Deadpool 2: 8 Lessons It Must Learn From The Original Film

4. Don't Patronise The Women In The Audience

Women like superhero movies just as much as men do. In this day and age, that's not really a point that needs to be debated. Females pile into the theatres to see superhero and comic book flicks in their droves. The genre appeals to both genders. It's a shame, then, that there are a few moments in Deadpool that - though not intentionally or spitefully - are kind of patronising to female audience members. The first moment comes at the beginning of the picture, when Deadpool - breaking the fourth wall to talk to the audience - makes a joke about women in the audiences having been "dragged" to see it by their boyfriends. This is a subtle moment of sexism suggesting that females have to be forced to see superhero movies (totally not true). The second moment occurs during Wade's hook-up with Vanessa, in which she makes a Star Wars reference and Wade - shocked that a woman could display such intricate pop cultural knowledge - says: "It's like I made you in a computer!" And yet the film's approach here feels kind of dated: a woman with Star Wars knowledge doesn't have to be shown as a Manic Pixie OhmyGod moment - there are millions of female Star Wars fans. Ryan Reynolds has spoken out this stuff, claiming the studios don't understand that women like superhero flicks for the same reason that men do: for the action scenes, humour and characters. And yet a couple of rather patronising and non-progressive gags made it into the picture, regardless. C'mon, Deadpool 2: you can be better than that, so show us.