Ryan Reynolds is back in “Deadpool 2!” This time, he forms a team called X-Force, as they try to protect a young mutant from the Cable (Josh Brolin), a time-traveling cybernetic soldier. Our JP reviews the sequel.
Deadpool 2
(20th Century Fox)
Release: 05/18/2018
- Directed by David Leitch
- Produced by Simon Kinberg, Ryan Reynolds, Lauren Shuler Donner
- Written by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Ryan Reynolds
- Based on Deadpool by Fabian Nicieza, Rob Liefeld
- Starring Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz, T.J. Miller, Brianna Hildebrand, Jack Kesy
Studio Synopsis:
After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor – finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best Lover.
J.P.’s Take:
“Deadpool’s” debut film in 2016 established a cult-following with his profane, often deranged antics, for which he broke “old hat” rules of heroism. It was the type of refreshing, yet raucous, rollicking good time fans have been waiting for.
The follow up, “Deadpool 2,” is fashioned much in the same vain as its forerunner — only Marvel gives it a heart delving further into Wade Wilson’s / Deadpool’s (Ryan Reynolds) more poignant moments. What we find is the merc with a mouth contending with death, the family dynamic, and the definition of a real hero. Where as many sequels can leave fans soured over stale storytelling, this inner conflict within Wade Wilson revive this continuation and does so with zeal. Once again, the sequel throws a middle finger to those ole hero tropes, starting off with an insane mix of cynical comedy, visceral action; then inches its way into tragedy.
Keeping “Deadpool 2” grounded, however, is perhaps the sharp-witted script written by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and Reynolds, where Wade / Deadpool strives to become the father figure to a young misguided mutant named Russell Collins / Firefist (Julian Dennison).
The odd pairing develops a relationship which seems to work on a twisted level. “Deadpool” is also hilarious — “e-quipped” (see what I did there with the word quip?) — with alert asides, keen observations, and wicked slights aimed at the “X-Men,” mainly Wolverine. You can rest assure he’ll take pot shots at political figures, even himself in the process as well. This only intensifies further into the second half of the flick.
Josh Brolin, who is also seen as Thanos in “Avengers: Infinity War,” is the nimble and fierce Cable. He executes a formidable performance.
Helping to bring this second outing to a roaring ovation is the lively new cast. This group makes up Deadpool’s mighty motley crew of heroes, the X-Force:
- The charismatic Terry Crews as Bedlam.
- Zazie Beatz is lady luck in the flesh as the character Domino. Her abilities … well let’s just say luck is on her side 24/7.
- Bill Skarsgard is the vile Zeitgeist, a mutant who can spew acidic vomit as his weapon.
- Lewis Tan is the anime styled super human Shatterstar.
- Young fresh talent Dennison is the volatile Russell Collins / Firefist. He’s plucky and daft all in one.
- Rob Delany is the plane-Jane human hero Peter. No real powers accept that of the everyman with a hero complex.
- If you blink, you might miss Brad Pitt as the Vanisher.
Some actors are reprising their roles from the first film:
- Morena Baccarin as Wade’s fiancé and former escort Vanessa. She gives a fine performance here.
- T. J. Miller sticks around as Deadpool’s best buddy, Weasel.
- Brianna Hildebrand as the moody mutant Negasonic Teenage Warhead. You have to like that name.
- Stefan Kapicic voices the conservative Colossus, an X-Man with the mutant ability to transform his entire body into organic steel.
- Leslie Uggams returns as Blind Al, Deadpool’s foul mouthed elderly neighbor.
- Karan Soni plays again Dopinder, Deadpool’s getaway driver.
All-in-all, this is surprisinglyone of the most satisfying sequels of hero lore I’ve seen in quite some time. It’s the type of meta-fictional, laugh a minute riot with many memes and inside jokes you’ll have to watch it again just to catch everything. Not to mention the story is something you don’t expect from a movie that’s a set up for raunchy rants and raves.
I enjoyed the visuals, which are almost a joking nod within themselves, to the cartoonish special effects of Saturday morning animated adventures.
In some way, “Deadpool 2” is set up better than the first outing.