Deadpool

The film has been out for a little over two years and I finally got around to watching it. I don’t know what kept me from watching it sooner. Originally, I wanted to see it in theaters, but I moved to LA the weekend it came out and didn’t really know anyone to see it with. Then I bought it on blu ray when I was in San Diego in July of last year, and just never was in the mood to watch it.

I’d heard nothing but great things about it and I can’t say I was disappointed. It was a fantastic film. I loved the humor and though some critics felt it was formulaic, I felt it was a refreshing take on the superhero genre.

The thing that made me want to watch the film the most was a Tumblr post praising the film for having Deadpool’s love interest be a sex worker who wasn’t a damsel in distress. Though I’d have to argue the damsel in distress bit, as though she attempts to fend for herself, Deadpool still needs to save her, I wish it were more implied that she remained an escort upon starting her relationship with Deadpool, as I thought that was a really cool aspect of Vanessa. Also, the moment I saw her with long hair, I instantly thought of Inara from Firefly/Serenity and it was the same actress, which made me very happy. One reason being that Inara was a companion, which is a fancy term for sex worker, and it was considered a very high status line of work.

Ryan Reynolds is perfect as Deadpool. I can’t even try to think of someone else I could see playing the character and he’s such a beautiful man. I think I’ve had a crush on him since Blade Trinity, in fact, I don’t think, I know (I also developed a crush on Jessica Biel in that film, they were fucking ripped!) Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are the perfect couple in my eyes, I envy them both.

Normally, I’m not a fan of breaking the fourth wall, but I’m aware Deadpool is known for this and I found it hilarious that the writers poked fun at the X-Men universe, and even Reynolds himself.

I watched Deadpool and Logan this evening, keeping with the Marvel theme. In hindsight, I wish I’d stopped after Deadpool as Logan had a more somber tone and I don’t think I appreciated it as much after the lightheartedness of Deadpool. I did appreciate that both films included young mutant female characters who weren’t sexualized and I’m very excited to see Deadpool 2 and am hoping for a X-23 spinoff.

The Punisher

This weekend, I actually stayed in, for once, and managed to finish watching The Punisher. I’m not sure what took me so long to finally start it or why I didn’t finish it sooner, as I loved it. If not for my love of Daredevil and Elektra, I would say The Punisher is my favorite Netflix/Marvel show… but alas, it is my second favorite.

I don’t know if it is a Virgo in me or what, but I am really drawn to a tough guy who is also sensitive. When I would post that I was watching I kept referring to Frank Castle as Daddy Frank and Billy Russo as Zaddy Billy. In the end, I found myself drawn more to Zaddy Billy (as far as attraction), though I think it may be because he reminded me of a guy I had a crush on once upon a time…

Back to the review, I really enjoyed the vulnerability of both characters. The juxtaposition of them being these ruthless killers made to the moments when they were emotional and/or lighthearted just pulled me in. I felt like tearing up any moment Frank let his guard down, especially the moments he had with Karen. There was SO much tension and I can’t wait until season two (and Daredevil season three) to see what happens next.

Before Daredevil season two, I didn’t know much about The Punisher. I knew his background and I knew there was a film that didn’t do well. I like him for similar reasons that I like Elektra, they are killers and you don’t really know if they are good or bad (I suppose it depends on who you ask). I consider them both to be tragic heroes, and that is probably way I’m drawn more to Billy than Frank. Frank is to Daredevil as Billy is to Elektra (minus the romantic/sexual relationship).

I also loved Dinah. She was such a bad ass and I loved that she was relentless in achieving her goal. Her relationship with Billy also reminded me of the Daredevil/Elektra relationship. I don’t want to give away spoilers for anyone who may be reading this who hasn’t watched, but I’ll just saw both know more about the other than they let on. And even though Billy is this pretty boy, and one would expect him to be some type of player, he would open up to Dinah and show this strange emotional side that I found charming.

The one thing I didn’t like about the show, which is a bit nitpicky on my part, was the fucking kids. So, early in the series, Frank teams up with a guy named Microchip, much like himself, the world thinks Microchip is dead. This was an excellent pairing, as it gave some comedic elements and, it warmed me to Frank to see him bond with someone. But Microchip’s fucking kids, his son in particular were annoying as fuck.

Since his family doesn’t know he is alive, he spies on them, and from time to time has Frank go check on them. His annoying ass son is rude and angry, and towards the end of the season, he and Frank have this really touching moment where he reveals the reason he is such a little bastard… only for him to go right back to being a little bastard shortly after, which results in him putting his entire family in danger. It reminded me a bit of Gabe’s annoying ass from The Walking Dead: A New Frontier.

Other than that, and a few times when the gore was a bit much for my taste, I thoroughly enjoyed the season. I’m hoping Elektra returns in a future season of one of these Netflix shows (also, I love that she is the focal point of the thumbnail for The Defenders), as I’m curious how she would interact with Frank. Better yet, if there is another season of The Defenders, can we exchange Iron Fist with him?

And before I forget, I really enjoyed the commentary on veterans thorough the season. It is not unknown that veterans return from war and don’t know what to do with themselves for a number of reasons, such as PTSD, or not being able to find a decent job. The support group scenes were excellent and showed lots of different sides of the coin, some coping well and some not coping at all. There were certain storylines I didn’t expect to develop, i.e. Lewis, but then I was surprised that his story didn’t climax with Frank’s, Dinah’s and Billy’s, but, again, small nitpicky thing. If you haven’t watched it and are a fan of the other Netflix shows, I don’t know what you’re waiting for.

Defenders

I powered through Iron Fist so I could watch Defenders and have it make sense. I’m glad I did, as a lot of what happened in Defenders picked up where Iron Fist left off. Again, I’ll try to avoid spoilers, but this is all stream of conscious, so, there may be some.

First of all, I commend the writers, as I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to blend these four different heroes, all with their own shows that had their own styles. I thought it was done really well.

Second, ELEKTRA!!!! I was very excited for her return. Those who know me know she is my favorite Daredevil character, favorite Marvel character, favorite comic book character, hell, she is one of my favorite fictional characters. I loved the homage to her original costume. I also really enjoyed the Jill Valentine tease (Resident Evil 5) they did with her… and I’m already searching for a black trenchcoat with red lining.

It was interesting to see the characters interact with one another. Up until this point, Claire was the only one (I believe) that knew them all. It felt a little exposition-y at times, them explaining powers and all, (and maybe I just felt a certain way as I had just watched Iron Fist and did not need/want to hear him tell his damn story again) but I was able to live with it.

This is likely my bias, but I felt Elektra stole the show. I couldn’t help but compare her to Harld Meachum. Had she lost part of her soul upon resurrection as he had? I also felt a bit of Illyria tease with her as well. She was a vessel, a weapon. Black Sky was now inhabiting Elektra’s body, much like Illyria infected and took over Fred’s in Angel. I felt so bad for Matt when he realizes she was brought back to life and his efforts to get her to remember him were endearing.

I also really enjoyed her kicking Iron Fist’s ass multiple times.

Some people had issues with the pacing, but I felt it moved well, especially considering it was only eight episodes. It brought the characters together and got them fighting (something I wish Iron Fist had done more efficiently).

I was a bit confused by The Hand. Their goal didn’t make sense, the more I think about it, and reminded me too much of Buffy, which Dawn being the Key Glory needed to get back home. I wanted to see them do more, as a majority of the time, they just stood around while Elektra kicked ass.

Defenders ending with me wanting more. It’s a catch 22, I enjoyed the series and binged it quickly, but now I have to wait for the next entry, be it Daredevil, Punisher, etc. I’m also excited to see if there will be any other shows, perhaps Daughters of Dragon? I read somewhere that Defenders is looking to big Netflix’s biggest premier, so only time will tell.