Across the inescapable world of superhero flicks at the cinema, there truly is no hero more unique than Deadpool. He is willing to say and do nearly anything because he understands that his originality is unmatched and audiences love it.
If nothing else, Deadpool 2 is thoroughly entertaining. The highly anticipated sequel shows a larger and far more cluttered world than 2016’s surprise hit Deadpool. Equally intense, the titular character’s new adventure is gleefully full of the same humour, action and soul that makes the franchise great.
Wade Wilson/Deadpool (a delirious Ryan Reynolds) is back fighting the superhero rulebook and pressure to join the X-Men. After a personal tragedy, he is determined to save a new young hero in danger before he’s hunted by the brooding Cable (Josh Brolin.)
The more puzzling question, however, is how original the movie is. This is the first of four superhero #2 sequels coming out this summer (and Incredibles 2 is less than a month away.) Following Avengers: Infinity War, it’s also the second Marvel blockbuster in three weeks. And it’s the second featuring Josh Brolin as a new star character.
Deadpool is a madly captivating character
The sequel’s greatest success is it’s earnest dedication to being what makes these movies iconic and refreshingly different. The cast and script are hysterically funny, and the humour is consistent throughout.
Metafiction reigns supreme as the fourth-wall smashing zingers come from every direction. But director David Leitch has a deft hand at balancing this tone with the darker and very human moments of action. These contrasting tones of violent renegade danger and soulful jokes weave together effortlessly.
While the entire ensemble is stacked with talented, unique performers, two men really do stand on top. Reynolds’ public passion for this role and his characterization is stratospherically courageous and bold. And Brolin’s Cable is deeply stirring and technically scary. Even from Avengers, he is versatile and totally different.
In its weakest moments, the film’s zany style become incoherent and a bit too overwhelming. The sequel has lost the modesty and a bit of charm from what made the first one so dynamic. Several scenes add nothing to the main story, losing the tightness that defines great comedy.
The film jokes in one scene “if all goes well, we can all go home. There’s no need for a third act.” Maybe not. Maybe we could’ve done without most of the second act entirely. This overlong sequel may not have been entirely necessary.
And then the giddy fun of these explosion-craving, expletive-filled butt-kickers really takes off. It’s comedic action at it’s very best, and a rare studio franchise where the producers know exactly how to toe every delicate line.
The movie's messy. But as Deadpool claims, so is doing the right thing.
Not a lot of events actually happen with the rapidly growing ensemble of heroes, but at least the final product is clean. It may not be coherent, but it is complete. And frankly, the line-up of cameos in the film are jaw-droppingly entertaining. Even if you’ve never read a comic book or seen another Marvel movie.
So even if it’s a choppy description amid the highs and lows of its originality, there is one universal quality that’s admirable. It’s refreshing to see an old-fashioned superhero movie about what makes someone a true hero.
Yes, sometimes true heroes are stuffed with curses, gore and stunningly foul mouths. This one also happens to be filled with great heart. Deadpool 2 fights dirty. And his head is firmly in the right place.
Just don’t ask me to write where. Modesty and journalistic decency forbids it.
Deadpool 2
3 out of 4 stars
18A, 1hr 59mins. Superhero Comedy Action.
Directed by David Leitch.
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz, T.J. Miller and Morena Baccarin.
Now Playing at Film.Ca Cinemas, Cineplex Winston Churchill and Cineplex Oakville & VIP. Also in IMAX.
