Deadpool 2 (2018)

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 2018)

Like many others, I did enjoy Deadpool when it came out a few years back. it was a refreshing and very self aware film that wasn't afraid to break the fourth wall and really go for it. Add to that that it was one of the few R-rated comic book/superhero films, which ultimately made for a fun time. Now after the dust settles from Avengers: Infinity War, Deadpool 2 comes out and immediately from the trailers you can tell its going for its referential and aware humor. Sequels do not always work but I think in this films case it comes close to the original.
The film picks up after the events of the first film, but this time there is a young mutant named Russell Collins who Deadpool gets intertwined with. A time traveling soldier named Cable (very reminiscent of a Terminator) comes back in time to try to kill Collins. Deadpool is also trying to recruit a group of superheroes to come together to stop cable, and he wants to call them the X-Force. The film keeps many of the characters from the first film while adding new faces, the most worthy addition being Domino (played by Zazie Beetz).
If you don't like the first Deadpool you won't like this one. Its more of the same. There is high paced and every present action scenes, lot of bloody and gory scenes, foul language, and clever humor and a light hearted comedic attitude throughout. The film makes plenty of references to film tropes and other super hero films (as expected). I think the addition of David Leitch as director was great. The action scenes are excellent to watch, and Leitch is no stranger to style when it comes to fight scenes, having helmed Atomic Blonde and John Wick previously.
The story may be somewhat predictable, but the character interactions, the humor and the fast paced action make the film a fun ride. One cannot deny the charm that Ryan Reynolds brings to the Deadpool character, its a high point of the film. I also loved Zazie Beetz as Domino, love her in Atlanta. There is plenty going on and while the film could easily become sappy, tired, or cheesy, it doesn't really wander into that territory. I didn't like the very ending of the film and I feel like it prolongs a problem I see in these recent crop of super hero films.
I enjoyed the first Deadpool but feel like the sequel is just as good, if not slightly better. This film has a much better villain and the supporting characters are utilized better. Its references are just as smart as the first, and this franchise and its lead character haven't really lost a bit, though it runs the risk of doing that with future installments. Deadpool 2 meets expectations.
7.5/10