By: Sari Cohen | HFLF Contributor
Disclaimer: SPOILERS! Proceed at your own risk!
If you thought “Deadpool” could not be matched, then a reminder of the power of a good sequel is just what you need. The first installment, back in 2016, should have indicated just how far the MCU will go in the realm of surprisingly shocking behavior – and you probably should have imagined they would attempt to top that. Luckily, just in time to heat things up this summer at the box office, Ryan Reynolds reprises his role as the famous antihero in the newest addition to the Marvel franchise.
Wade Wilson (aka Deadpool) returns to the screen in this edition, doubling down on the foul language, high body count and R-rated humor. Director David Leitch is at the helm along with writers Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and Reynolds. The initial on-screen reference to itself as a “family” movie seemed a bit counterintuitive as the blood and guts started rolling in, but as is the case with other elements of the film, all that is left unanswered eventually does come full circle.
Without spoiling the various twists, turns and cameos (because there are certainly plenty of each), the theme from the very beginning seemed to beg the question, just how meta can you get? In true “Deadpool” fashion, the answer lies in dreaming up an idea, and then multiplying it by 10. On second thought, make that 100; because the words “too much” don’t really apply here.
Even the opening credits began with some major meta foreshadowing. As soon as “One of the Two Guys Who Killed John Wick’s Dog,” rolled across the screen in substitution of a name, the audience was well-aware it was game on. From there, the film upped the ante and nothing was off limits. Throughout the one-hour and 59-minutes of screen time, just about every character in both the Marvel and DC Universe (including Reynold’s own ‘Green Lantern’) had their time to shine; or rather, be lampooned.
Sticking with the MCU tradition of one movie setting up another, just as “Black Panther” did so well with “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Deadpool 2” keeps with the momentum. The sequel sets the stage for the upcoming “X-Force,” which has been in development at 20th Century Fox for a few years now. Reynolds, Brolin (as Cable), Beetz and more team up to revive the beloved characters we meet here.
On top of the intelligently placed inside jokes, fans can also look forward to a few familiar faces. Both Morena Baccarin (Vanessa) and T.J. Miller (Weasel) reprise their roles. Terry Crews and (blink-and-you-miss-him) Brad Pitt make appearances. Zazie Beetz (Domino) joins in the fun as Lady Luck, who is perhaps one of the most endearing characters in the film. And Josh Brolin, (while most recently starring as Thanos, which did not go without mention) steps in as Cable: a time traveler who sets his sights on the past in order to right some very big wrongs.
Apart from the senseless violence, the overwhelming sense of self-awareness, the raunchy humor and the relentless self-loathing, the plot itself holds some very real substance. A suicidal Reynolds sheds his antihero skin (in more ways than one) after a tragedy leads him to Julian Dennison (Russell) and his desire to help the troubled teenage mutant drives his fight. Joining the X-Men (as a trainee), he teams up with Stefan Kapicic (Colossus), Brianna Hildebrand (Negasonic Teenage Warhead) and her girlfriend Shioli Kutsuna (Yukio); all who prove to be some pretty valuable friends.
“Deadpool 2” takes all of the cool characteristics of a Marvel movie, mixes it with the fun of a lewd comedy, and then tops it off with just the right amount of mayhem you’d find in slasher film. At its core, it actually tells a sentimental tale of love and friendship that is perfectly summed up with a surprisingly touching version of a-ha’s “Take On Me.”
All in all, there are some great character arcs, wonderful storylines and a number of really incredible moments. In the end, fans will leave knowing that they got a “little” more than they bargained for (especially in the case of Ryan Reynolds) and will take comfort in the message that time can actually heal all wounds.
“Deadpool 2” hits theaters worldwide on May 18th.
