Not only does “Deadpool 2” improve on the original in almost every way, but it also delivers a strong candidate for the Academy Awards’ Best Original Song — “Ashes” by Celine Dion.
Set two years after the first film, Wade Wilson (Deadpool) remains a mercenary for hire, traveling around the world in search of his targets.
But after tragedy strikes and Deadpool is left with nothing, he is taken in by Colossus and asked to join the X-Men. From here on out, it’s nearly impossible to remain spoiler-free, so the details will become much more vague.
The film gradually turns into more of a rescue mission, as Deadpool must save young mutant Russell Collins from the time-traveling Cable, played by Josh Brolin. To do so, Deadpool posts hiring advertisements around town, recruiting for the X-Force.
Two of the X-Force members, Domino and Peter, steal the show in almost every scene they appear.
Domino supposedly has the power of luck, and while Deadpool might argue that luck isn’t a superpower, after seeing the movie I have to disagree. Peter, on the other hand, has absolutely no powers, and his highlights include applying sunscreen and complaining about strong winds. But don’t misunderstand, Peter (or Sugar Bear as Deadpool calls him) is an absolute gem of a character.
While I loved Cable’s design, his portrayal was a little confusing. I admit I’m not the most familiar with his comic-book counterpart, but Cable felt like less of a real threat and more of a caricature.
After a strong and menacing introduction, Cable’s presence falls flat for the majority of the film. It seemed like he was there just for the sake of being there, although his arc does conclude nicely in the last few minutes.
I was pleasantly surprised with how well the film balances humor and sadness. There are a few legitimate tear-jerking scenes, including one set to a great acoustic cover of a-ha’s “Take On Me.”
Maybe it was just the shock of seeing Deadpool this vulnerable, but to me this was one of the most endearing scenes in recent memory.
On the other hand, the “gender-neutral, slightly derivative X-Force squad” delivers one of the funniest, most shocking movie scenes I’ve ever watched. As each member jumps from the helicopter, pure hilarity ensues. If there’s ever a time for a bathroom break, it’s not during this scene.
The film is great, but it isn’t flawless. Some of the humor feels a bit too pointed and tied to current events. While it works now, I don’t think the film will age as well as the first. Down the line, first-time watchers might be more confused rather than entertained when hearing some of the jokes. There’s also even more fourth-wall breaking than in the original, and not all of it works perfectly.
The CGI is also a bit stiff at times, with one really fake looking car crash that pulled me out of the immersion for a few minutes. But it’s Deadpool, so maybe it’s all intentional.
Regardless of some whiffs in the humor department, “Deadpool 2” is a great ride. There’s still a decent amount of obscene humor and gags, and this definitely isn’t a film for the kids.
The film succeeds in the unlikeliest of places, blending comedy, drama and action better than most films in each of these genres.
Recurring characters from the first film, including Vanessa, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Weasel and Dopinder, make great use of their screen time, supporting Deadpool on his quest to save Russell and find himself in the process.
For fans of the original, I’d recommend the second in a heartbeat. And for those who didn’t like “Deadpool,” I think it’s still worth a watch. Just stay for the credits, because they contain the best post-credit sequence of all time.
Max Rothenberg can be reached at [email protected]