Deadpool 2
3.5/4
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz, Julian Dennison, Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand, Stefan Kapicic
Rated R for Strong Violence and Language Throughout, Sexual References and Brief Drug Material
The success of "Deadpool" surprised everyone. A self-aware superhero movie about a smart-ass who has no problem with wanton murder and destruction isn't something that a studio executive would jump all over. But it had the right star, Ryan Reynolds, on board, so it went ahead. Still, "Deadpool" had the words "cult movie" written all over it. No one could have predicted the phenomenon that it ended up becoming. With a gross of $783 million against a $58 million budget, it became the highest grossing R-rated film of all time. Together, with the success of the overrated "Logan," Hollywood again saw profitability in the R-rated genre.
In all honesty, I didn't think it was that great. While I appreciated its audacity and its rejection of normal superhero conventions, I thought it contained more attitude and style than stubstance. Still, the movie is growing on me with each viewing. That's changed with "Deadpool 2," which still has all of the meta-humor and violence that made the first one such a smash, but it takes the successes and elevates them. "Deadpool" set the stage. "Deadpool 2" takes those ideas and makes them shine.
Having made peace with his new life, Deadpool, aka Wade Wilson (Reynolds) is dishing out vigilante justice as only he can. He's still living it up with his lovely girlfriend Vanessa (Baccarin) and planning a family. But of course tragedy strikes, and Wade is left without direction. Colossus (Kapicic) finally succeeds in getting him to join the X-Men, but it's a decision he comes to regret since it ends up with a corpse and both Deadpool and the potential new recruit (Dennison) being sent to the Icebox, the remote prison for mutants. But Cable (Brolin), a man from the future, has come to the present with a very specific agenda: kill Russell. After receiving some advice from beyond the grave, Wade decides that he cannot let that happen.
Aside from its predecessor, there has never been a movie that gives such a giant middle finger to established movie tropes. Movies that both embrace and parody their respective genre are rare ("Kick-Ass" is a fine example). But to go so far as insult the crew in the opening credits instead of listing them by name? Or have the lead character aware that he's in a movie? Virtually unheard of. "Deadpool 2" delights in mocking the superhero genre and movies in general. Some of the funniest moments come from when the film sets us up for something conventional and then shreds it. Such as the debut of the X-Force. It also lampoons pop culture at every turn. For example, the opening credits are a rip-off of James Bond, with a song by Celine Dion. I'm dead serious.
Ryan Reynolds was born to play Deadpool. The Canadian redhead doesn't have great dramatic range, but that's not what's called for here. Deadpool is an obnoxious, sarcastic, pop culture motormouth with a wisecrack at every turn. Reynolds knows just how to play him for maximum hilarity and lovability. Josh Brolin, who seems to get better with every movie he's in, turns up the nasty as the half-machine Cable. Julian Dennison is solid but not spectacular as the troubled Russell. Newcomer Zazie Beetz steals her scenes as a true badass whose superpower of incredible luck makes her a true badass. And the lovely Morena Baccarin returns as Vanessa. I wish the Brazillian actress would get more roles. Unfortunately, also returning is T.J. Miller as Wade's obligatory best friend Weasel. Like Seth Rogen, he never stops riffing on whatever he's talking about. "Deadpool 2" makes fun of this, but it doesn't camouflage the fact that he's just irritating. Fortunately, due to personal scandal, Weasel won't be returning for the sequels. If only the same fate would happen to Rogen...
"Deadpool 2" is a delicate balancing act between genres and tones. It's a superhero movie, but it knows it is and mocks it. It's a parody, but it makes you care. It's refreshingly funny and exciting. It hits the sweet spot, and that's what makes it such a blast. I had a ball watching this movie.
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz, Julian Dennison, Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand, Stefan Kapicic
Rated R for Strong Violence and Language Throughout, Sexual References and Brief Drug Material
The success of "Deadpool" surprised everyone. A self-aware superhero movie about a smart-ass who has no problem with wanton murder and destruction isn't something that a studio executive would jump all over. But it had the right star, Ryan Reynolds, on board, so it went ahead. Still, "Deadpool" had the words "cult movie" written all over it. No one could have predicted the phenomenon that it ended up becoming. With a gross of $783 million against a $58 million budget, it became the highest grossing R-rated film of all time. Together, with the success of the overrated "Logan," Hollywood again saw profitability in the R-rated genre.
In all honesty, I didn't think it was that great. While I appreciated its audacity and its rejection of normal superhero conventions, I thought it contained more attitude and style than stubstance. Still, the movie is growing on me with each viewing. That's changed with "Deadpool 2," which still has all of the meta-humor and violence that made the first one such a smash, but it takes the successes and elevates them. "Deadpool" set the stage. "Deadpool 2" takes those ideas and makes them shine.
Having made peace with his new life, Deadpool, aka Wade Wilson (Reynolds) is dishing out vigilante justice as only he can. He's still living it up with his lovely girlfriend Vanessa (Baccarin) and planning a family. But of course tragedy strikes, and Wade is left without direction. Colossus (Kapicic) finally succeeds in getting him to join the X-Men, but it's a decision he comes to regret since it ends up with a corpse and both Deadpool and the potential new recruit (Dennison) being sent to the Icebox, the remote prison for mutants. But Cable (Brolin), a man from the future, has come to the present with a very specific agenda: kill Russell. After receiving some advice from beyond the grave, Wade decides that he cannot let that happen.
Aside from its predecessor, there has never been a movie that gives such a giant middle finger to established movie tropes. Movies that both embrace and parody their respective genre are rare ("Kick-Ass" is a fine example). But to go so far as insult the crew in the opening credits instead of listing them by name? Or have the lead character aware that he's in a movie? Virtually unheard of. "Deadpool 2" delights in mocking the superhero genre and movies in general. Some of the funniest moments come from when the film sets us up for something conventional and then shreds it. Such as the debut of the X-Force. It also lampoons pop culture at every turn. For example, the opening credits are a rip-off of James Bond, with a song by Celine Dion. I'm dead serious.
Ryan Reynolds was born to play Deadpool. The Canadian redhead doesn't have great dramatic range, but that's not what's called for here. Deadpool is an obnoxious, sarcastic, pop culture motormouth with a wisecrack at every turn. Reynolds knows just how to play him for maximum hilarity and lovability. Josh Brolin, who seems to get better with every movie he's in, turns up the nasty as the half-machine Cable. Julian Dennison is solid but not spectacular as the troubled Russell. Newcomer Zazie Beetz steals her scenes as a true badass whose superpower of incredible luck makes her a true badass. And the lovely Morena Baccarin returns as Vanessa. I wish the Brazillian actress would get more roles. Unfortunately, also returning is T.J. Miller as Wade's obligatory best friend Weasel. Like Seth Rogen, he never stops riffing on whatever he's talking about. "Deadpool 2" makes fun of this, but it doesn't camouflage the fact that he's just irritating. Fortunately, due to personal scandal, Weasel won't be returning for the sequels. If only the same fate would happen to Rogen...
"Deadpool 2" is a delicate balancing act between genres and tones. It's a superhero movie, but it knows it is and mocks it. It's a parody, but it makes you care. It's refreshingly funny and exciting. It hits the sweet spot, and that's what makes it such a blast. I had a ball watching this movie.
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