Deadpool 2

Deadpool was such a hit, and Ryan Reynolds’ take on the character has become so beloved, that it’s easy to forget the film was originally considered a risk, and so, made on the (relative) cheap. Since initial fears turned out to be very unfounded, the sequel gets the big budget and all the CGI toys usually afforded to a superhero production. Bigger isn’t quite better, but thanks to a terrific cast of characters and a still-sharp sense of humor, the drop in quality amounts to, at most, a baby step down.

The film finds Reynolds’ mouthy mutant mercenary on the befalling end of a personal tragedy. Reduced to his lowest, ‘Pool finds some purpose in trying to save a troubled young mutant (Julian Dennison), not only from the persecution of a cruel world, but also the time-traveling cyborg soldier Cable (Josh Brolin). To do so requires forming a new team of ragtag mutants dubbed X-Force, as well as some familiar faces from the X-Men.

That vague description is about all I can offer for a synopsis, not only to withhold spoilers, but also because the plot is a bit all over the place. Therein lies the biggest drop-off from the first Deadpool, which was a tightly-plotted film that worked as both a straight-up origin story and a parody of the same. This one plays more like one of the gritty, uber-macho, ridiculously convoluted stories from the regrettable era of comics that birthed Deadpool (and which the character later lampooned). While the picture is on the side of parody, it’s only just so.

But, the humor is the driving force of the movie, and luckily keeps it from crossing the line into actual ridiculousness, rather than the fun kind. A few repeated gags get old (the recurring ironic use of soft or cheery songs makes for diminishing returns), but the script makes up for those with some real howlers, particularly the (harsh but deserved) blows at the films from the other big comics label, and some gory and gross-out moments that are truly hysterical. Also, there are a few great deep cut references and lines for the true comic fans in the audience.

Reynolds has not worn out his welcome since last time, and never does; he’s as charming and quick on the quips as ever, and even the tiniest bit sincere in the moments of pathos. Speaking of pathos, Dennison pulls double duty as maybe the strongest depiction of young outcast alienation in the whole of the X-Men franchise (I’m not kidding), while also filling the annoying, bratty kid role nicely. Other new and returning characters mostly amount to bit players but are still strong in that capacity, especially this big brother version of Colossus (Stefan Kapičić in voice, Andre Tricoteux in mo-cap). And Brolin playing Cable completely straight as a grim, stiff badass (ridiculous in itself) makes for hilarious contrast with Reynolds.

The future of Deadpool on film (and the whole X-Men franchise) is kind of up in the air, given the supposed acquisition of Fox by Disney. Any studio would be foolish to scrap, neuter, or recast this character, though. If Deadpool 2 is any indication, Reynolds has a long way to go before getting old or stale, and having carried two films, has earned the chance to anchor a spin-off franchise. But that’s all for another day. Here and now, Deadpool 2 is a damn good time.