’d be right. However, the violence in “Deadpool 2” differs significantly from your average PG-13 Marvel film. Where those films often cut away or soften the impact, “Deadpool 2” doesn’t shy away from showing the brutal consequences of these fights. It’s the kind of violence you’d see in a PG-13 movie if the director decided to linger on the hits and not cut away at the last second.
Blood and Gore: Expect the Red Stuff in Deadpool 2
Building on the foundation laid by the first “Deadpool,” the sequel escalates the graphic nature of its violence, often using extreme gore for comedic effect or simply to shock the audience. If you’re squeamish, be warned: “Deadpool 2” features a generous helping of blood, broken bones, and spilled guts.
The filmmakers are clearly aiming for visceral reactions, and they succeed. They consistently find inventive and gruesome ways to depict injury and death. Given Deadpool’s primary superpower – near-immortality – the movie revels in pushing the boundaries of what can be done to his body. Expect a creative and often disturbing array of horrific accidents and battle wounds that Deadpool shrugs off, but that might leave a lasting impression on viewers.
Language: Foul-Mouthed Fun, Not for Young Ears
“Deadpool 2” could easily have secured its R rating on language alone. The dialogue is saturated with profanity, the kind you probably wouldn’t want your children repeating, especially around grandparents. But the language goes beyond just curse words.
The movie is packed with crude jokes, insults, and edgy humor targeting pretty much everyone and everything. No person or group seems to be safe from becoming the punchline at some point. It’s worth noting, however, that despite the pervasive crude language, the film largely avoids language that marginalizes real-world groups, unless you consider mutants with superpowers a marginalized group in our society. The humor is irreverent and often offensive, but generally directed at fictional or exaggerated targets.
Sexuality: A Milder Element, But Still Present
In “Deadpool 2,” the filmmakers appear to have consciously dialed back the explicit sexuality and nudity. While not a central focus, sexuality does surface in certain moments.
There’s a scene with brief, sexually suggestive dialogue, though it’s relatively short and doesn’t escalate into more explicit material. Notably, there’s a scene featuring the naked legs, buttocks, and a fleeting glimpse of computer-generated genitalia of a male child. This scene isn’t presented in a sexual context but is rather played for awkward, uncomfortable humor. While not overtly sexual, it contributes to the film’s overall mature tone and might be unsettling for some viewers.
The Bottom Line: Deadpool 2 is Definitely Not for Kids
“Deadpool 2” is unequivocally designed and intended for an adult audience. It’s a superhero movie that embraces mature themes, graphic violence, and adult humor. Therefore, it’s crucial to be aware of this when your children, drawn in by the superhero label, attempt to argue its suitability.
Ultimately, the decision of what’s appropriate for your children rests with you and your parental judgment. The aim here is to provide a clear understanding of what to expect from “Deadpool 2.” If you decide to see it yourself, or if you somehow lose that argument with your persuasive ten-year-old, you’ll be prepared for the film’s unapologetically R-rated content.
“Deadpool 2” is rated R for strong violence and language throughout, sexual references and brief drug material.
David Clyde, KSL.com
