The first Deadpool was a semi-risky move for Fox; while they could count on the attendance of loyal comic book fans, how would the average filmgoer view the movie? Turns out it was a major success with both audiences, and in typical Hollywood fashion, the studio ordered a sequel. However, with more faith in the Deadpool property, how would a sequel handle the character?
To put it bluntly, Deadpool 2 masterfully pays homage to its source material. Not in the sense that it pays homage to any particular storyline, but that it captures the essence of what makes reading Deadpool so much fun. It presents hilarious acting and dialogue, along with a world full of characters we’ve come to love from the comics.
The opening seconds of the film have Deadpool throwing jabs at another iconic Marvel character (someone with a name that rhymes with “Polverine”). From time to time Deadpool will chime in with his iconic fourth wall breaking; this is never done in excess, and while not every quip may be super clever, each one is bound to get a chuckle out of viewers. Early on the film sets up one dramatic moment that impacts the overall story, along with plenty of blood and decapitation.
Speaking to that latter point, you can tell the filmmakers decided to go all out with this sequel. While Deadpool’s dialogue is just as hilarious (if not more) compared to the first movie, there’s more bloodshed this time around. While never becoming too gory, one will find more visuals at work in regards to the gun and swordplay, and all the blood they bring forth.
The dramatic component that takes place at the beginning sets an interesting tone moving forward. The majority of Deadpool 2 is a balls to the wall action packed blast, but also includes pockets of sincere emotion. Just like how audiences felt for Wade Wilson in the first movie when he discovers he has cancer, viewers will find similar moments of sympathy. On the flip side of that coin, everyone in the movie has the power to produce laughter. Even if they aren’t on the screen for that long, or don’t say that much, they are bound to bring out an abrupt chuckle. Even Josh Brolin’s Cable is hilarious at times thanks to his crude and gritty dialogue. As one of the film’s antagonists, he takes some time to flesh out. He eventually comes around, developing in ways that help to strengthen the plot.
Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) and Colossus (voiced by Stefan Kapičić) return, with the latter playing a much bigger role this time. Deadpool 2 is full of funny cameos and other new characters, but one that really shines is Zazie Beetz’s Domino. Not only is she a likable character, but her action sequences make for some of the best in the picture. All this said, no one can outshine the Merc With A Mouth himself, Ryan Reynolds.
Just like it’s incredibly difficult to picture someone other than Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine, it is unfathomable to picture anyone but Reynolds playing Deadpool. Besides the movie’s excellent fighting scenes, Reynold’s dialogue makes for a big part of why this picture is so enjoyable. His acting is what really makes the character terrific on screen (and helps hold the story together).
The story of Deadpool 2 is fun at best; compared to the epic Avengers: Infinity War, the stakes in Deadpool 2 are slim. Those stakes grow over time, but the story takes on an unconventional flow. This is primarily due to the amount of humor that takes place, as well as the pacing of important plot details. There isn’t that traditional sense of rising tension we get from other superhero movies; for the most part, it feels like the audience is just tagging along with Deadpool as he goes from point to point. This isn’t to say that the film is without any sort of structure, it’s just that the plotting is flimsy.
But this works for Deadpool 2. The flow of the story, along with the acting and dialogue of Reynolds, really make you feel like you are in a Deadpool comic. Watching Deadpool 2 feels like holding a comic book in your hand, and feeling that sensation of turning the page to see what happens next. Everything plays out like you would expect it to in a Deadpool comic; of course, this works in favor for those who actively read the books, but is a terrific element nonetheless.
Deadpool 2 promises an excellent time with even more laughs and action than its prequel. Reynolds continues to prove he was meant for the role of Deadpool, providing outstanding dedication to the performance. Deadpool 2 is a standout comic book movie that captures the feel of the books and presents a thrilling experience for all to enjoy.
