Deadpool 2

Score:  C+

Directed by David Leitch
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz
Running time: 119 minutes
Rated R

Long Story Short:  Ryan Reynolds returns as the most R-rated superhero out there in Deadpool 2, a fun movie that's ultimately overloaded.  The title character gets swamped a bit by the tide of new characters, none of whom come near matching his star power.  The same smirking attitude and humor is here, but also a jarring dose of sentimentality, too.  You can wait for Netflix for this one.


Wade Wilson (Reynolds) has fully embraced his odd new life as the mercenary Deadpool, kept (somewhat) grounded by his relationship with Vanessa (Baccarin).  That is, until he fails to take out a target who exacts a devastating revenge on the merc with a mouth.  The disconsolate Wade is then paid a surprise visit by his old frenemy, Colossus, a member of the X-Men.  He persuades Wade to join them, both to move past the tragedy and to put his powers to a better cause.  Soon, the two discover a literally fiery young mutant named Russell, and a return to Wade's bloodier habits lands both of them in jail.  Meanwhile, a mutant from the near future travels back to the present to try to prevent his own tragedy from ever happening - placing Wade and Russell directly in his deadly crosshairs.

Deadpool 2 returns several cast members from the original, and also introduces a new, hit-or-miss batch of characters.  Ryan Reynolds is once again the lead, Wade Wilson/Deadpool.  He seems tailor-made for the role, much like his fictional hero Hugh Jackman/Wolverine.  Wade is defined by his dark, sarcastic sense of humor, and though he is often callous and quick to violence, he also has a softer side, at least for those closest to him.  Reynolds performance, perhaps the best part of the original film, gets swept up a bit here, though: both by the film's even more ridiculous, over-the-top plotting and a simultaneously larger focus on his character's "development".  The young mutant Russell is played by Julian Dennison, and the role ranges from dully cliched (mostly) to jarringly poor (at times).  Intended to be an intense kid, due to institutional abuse as well as bullying thanks to his powers and large size, young Julian simply can't muster anything beyond a perpetual scowl and endless yelling; there isn't anything else there.  Josh Brolin is solid and convincing as a tough, bounty hunter-type, but the script offers him little of interest and so his talent is mostly wasted.  Zazie Beetz's "lucky" Domino, a Deadpool ally, gives a little shot of energy here and there, but there's clearly a lot of potential left on the table.  Cab driver Karan Soni gets a few nice moments again here, but fellow returnees T.J. Miller (apathetic bartender) and Leslie Uggams (blind, raunchy co-tennant) aren't nearly as good this time.

Deadpool 2 is an entertaining film, relying on strengths from the original - absurdist parody of the superhero genre, Reynolds as Deadpool - but it's overstuffed too, leading to both incoherence and a watered-down quality level.  As revolutionary as the original film was, it was also fairly simple and straightforward.  Now that much of the viewing public has gotten to know the unusually violent and lewd Deadpool, the filmmakers decided to give him a much larger canvas to work with (sadly, not the Bob Ross variety as in the hilarious teaser video).  Two major problems emerge.  First is an attempt to actually insert some sincerity in Deadpool as a protector - even father figure - for the young mutant.  I already described the disappointment of Russell himself; additionally, it's just too jarring a tone change and too much time and energy are dedicated to it.  Second is the idea of the X-Force, Deadpool's own hapless "Avengers"; I understand the desire to poke fun at that other mega franchise, but it just ends up taking too much time and focus away from Deadpool himself, with little ROI.  The overall quality also takes a hit in this sequel, as they try to reproduce many of the popular moments from the first, such as Deadpool "regrowing" on the couch next to his oblivious roommate - along with all of the new stuff - and it's just not nearly as clever or well written.  Even with all of these gripes, it's still a generally fun time at the theater.  The early parts are some of the best: the credits sequence is even better this time, and even before that, there is a hilarious fake trailer with an A-list comedian.  There are some good action scenes - particularly a rescue mission/car chase through a city - and yes, it's still funny, just at a lower, more generic level.

***

Deadpool 2 serves as one of the bigger disappointments so far this year, if mostly because the original was so fun.  Ironically, it falls for one of the most common mistakes of the very blockbusters it parodies by overreaching (or maybe it did so on purpose?  If so... why?).  One can forgive the overall step down in script quality, but the two major mistakes listed above - conscious choices - are puzzling, as they defy/dilute the very strengths of this franchise.  Yes, a little bit of earnestness and/or hero tone is fine, and probably required to prevent these films from getting too cynical or nihilistic.  But the amount of it in here - and the lazy way it's done - just doesn't fit at all with the character or tone of the film.  And keep the secondary characters to a minimum - Deadpool is the star attraction, and the film easily gets lost without him *always* being at the center of events.  As if I even need to say it at this point, this kind of movie isn't for everyone (violence, language, etc. etc.); but even when it is, keep your expectations in check if you do go to see it.



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