Deadpool 2: Review

Quite an extraordinary two years have passed since the foul mouthed, fourth wall breaking Deadpool disgraced our screens. Having taken the world by storm first time around, Tim Miller hands the directorial baton to John Wick and Atomic Blonde director David Leitch with Ryan Reynolds maintaining a healthy portion of creative control. In this outing Deadpool assembles an unlikely team of mutants to protect young Russell - a boy with pyrokinetic powers - who is being ruthlessly hunted by the brutal, time travelling Cable. 

The Meta Merc with a mouth returns in a sword swinging, Dolly Parton playing sequel that proves bigger isn't always better. Featuring a significantly larger budget than the original, Deadpool 2 takes two steps forward in its action and visual effects departments but three, four maybe even five steps back in many others. For hard core fans it probably delivers everything you would want from a Deadpool film, but personally I don't find it as fresh or fun as its predecessor. 

Automatically, just by being a known quantity Deadpool 2 looses that original gut punching, wallop the first film delivered. In many ways it draws similarities to Guardians of the Galaxy - the original was a joyful surprise hit but Vol 2 was a lot stodgier and lacked the whimsical charm of the first. Deadpool 2 is very much the same -  it struggles to replicate what made the original so unique; even the fourth wall breaking seems less refreshing than it did two years ago. It aims for shock and awe and this quickly becomes very tiring. 

Deadpool 2 boasts a new team of fantastic second string X-men that have engaging characters, but most importantly fit perfectly into this unconventional universe. Where the first film captured Deadpool as a lonely vigilante, a self proclaimed one man show,  Deadpool 2 presents the wise cracking Wade Wilson very much as a team player. Colossus returns with a fantastic metal punch as well as Negasonic Teenage Warhead who's moody persona still works a charm. As you may expect the new faces are certainly a magnificent addition. Zazie Beetz steals the show as Domino - who's seemingly un-cinematic mutant power of luck - amazes with her exhilarating sequence of final destination type deaths. Not to mention Josh Broiln, who hot off the heals of Avengers: Infinity War makes a fantastic debut as time travelling warrior Cable. With Sicario 2 still left in the bag this man promises to dominate the summer movie season. 

Where the original told a love story Deadpool 2 is a film all about family, but don't be misled - it's still a strong 15 certificate. Leitch attempts to make Deadpool more than just a croc wearing, gun slinging killer; through the involvement of the X-men and girlfriend Vanessa Deadpool 2 has more heart than you would expect. Something tragic happens in the beginning of the film that leads Deadpool on a moral journey - but this plot device is overused and feels very out of place, it simply doesn't gel with the rest of the film. As this happens early on this affects the entire film and throws everything off balance making the structure feel far less focussed and pacy than the original. It's the Terminator 2 spoof story line that best works here and not the family drama elements. 

Deadpool 2 proves that a large aspect of what made the original so fantastic was the surprise factor. All the elements from the original are in place but they seem far less exciting or refreshing as they once were. Reynolds dedication truly brings this character and his world to life but Deapool 2 is a lot messier and scattershot than you would have hoped. Domino and Cable are easy stand outs, as well as the new X-force, and if that means we see more of them the next time maybe a second sequel isn't so bad after all. 

Deadpool 2 

Bad