Deadpool 2

Deadpool, the ‘Merc with the mouth’, is back – and both more cheekier and swamp-mouthed than ever in a sequel that’s not only on par with Tim Miller’s 2016 film but encompasses a welcome, sweet emotional bone clearly absent from first go-round. 

“Deadpool 2” is best consumed with little knowledge of the ingredients – or gags, as is mostly the case. It’s difficult to write a review without spoiling the best bits of the film, so go in knowing as little as possible – skip the trailers, dodge the online clips and stay off the IMDB page for the film. What I can tell you is that “Deadpool 2” has a little bit of everything – a lot of action, a lot of laughs, a lot of gore, a (trigger warning) little of T.J. Miller (google him), a whole bunch of fun and unique new characters and a splash of diabetes. 

The basic plot revolves around the cocky assassin (Reynolds) trying to find some kind of reason to go on – and he finds it in the form of a wayward mutant kid (“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” breakout Julian Dennison) who needs help escaping his abusive captors. 

Part-way through the film our hero is joined by a mysterious, older bit of movie muscle that could be his worst enemy.. or his next best friend. 

Cable (Josh Brolin) is a bad ass – and he’s on a different path to his latex-wearing counterpart. Armed with just one, erm…arm…, a teddy bear with a tragic story behind it and a mission of revenge, the middle-aged time traveler finds himself up against Deadpool and a new group of hired guns the latter’s calling ‘X-Force’.  

Brolin is more than just bulk and stamina here, with the actor giving a performance that’s comedic and dramatic at just the right times. After having to hide behind CGI for most of “Avengers : Infinity War”, Brolin seems to having a blast in his second comic book flick of the year, as the fleshy, unstoppable Terminator (no surprise to learn that most of the films reshoots involved adding extra Cable scenes). Furthermore, the versatile actor has great chemistry with Reynolds – bouncing off each other a well-versed double act. 

Also good value, Domino (Zazie Beets) a kick-ass femme fatale whose secret weapon seems to be pure and simple ‘luck’.  For those who enjoy a chick with an attitude to melt faces and some girl power to boot – you’ve got it in Domino. 

“Deadpool 2” is full of pop-culture references, which provides so many laughs you’ll forget you’re in a Marvel film. From DC to Marvel, “Cool Runnings” to Ryan Reynolds himself – the end credits sequence is a hoot! – no one is safe from the quick wit of Deadpool and the clever words of Reynolds, Rhett Reese, and Paul Wernick.

Further, the impressive list of supporting cast and cameos is again something that should just be enjoyed in the moment – so no spoilers here folks. The “Deadpool” franchise seems to want to give the “Wayne’s World” and “Austin Powers” series’ a run for its money when it comes to the unexpected star appearances. There’s some beauties in here. 

While the overall plot is weak at best (it’s essentially “John Wick” – if a camp Jim Carrey had played the title character circa 1993), you can forgive “Deadpool 2” because it’s just so darn entertaining and so intelligent when it comes to its humour. 

Furthermore, the characters are so beautifully and wonderfully written that they’re a pleasure to spend a couple of hours with. 

Much like the first film, “Deadpool 2” relies heavily on character development to hook the audience – and that’s definitely not a bad thing. Where other films in the genre fail to build on the protagonists’ history and motive, “Deadpool” does the opposite. And cuts a few heads off in the process. 

Deadpool does it again.