'Deadpool 2' A Review

Deadpool 2 is a superhero horror comedy, a sequel to the 2016 original. The film opens on Wade Wilson(Ryan Reynolds) aka Deadpool as he attempts to commit suicide followed by a flashback to the events leading up to that moment. In the future Cable(Josh Brolin) is in a burned out room, picks up a scortched teddy bear, and travels back in time to the present. In the wake of his attempted suicide Deadpool half-heartedly joins the X-Men and on his first mission, to talk down rogue teen Russell Collins(Julian Dennison) aka Firefist, he fails miserably. Cable begins hunting Russell and Deadpool suspects he may have more importance than he initially thought.

Reynolds puts in a great performance, showing not only substantial comedic chops but incredible range and versatility. The confines of the original's origin-story are relaxed and Reynolds flourishes in the simpler more streamlined narrative. Milking not only all the varied opportunities for comedy(physical, wit, reference etc.) but manages to give the character a compelling emotional arc. Lampooning and undermining cliche while also delivering successfully what amounts to a relatively tried-and-true sincere message. Brolin is a decent straight man but isn't given too much to do. Dennison is fun and both him and Brolin do well, and the film benefits, from roles as not-quite-villains further differentiating Deadpool 2 from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The major stand out though is Zazie Beetz as Domino who's super power is luck. She exudes an effortlessness and confidence that is magnetic and it pairs perfectly with her odd hard to determine ability. Delightful physical sequences and random coincidences result in the exercise of her "luck". Her energy is so electric she steals every scene she is in.

The action in the film is great, bordering frequently on the hilariously grotesque, but the real star is the script. In an age of ever expanding worlds and backstory and franchises and multiplying characters the story is relatively intimate. It provides all the thrills of a superhero film but with little to none of the drawbacks. The characters are all fully formed, they're all dimensional, the film is both irreverent and has heart, and it is diverse(featuring the first openly and explicitly gay superhero) without ever calling attention to it.

With the glut of superhero movies and certainly in the wake of the all-flash-no-bang Infinity War Deadpool 2 is a surprising balm.

See It.