REVIEW: Deadpool 2By Bri ManzanoMay 20, 2018Let’s be real with each other. I didn’t see Deadpool in theaters, and I’ve only yet seen the censored version via VidAngel, sans sex, sans language, sans gore. It was… much shorter. But, I still got the gist of the Deadpool charm. He’s foul-mouthed. He likes sex. He doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty, and he’s self-aware as a fictional character. He’s a twenty-first-century superhero - cynical awareness, moral relativism and all.
A lot has changed in the last two years. I saw Deadpool 2 in theaters without hesitation, and I don’t regret it.
Antihero Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), in the wake of great tragedy, decides to blow himself up in order to gain some perspective. Soon after, his life takes a completely new direction, and down this new path he comes face-to-face with the troubled teen Russell (Julian Dennison) who is hunted by the time-travelling mutant Cable.
Deadpool 2 is hyesyerical. It’s the kind of hilarious that most films don’t get to be because the writers are not bound by realism or convention. Deadpool is known for his complete inability to take anything seriously, and the writers definitely join him in his carefree attitude. Where else would you find a protagonist who can leave the wheel of a gigantic rig and not only is it a joke, but it serves the plot?
Though, I’d be lying if I said the charm hasn’t worn off a little. Amidst hilarious harassment for Green Lantern and the lack of other X-Men in the film, every sixth or so meta joke feels like it’s made just because it can be, rather than because it’s actually funny. Alright, yup; Patrick Stewart played Charles Xavier in the original X-Men films. I remember. You’re foul-mouthed. I understand. But these are moments of disillusion in an otherwise comedically efficient sequel that does much of the same in an oddly satisfying way.
Is it good, though?
It’s by no means your family-friendly superhero film, but if you’ve got an adult sense of humor and you don’t mind a little gore and a lot of pop culture references, it’s definitely worth seeing.
Rating: 7.5/10
Favorite scene: Mid-credits scenes.
Least favorite scene: “All of my friends are dead.â€
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