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Deadpool 2

Far surpassing any initial expectations, the original DEADPOOL was a shocking, vulgar, insanely original masterpiece that obliterated all clearly defined cinematic conventions.

Snarky, sarcastic, violent, and obscene, this installment is every bit as weird and wonderful as one would hope.

The film, featuring the Katana blade wielding Mercenary with a Mouth, ingeniously portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, instantly became a classic of the superhero genre. Relentlessly fun and funny, it was filled with so many pop-culture references and one-liners that it was impossible to soak it all in with one viewing. Hilarious and stylish from start to finish, it possessed the rare ability to win over those who couldn’t care less about superheroes, and also proved that an R-rated comic-book flick could be immensely popular and profitable.

As with any smash hit, it was obvious that there would be an immense amount of interest in a potential sequel. DEADPOOL 2 received the greenlight almost immediately, although details surrounding the production were kept tight-lipped until its release. Three weeks after the debut of the $2 billion grossing AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, Reynolds’ donned the red and black suit once again, and brought Wade Wilson and his snarky alter-ego Deadpool back to life.

DEADPOOL 2 is not only a spectacular sequel, but is easily one of the most entertaining films I’ve seen this year. As with any follow up, there was concern that the production would be a letdown after the unexpected brilliance of the first. Snarky, sarcastic, violent, and obscene, this installment is every bit as weird and wonderful as one would hope.

Relentlessly fun and funny, it was filled with so many pop-culture references and one-liners that it was impossible to soak it all in with one viewing.

After the death of a loved one rocks him to his core, and then a grandiose suicide attempt goes awry, Wade Wilson (Reynolds) looks to find meaning in his life. In hopes of doing so, he becomes an X-Men (in training) and crosses paths with Russell Collins (Julian Dennison). The confused and conflicted teen is incapable of controlling his fiery emotions, and may very well be a danger to anyone who enters his stratosphere. Wilson takes it upon himself to take the troubled youth under his wing, no matter what the cost. This unexpected emotion lands him in a prison for mutants, and puts him directly in the path of Cable (Josh Brolin), a futuristic cyborg whose mission in life is to kill the boy.

The plot of DEADPOOL is not nearly as imperative to the success of the production as it was in INFINITY WAR, yet bounces along at a pace that not only keeps the viewer’s interest, and results in a number of spectacular action sequences. Graphically absurd and constantly over-the-top, they are jubilantly thrilling. Though these moments are not nearly as intense as they are in other comic-book
adaptations, they are consistently impressive none-the-less. Meant to illicit laughs and cheers, they strike the perfect balance of excitement and anarchy.

What truly sets DEADPOOL 2 apart from its countless counterparts, however, is the sheer charm, charisma, and delivery by its audacious star. Reynolds carries the film in a way that makes him as vital to DEADPOOL’s success as any other performer in any other movie you will see this year. The humor is virtually non-stop, and contains so many references and inside jokes that it almost feels like a game to spot them all. The supporting cast, including Brolin, Karan Soni, and standout co-star Zazie Beetz as the lucky Domino, add dimension to the story, and have a number of hilarious moments in their own right. There are a handful of phenomenal cameos, and I’m not sure if there has ever been a series of post-credits scenes that have ever, and I mean EVER, been better.

Though it is unlikely to win over any new fans, DEADPOOL 2 is an absolute blast, and is the rare movie that I’m already counting down the days until I get to see it again to discover what I missed the first time around.

GRADE: A