by For over two decades, Ryan Reynolds has established himself as one of Hollywood’s leading comedic actors. From early roles in comedies like Van Wilder and Waiting to his breakout performance as Deadpool, Reynolds has showcased a sharp wit and likable persona that has endeared him to audiences worldwide. At the heart of Reynolds’ comedic talents lies his ability to effortlessly break the fourth wall and engage viewers with self-aware charm.
Reynolds has perfected a deadpan, self-deprecating delivery that allows him to land even the most absurd jokes. Whether delivering rapid-fire insults as Deadpool or sly asides as Nick Banks in Van Wilder, Reynolds imbues his dialogue with perfect comedic timing. Even in serious roles, Reynolds finds a way to inject dry wit into his performances. This was on full display in Buried, where Reynolds was confined to a coffin for the entire film yet still managed to make audiences laugh through sheer comedic timing.
Beyond his delivery, Reynolds has also distinguished himself through an uncanny ability to directly acknowledge and play with the conventions of whatever film or franchise he’s in. This “winking” at the audience creates a unique sense of complicity that draws viewers closer. Reynolds will frequently break the fourth wall to comment on plot holes, poke fun at tropes, or just give the audience a knowing look.
This self-awareness was taken to its extreme in Deadpool, where Reynolds’ mercenary would constantly reference his status as a comic book character. Lines like “You’re about to see some shit that will scar you for life. On the plus side, I don’t have to wear makeup” shattered the illusion of cinematic reality for laughs. Reynolds’ commitment to gleefully dismantling conventions has since inspired similar meta-humor in films like The Lego Batman Movie.
Beyond just breaking the fourth wall, Reynolds also excels at portraying characters that are fully conscious of how absurd their situations are. As Nick Banks, Reynolds would roll his eyes at the antics unfolding around him. As Pikachu in Detective Pikachu, Reynolds brought deadpan sarcasm to the normally cutesy Pokémon. This awareness creates an instant connection with audiences who appreciate being in on the joke with Reynolds. His characters’ self-deprecation and willingness to poke fun at their own movies infuses Reynolds’ performances with infectious charm.
Did He Change the Genre?
While Reynolds has certainly perfected a unique comedic style centered around self-awareness and witty delivery, the question remains – did he truly change the comedy genre through innovation or has he mainly excelled at refining pre-existing concepts? On one hand, Reynolds helped bring action-comedy blends like Deadpool to the forefront of popular culture. However, the basic elements of his humor – physical gags, snappy dialogue, breaking the fourth wall – have clear precedents.
The core components of Reynolds’ brand of comedy – physical humor, rapid-fire insults, winking at the audience – have been staples of the genre for decades prior to his rise. From the Marx Brothers to Monty Python to Ferris Bueller, Reynolds builds upon a comedic tradition rather than reinventing its foundations. Where he truly shines is in his expert delivery and ability to make even the most self-aware humor seem fresh and charming.
Reynolds also benefits from following in the footsteps of predecessors who helped establish genres he’s since found success in. The R-rated superhero action-comedy blueprint laid by films like Kick-Ass no doubt paved the way for Deadpool’s breakthrough. And Reynolds’ skill at blending action and humor can be traced to 80s/90s classics like Lethal Weapon and Beverly Hills Cop.
Does this diminish Reynolds’ impact? Not necessarily. All creative works are built upon those that came before, and Reynolds deserves credit for refining pre-existing concepts into hugely profitable blockbuster franchises. His performances as Deadpool in particular have reinvigorated the superhero and R-rated comedy genres for new audiences. However, one could argue Reynolds excels most at expertly delivering concepts originated by others rather than pushing new comedic boundaries.
The Counter-Argument
Critics of Reynolds’ influence point to his comedic talents lying more in delivery rather than originality. While undeniably charming and skilled at landing a joke, Reynolds’ humor arguably stays within traditional lanes. His performances refine pre-existing comedic styles rather than revolutionizing the form.
Reynolds also finds most of his box office success within the narrower confines of the R-rated action-comedy genre. Outside of this niche, his comedic roles have met with more mixed results. Films like The Proposal and Hitman’s Bodyguard showcase Reynolds effectively, but more straight comedies like Definitely, Maybe and The Captive failed to ignite.
This suggests Reynolds’ strengths are best utilized when paired with action or drama to supplement his delivery-focused comedy. As a pure comic lead carrying a film, his talents seem to have less impact. Even Deadpool relies on over-the-top violence and plot twists to keep audiences engaged between Reynolds’ witty asides.
Overall
While Ryan Reynolds didn’t reinvent the comedy wheel, his unique charismatic presence and delivery mastery have left an undeniable mark on contemporary film comedy. Through expertly crafted performances in franchises like Deadpool, Reynolds has proven himself a modern comic icon capable of anchoring hugely successful film universes. His willingness to directly acknowledge and subvert cinematic conventions has also influenced a wave of self-aware meta-humor.
However, whether Reynolds truly changed the comedy genre itself is debatable. At his core, he builds upon traditions of physical comedy, rapid banter, and breaking the fourth wall established long before his rise. His most profitable successes also stem from R-rated action blends rather than straight comedies. This suggests Reynolds’ true talent lies in refining pre-existing styles for new audiences rather than forging wholly original paths.
Ultimately, Ryan Reynolds’ comedic legacy will be defined by his skills as a performer rather than an innovator. Through charisma and comedic timing, he has become a modern comedy icon. But the foundations of his humor draw from traditions preceding his career. Reynolds’ influence stems from popularizing pre-existing concepts, not revolutionizing comedy itself. He is a master of comedic delivery that keeps audiences engaged, even if the concepts themselves are not entirely new.
