DEADPOOL 2 (R)
Released by 20th Century Fox
Review by Adam Mast
Right up front, let’s get this out of the way: DEADPOOL 2 is a ton of irreverent fun and it proudly wears its R-rating like a badge of honor. This sequel is bigger, louder, and funnier than the first film and while it’s certainly not perfect, its manic energy, self-deprecating humor, and carefree attitude make it an obscenely pleasant, in-your-face alternative to the likes of the box-office juggernaut that is INFINITY WAR.
In this sequel, Wade Wilson (aka Deadpool) is as smart-alecy as ever and at this point, he’s completely comfortable in his well-respected superhero shoes. He’s not only happily in love with the girl of his dreams but he’s also living large after striking fear into the minds of criminals throughout the world. Sadly though, a horrible incident sends the fourth-wall-breaking Deadpool on a much-needed journey of self-discovery. A journey that finds this consummate smart-ass bonding with a young mutant (energetically played by an amusing Julian Dennison of HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE fame), battling a time travelling soldier called Cable (played by a steely Josh Brolin), and learning the dynamics of teamwork through his union with a collective of up and coming wannabe heroes he ultimately deems X-Force.
DEADPOOL 2 is loaded with enough plot developments, pop culture references, and spirited cameos to fill 5 movies let alone one, but its fearless sense of humor, ultra-violence, and brutal antics give this chaotic and sometimes messy film a flavor that is wholly unique unto itself. Translation: DEADPOOL 2 doesn’t give a shit!
Director David Leitch (JOHN WICK, ATOMIC BLONDE) steps in for a departing Tim Miller (sidenote: the original DEADPOOL helmer is currently on TERMINATOR duty) and his involvement proves to be a pretty good fit. DEADPOOL 2 doesn’t feature any of Leitch’s trademark oners and there are times when some of the hand on hand combat scenes are a bit on the muddled side, but this action stylist has plenty of energy to spare. He keeps the film moving at a brisk pace and fittingly, he keeps DEADPOOL 2 fluctuating from uproarious comedy to epic action to tragic drama in hyperkinetic fashion. What’s more, you can feel Leitch’s genuine love for iconic action films of the past nearly every step of the way, for DEADPOOL 2 is every bit as much a love letter to TERMINATOR, ROBOCOP, and DIE HARD, as it is to the increasingly popular Marvel source material that inspired it.
Of course, holding DEADPOOL 2 together is the motormouth freak-of-nature that is Ryan Reynolds, a charismatic performer whose love for this character knows no bounds. Reynolds worked tirelessly to bring this edgy Marvel property to the big screen and that hard work continues. What’s really worth noting here, though, is that while Reynolds once again brings his manic spontaneity and a keen sense of comic timing to the table, Deadpool as presented in this picture actually has a character arc. Some viewers might be pleasantly surprised to find that Wade Wilson has plenty of heart to go along with that colorful foul mouth of his, and that’s a testament to Reynolds’ talent and natural likability as an actor.
Now, one of the big questions that remain is given Disney’s pending acquisition of 20th Century Fox, might we see Deadpool pop up in future AVENGERS movies? That’s hard to say, especially when taking into consideration that Brolin (Thanos himself) plays two entirely different characters in both DEADPOOL 2 and INFINITY WAR. But then, Chris Evans played Johnny Storm and Captain America, so why the hell not?!
Whatever happens in that regard, fans of Ryan Reynolds and his take on Deadpool are likely to enjoy this second installment just as much, if not more than the first film. From a supremely funny opening credits sequence (which is punctuated by a new award worthy tune performed by an Oscar-winning diva), to themes of grief, anger, and family, to the epic action set pieces, to the clever use of dubstep and a haunting acoustic version of an 80s pop classic, to its nothing-is-off-limits brand of comedy, to a post-credits stinger that is clearly Marvel’s most undeniably brilliant ( and clever) stinger to date, the hilarious, self-effacing, action packed DEADPOOL 2 is a very fun time at the movies, provided you’re up to the very R-rated proceedings that await you as you enter the theater.
