Review- Deadpool 2

Deadpool 2 is the sequel to that superhero film from 2016 that everyone liked because the dude in red said naughty words instead of shooting webs. I liked the movie too and while I may have been a littl over eager with the score I gave it back then, it was a really enjoyable time and a refreshing move from Fox. When that movie was the success it was, a sequel was inevitable and it's here, directed by one of the John Wick guys. Turns out, it's pretty great but lets break down the plot first. There's a little bit of stuff happening before the plot kicks into full gear but once it does, it's essentially The Terminator or Looper. Cable, a cyborg from the future, has travelled to the present day to murder a little kid with the power to shoot fire from his hands who will grow up into a serial killer. Deadpool decides (for assorted reasons) that he should protect the kid and so begins a wacky journey in which the X Force are formed and child murder is continuously attempted. The general plot direction is unlike to shock you but there are plenty of little story details thrown in that are lovely unexpected twists on expectations. Usually they're played for laughs (more on that later) but even when they're not, they're flourishes that add greater texture to a film whose plot could have easily been forgettable.

All the actors in this film hit exactly the comedic moments they're meant to and are one of the reasons the film works so well. Fans of the original film won't be surprised to hear that Ryan Reynolds once again knocks it out of the park as Wade Wilson aka Deadpool. His quips are perfectly delivered, the snide looks are aimed with real talent and even his physicality works, his character swaggering with a confidence that infects the film. Other returning actors are TJ Miller, an uncomfortable presence onscreen but fine enough, Morena Baccarin as Wade's girlfriend, in a backseat this time but cherished whenever she's onscreen, and my favourite of the returnees, Karan Soni as Dopinder, the taxi driver who develops a darkness comparable to that of Robert DeNiro's iconic driver. The cast has been bumped up massively though and the newcomers do great work. I won't mention everyone because some appearances are glorified cameos and I don't want to ruin them but I'll talk the biggest ones. Josh Brolin turns up for this second massive movie in a month, this time as Cable and he is pretty much the straight man to Deadpool. Any time Deadpool quips, he's there to growl back. There's also Julian Dennison playing Russel, the super powered kid. I loved him in Hunt for the Wilderpeople and while he isn't better here (in fact, I could only really see that character), he pulls of the same act in a way that will delight audiences. Finally, there's Zazie Beetz as Domino, the superhero with the power of luck. She's amazing in Atlanta so it's no surprise to see she's funny here but the fact that she's a great action heroine was a great surprise. Plenty of people will pop up who will surprise and delight you in equal measure though so I'll stop now before I spoil them.

Obviously though, the reason you're interested in Deadpool 2 is the comedy. It's the selling point, the fact that it is willing to be funny in ways no other superhero films are. That niche of "funny superhero film" has closed up even in the last two years with the Marvel movies from 2017 but Deadpool 2 is still able to go to lengths that the family friendly MCU can't. That was one of the things that made the first movie fun and this film is honestly just as funny. I'd make the comparison of the jump from 21 Jump Street to 22 Jump Street, in that the jokes are much more meta and much smarter too, while still retaining that lovable stupidity. If you think back to the first film however, it's greatest problem was a relentlessness with jokes, never willing to let any moment sit if you can fit a joke in there. That problem can still pop up at times in the sequel (a moment near the end is particularly guilty of this) but by being directed by one of the guys behind John Wick, the pacing is smoothed out wonderfully with action scenes. That action is great and rarely interrupted by humour, meaning that that relentlessly exhausting pace from the first isn't there and the two hours fly by quickly. As I said, the pacing isn't always perfect but the jokes are great and broken up just enough.

If I was going to pitch this film to you, it feels like an unholy mashup of Looper and 22 Jump Street. The plot and action is high concept but the jokes vary from lowbrow to massively meta, meaning you'll rarely be bored and you'll frequently be entertained in a sequel that I genuinely think is better than the original. Honestly, it's been a long time since I laughed this hard in a cinema and I'm looking forward to making a return trip to this film. That's why I'm very happy to give it an