Director: David Leitch
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin and Morena Baccarin
‘A Spectacular Sequel’
When it comes to the most cool superheroes in comic books, it’s worth discussing Deadpool. Following introduction in the 1990’s, Deadpool has earned a huge fan following. With his comical humour, bloody violence and witty intelligence, Deadpool has proven that he’s a memorable comic-book character. Deadpool’s journey in comic-book movies began in 2016 with the release of “Deadpool”. An amazing comic-book blockbuster, it celebrated the legacy of an iconic hero with a larger-than-life personality. The movie’s box-office success left the door open for a sequel that audiences could adore.
In 2018, the Merc with a Mouth burst back on the big-screen again with “Deadpool 2”. David Leitch’s film is a bold comic-book blockbuster which offers an innovative take on a beloved hero. Packed with breathtaking visuals, awe-inspiring action and powerful performances, it’s a captivating comic-book sequel. Despite its merit, “Deadpool 2” is not a film without flaws. It is unevenly paced, lacking strong villains of its superior predecessor. While “Deadpool 2′ is nowhere near the first film in terms of quality, it’s still a superb comic-book movie definitely worth seeing. It offers exhilarating entertainment that fans of the superhero simply won’t be able to resist.
Following events of the first film, “Deadpool 2” follows the comical superhero facing hardships he must go through. Ryan Reynolds embodies Wade Wilson, the wisecracking superhero with a love for cracking jokes. However, Wilson’s tendencies to joke around are tested when he witnesses a heartbreaking tragedy. Fulled by vengeance, Deadpool embarks upon a dangerous journey to seek revenge against gangs that perpetrate violence.
David Leitch is a newcomer to the comic-book genre. A stunt coordinator, Leitch has always excelled making action films. With “Deadpool 2”, however, Leitch crafted his first comic-book movie. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempt to reimagine a loved superhero on the big-screen, but he succeeded. Through bold cinematography, Leitch captures a superhero on a dangerous journey of revenge. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes as stunning as revenge missions that Deadpool endeavours to organize. Leitch effectively uses montages to capture a superhero searching for his identity. The montages play a pivotal role in the movie showcasing Deadpool’s grief following the loss of his girlfriend. Through these montages, the film reveals an emotional side to Wade Wilson that audiences have never seen before. Unlike the previous movie, it allows viewers to form a powerful emotional connection with Deadpool. Through stunning cinematography, Leitch captures a comical superhero’s legacy.
Another extraordinary aspect of “Deadpool 2” that contributes to its success is action. From a technical perspective, you won’t see a comic-book movie which is as impressive. One area where the movie improves considerably on its predecessor is the action sequences. The film is filled with thrilling action sequences that capitalize on the hard R-rating. Leitch expertly utilizes slow motion action scenes to capture a brutal nature of a comic-book hero that isn’t afraid to break rules. For instance, slow-motion elevates the opening action sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Deadpool fights gangsters engaging in bloody violence. Using slow-motion, Leitch captures the wild world of a superhero embarking on a dark path of self-destruction. Slow motion is a tricky technique to use in comic-book movies. When used excessively, it can often come across as a gimmick in these movies. That being said, it works tremendously in “Deadpool 2”. Through awe-inspiring action, Leitch celebrates a comical superhero on a mission.
One admires astonishing performances. In a star-studded cast, every actor gets the chance to shine and leave a lasting impression.
Ryan Reynolds delivers one of his best career performances as Deadpool. Reynolds gained recognition playing the Merc with a Mouth in “Deadpool”. With “Deadpool 2”, however, he brought out an emotional side to the superhero. If the previous movie portrayed Deadpool as a comical hero without any emotions, the sequel gives him greater depth. With strong expressions, he conveys the angst, comical humour and grief of a hero struggling to cope with a tragic loss. It’s a terrific performance from one of the most talented actors working in Hollywood today.
The supporting cast is also sensational and worthy of recognition. Josh Brolin is brilliant, capturing the frightening nature of a villain hell bent upon completing his mission of mass destruction. Brianna Hildebrant is hilarious, bringing humour to a female superhero that isn’t afraid of putting her life in grave danger. Finally, Morena Baccarin merits appreciation. As Deadpool’s love interest, she brings tender emotion to the movie.
Despite its powerful performances, however, “Deadpool 2” can’t quite honour a superhero that’s cool. If there’s a shortcoming to the film, it lacks engaging pacing. Leitch’s decisions to integrate subplots about romance into the film is bold but doesn’t succeed. Due to this poor technique, scenes capturing Deadpool’s love life aren’t as engaging as his journey to find his identity. Moreover, the film lacks a compelling villain. Unlike the previous movie which had a fascinating villain with strong motivations, the sequel lacks this component. Cable is a formulaic bad guy without a clear backstory. It’s a disappointment because most comic-book movies are driven by great villains. Great antagonists are always integral to the success of comic-book movies, and in this regard “Deadpool 2” falls short of expectations.
Nevertheless, fans of the iconic superhero will definitely appreciate “Deadpool 2” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment.
Nearly 30 years following the introduction of an iconic superhero that would pool his resources into treating villains with ridicule, it’s a cool reminder that the comical Merc with a Mouth hasn’t lost his abilities to engage audiences with compelling stories that resonate through his bravery to break every single rule.
3.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 