6) The Direct Referencing Of Our World
As much as they might reference our world, superhero movies are more often than not seemingly set in some alternate universe, between our own and a separate comic book version of it. Deadpool is different in that it absolutely takes place on modern day planet Earth.
There are references in Deadpool to Adventure Time (check out the watch that Wade wears), Sexiest Man Alive Hugh Jackman, the Taken movies and even Ryan Reynolds himself. Where superhero movies often cautiously distance themselves from our version of reality, Deadpool opens up and lets the world in.
5) The Music
Another way Deadpool lets it be known that it’s firmly set in our world: the mix of popular music on the soundtrack. Junkie XL provides an original score, but more striking is the selection of pop hits that play, from Juice Newton’s “Angel of the Morning” for the opening credits, to Wham’s “Careless Whisper” for the closing titles.
Guardians of the Galaxy had its own pop playlist, too, but that film had to narratively justify its use of period hits through Peter Quill’s possession of a treasured cassette tape from Earth. In Deadpool, the music has no reason, it just is – there’s no reason for it other than director Tim Miller (and presumably producer Ryan Reynolds) wanted it in there.