In a year where many might have thought Captain America: Civil War would be the first comic book film to score some big time nominations for Oscar gold, a new contender has emerged with a lot more clout than anyone had thought. Wade Wilson's mouth has gotten him into the big time, as Deadpool has been racking up nominations at the Golden Globes, as well as the Writers and Producers Guilds. Tell us you saw that coming!
It's not hard to see why the film has been steaming ahead on a train that's blazing a trail no other four-panel film adaptation has been down. In fact, there are some safe cases that can be made for various major Oscar nominations to fall into the laps of those responsible for Deadpool and all of its nutty glory. And we're going to make a case for each and every one of them, as we're totally behind Ryan Reynolds and company being honored for the work they've done in redefining the comic film landscape.
The Case For Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Adapted Screenplay is almost a given, considering the writing is what's probably the strongest point of Deadpool's total package. Everything lives or dies by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick's script, as it not only has to make sense of the fourth-wall breaking/smart-assed humor Deadpool is know for, it also has to keep up with the cast's fast mouths. It pokes fun at comic films without having to remove itself too much from the comic book fray. Also, it's drop dead funny, and humor should count for something in a screenplay.
The Case For Best Visual Effects
Our justification for Best Visual Effects kind of ties into another category we're going to argue for. But for now, the nomination for Deadpool's visual effects prowess is centered around the fact that its main character's appearance called for a lot of effects trickery. Just the gags with Wade's limbs being bent, removed and mangled out of shape should be a golden ticket for the VFX teams that worked on this film. But on top of that, the actual film proper has some impressive effects designs, in particular the wrecked helicarrier that's mocking/referencing Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
The Case For Best Makeup Effects
So back to that whole "main character's appearance" subject: Ryan Reynolds looks ugly in Deadpool. Of course, that's the entire point, as Wade Wilson's deformities leave him looking like an avocado had sex with an older avocado. But to get the chiseled and normally stunning Reynolds to look like a walking nightmare of mutation is something that took some serious makeup chops. The team succeeded with flying colors, and the hysterically haunting results deserve some recognition by their peers.
The Case For Best Director
To put together a good parody, a good action movie and a good comic book movie are all singular feats on their own. But to somehow roll all three genres into one extremely solid package is a hat trick that director Tim Miller brought to Deadpool's table. Though admittedly, to give a nomination and possible win to Miller would be both bittersweet and a bit awkward, considering the director won't be coming back for Deadpool 2. Now there's an acceptance speech we're eager to hear.
The Case For Best Actor
Ryan Reynolds. What do you say about his involvement with Deadpool that isn't already public knowledge? We all know he spent almost a decade trying to get another turn as the character he originated in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It's been known that he's a genuine smart ass, who has the ability to charm and disarm, while also being a total smarm factory. But both the physical and professional dedication to making Wade Wilson's life a motion picture count in spades towards his investment and performance in the lead. The man was born to play the part, and he gave it more than his all.
The Case For Best Picture
It's not easy to peg a film as a possible nominee for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Films that you'd think would be sold from day one don't end up on the list of honorees, and the reverse is just as true, as we saw with last year's nomination of Mad Max: Fury Road. So if we can nominate a high octane action film with feminist overtones, a lot of practical effects and some solid acting work, then shouldn't Deadpool be a worthy successor? The Academy loves to nominate popular wild card films to even out the field, and this one fits the bill so well, you may as well call it a duck.
