Deadpool 2: Review

Deadpool 2 is a 2018 action adventure movie by David Leitch of John Wick and Atomic Blonde and stars Wade Wilson as Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. That is slightly wrong but Reynolds truly is the character as proven on and off screen. Deadpool first broke into our hearts in 2015 from a leaked visual effects test and soon after got his first movie. This is the follow up to that and features the return of many characters while introducing fan favourites and unknowns alike. The movie exceeds expectations in being way more than just an extended running joke that somehow this exists but instead adds a verisimilitude to the character that even though he may break the 4th wall, makes you connect and understand his pain and suffering as the story progresses.  It remains a very simple story and through that, we get great character interactions, hilarious physical and verbal comedy and a tender dare I say romance that fills every moment of this movie with joy and happiness.

The cast is expanding as with any good sequel and the introductions are standouts. Everyone from Lewis Tan as Shatterstar which is like super no one knows X-Men character and he looks identical to his comic version, even the history which is absurd. The real shining stars, however, come from the returning characters of Colossus and Dhupinder. Seriously, there is the giant metal man that almost sounds weirdly hollow when hit but he is filled with charm, straightforward goodness and a never-ending hope. He is the bright beacon in a very R rated movie and his relationship with Deadpool is truly tested throughout the movie. It’s the best friendship that ebbs and flows and makes you truly love a metal man. The other side of this is Dhupinder, Deadpool’s getaway driver/taxi cabbie. While only having a small role in the first movie, it is truly expanded and his experiences we saw previously has affected him a dark way. Played by Karan Soni, his dark machinations are on screen for everyone to see. He simply wishes to join the ranks of Deadpool and kill him but he is often sidelined due to having no skills, no powers and no other helpful ways of getting the edge on anyone. However, he is a scene stealer and shines in all of his little moments.

There are a lot of super cool easter eggs and connections to comics, films and TV. While this movie doesn’t follow any comic run or series specifically it takes little bits and pieces of everything. While the references are obvious it just adds to the fabric of this warm bloody quilt. The use of X-Force is one that is very interesting, the members are taken from the entirety of X-Men history. Some from the original run, some from the Mike Allred one and others from the last 30 years that the team has existed. The team shows up in a bombastic way that features great characters, surprising cameos and just some that make you truly raise your eyebrow. The team goes through ups and downs but by the end of the movie you see a new family emerge from the events of the movie and you know this X-Force is ready to take on the world. I also kind of really loved that you see Deadpool in a grey and black suit instead of the regular red. It’s a nod to his X-Force uniform but how he gets it is the funniest thing and just as absurd as everything else, it works in a weird fashion. There is a moment when a new character emerges and Deadpool fangirls out and just starts listing all his best comic appearances with book titles and numbers and just that love for the original but making it funny is perfect. Can’t wait for the internet to tell me what exact issues that he mentioned.

One quick mention before I wrap up, but listen to the orchestral score by Tyler Bates. He is one of my favourite composers from his work on the Fast and Furious movies to Guardians of the Galaxy but he drops a score that is fairly straightforward. It is epic and superhero-ish when needed and moves according to the tone of the movie very well. The standout is the R-rated instrumental track that shows up. Just listen and you won’t notice it but listen for some epicness in the music you are hearing.

8/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Now some awesome recommendations after you see the movie or before and want to get woke on some the cool stuff.

SPOILERS FROM NOW ON!

Below is a review with my friend Prarus, we started by trying out some chimichangas before the movie and learned why Deadpool really likes it and then saw the movie after and gave our intital thoughts.

The playlist below is a combination of songs from the first 2 movies so if you hear songs you didn’t hear in the movie that is why, but it really is this hype up playlist with cool 80’s gems and some fun new ones here and there.

Got to give some love to Rob Liefield, the creator of Deadpool and this poster is a reference to New Mutants #98 but you see the cinematic versions of the characters taking a page from the comic versions.