The Merc has still got it

Rating: 7/10 (18 May 2018)

"Deadpool 2" is a reminder that a movie coming out of the gate is completely different from one that comfortably falls back on characters and intentions.
That first movie was a shocking blast of the profane, the crude, the gorey, and yeah just the all out mayhem of it brought to film with stunning energy.
This feels like it's falling back; trying to do the same thing over again but as is the case with shock, it doesn't work as well the second time.
I'm not saying this is a bad movie, in fact it's a perfectly entertaining one, but it does feel like a come down from the first.
It sees Wade going through personal changes, becoming an X-Men trainee for a while, taking the fat kid from "Hunt for the Wilder People" under his wing, and dealing with a time traveler named Cable.
You can't fault this movie for trying. It goes for something crude or edgy in every scene, a scene where Wade regrows legs is guaranteed laughter right there.
Does it strain for laughs at times though? Absolutely. You can be edgy without telling 20 pedophile jokes. Five is more than enough.
You can never go wrong with throwing movie and pop culture related gags at movie fans though and these movies roast better than most.
Taking on Wolverine, Passion of the Christ, Batman vs. Superman, Star Wars, and Yentl this all works really well.
Oddly the most surprising thing here is that the movie does try to touch upon subjects of grief and the power of love admidst all the rampant sarcasm.
Ryan Reynolds is carrying most of the load and there's no doubt this will go down as his signature role at this point. From the fourth wall breaks, comedy, action, even a bit of drama, this is the most all-around comfortable we've seen someone in a super suit since Downey Jr. in "Iron Man."
Josh Brolin is good here too in a villain role that is both lethal but also in the realm of world saving. After Thanos and then this, we can basically call Brolin a villain who cares.
The new character Domino is really cool here. She's played by Zazie Beets, who you'll recognize if you watch the show "Atlanta".
And Julian Dennison; I like this kid. He's got attitude well suited for comedy.
And really that's what this is. I thought when the movie brought in "John Wick" and "Atomic Blonde" director David Leitch it would up the ante on the violence but it definitely stays within being a comedy with action in it.
There's a lot of physical slapstick here, stuff he handles really well.
This is a funny movie that the people behind it are really working their asses off on.
It's also a funny movie that seems to be trying just a bit too hard to top what came before and in that you can see the seams straining at times.
But action, comedy, Ryan Reynolds, the rest of this cast, it's a good time and so 3 out of 4 stars is what i'm going with guys.
If you liked this, check out Craig James Review on Youtube for more.