Deadpool 2

After an experimental cancer treatment leaves Special Forces veteran Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) deformed, insane, and capable of healing from any injury, he becomes the costumed mercenary Deadpool. But when personal tragedy strikes, a despondent Wade finds himself searching for purpose. He reluctantly forges a friendship with Russell (Julian Dennison), a troubled teenage mutant with pyrokinetic abilities. Meanwhile, Cable (Josh Brolin), a cybernetic soldier from the future, has lost his wife and daughter to an older Russell’s wrath. He travels back in time to kill Russell before the teen turns murderous, leading Wade to recruit a team to protect his young friend.

2016’s Deadpool pulled a coup of sorts, transforming an absurdist, self-referential comic book into a successful R-rated action-comedy. In this follow-up, the novelty of seeing The Merc with the Mouth on the screen has worn off, but it’s still a highly entertaining outing.

As with the previous film, Deadpool 2 is not for the young or squeamish. There is plenty of violent slapstick and crude humor to go around, and several characters bite the dust in morbidly amusing ways. However, this irreverence is tempered by a surprising amount of sentimentality. Wade’s love for Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), suicidal despair, and eventual concern for Russell are all played straight, and the franchise’s friendly rivalry with the Wolverine films sees Deadpool try to consciously eclipse Logan’s more poignant moments.

Reynolds continues to do excellent work in the title role, shifting from fourth wall-breaking wisecracks to inventive threats to heartfelt declarations, all with equal conviction. It helps that he is given plenty of great lines courtesy of writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. The duo directed this film as well, and though they replaced a special effects pro in Tim Miller, Deadpool 2’s aesthetics don’t seem to suffer much for it. The action sequences remain fast and fluid.

The supporting cast features exactly the right mix of personalities for Reynolds to play off of. Among the returning allies, Brianna Hildebrand’s Negasonic Teenage Warhead continues to cast a disapproving side-eye, Stefan Kapcic’s Colossus continues to try to make a hero out of Wade (though even he has limits), and formerly timid taxi driver Dopinder (Karan Soni) seems eager to get in on the action. Newcomer Zazie Beetz brings both snark and competence to her role as luck-manipulating mutant Domino. Brolin’s casting as Cable was somewhat controversial given the other rumored candidates, his lack of towering height, and the fact that he is already voicing another Marvel character (which Wade, of course, lampshades – “Zip it, Thanos” indeed). Though arguably not the best possible choice, Brolin still does the character justice, and his grim gravitas makes Cable an effective foil for Wade’s antics.

Deadpool 2’s plot, however, seems like little more than a contrivance to bring these characters together. Derivative and creatively barren, it shamelessly samples The Terminator, Looper, and other sci-fi action fare. Granted, Deadpool fans likely didn’t pick this flick for its story, but even by those low standards, this is a weak link.

Funny and filthy, thrilling and touching, Deadpool 2 packs a lot of entertainment into its two hours. A rumored follow-up – X-Force – may have trouble meeting expectations when the bar has already been set this high.

8/10