Deadpool: As a former X-Man.
Bedlam: Trainee.
Deadpool: Thank You, Bedlam. I was always appalled by the blatant sexism in the group’s name. X-Men? *Men*? The point is, our group will be forward-thinking. Gender- neutral. From now on, we’ll be known as… X-Force.
Domino: Isn’t that a little derivative?
Deadpool: I don’t recall asking your opinion, Peter.
Peter: That wasn’t me.
The wise cracking unconventional superhero is back and this time he is building his own team of equally unconventional heroes. After the love of his life, girlfriend, Vanessa (played by Morena Baccarin) is killed on their anniversary, leaving him to wonder if it is worth it to go on living, however every time he attempts to reunite with her in the after life, he is sent back with the message that he doesn’t have the right heart yet. The riddle confuses him but Deadpool eventually finds motivation through the X-Men as they attempt to rescue a mutant boy who possesses a fire fist power that has the humans running worried with fear. The question is will Deadpool be able to save the boy?
The film as a whole is definitely one for a more mature audience. First off, the language is just as vulgar as before and Deadpool’s breaking of the third wall to explain what is happening has audiences expecting it. The jokes are both degrading and enjoyable as anyone who knows Deadpool, knows what to expect. It especially is comical when he refers to “bad writing” numerous times, particularly because ofRyan Reynolds’ involvement in both the screenplay as well as a producer on the film.
Additionally, the other element that drives the movie is the music which adds both a somewhat serious nature as well as moves the film to its climax. Good music, it helps bring the audience to the forefront by anticipating what is to come. Reynolds also pays homage to other films not limited to only superheroes but also the latest 007 franchise. The opening credits after the death of Deadpool’s girlfriend uses the same elements as Specter did by using slow-mo to the song Ashes by Celine Dion to show his grief process and how he attempts to cope with it. If I had to make predictions for next year’s best song I would definitely say this one should be a contender as it has the same storyline and passion Specter’s Opening Theme, Writing on the Wall, by Sam Smith.
Deadpool of course stars Ryan Reynolds and he doesn’t disappoint but let’s look at some of the other actors. The team that Reynold’s puts together as they attempt to rescue the boy from Juggernaut (voiced also by Reynolds) is comprised of a good star quality of actors including Josh Brolin as Cable, and Zazie Beetz as Domino in her first known blockbuster. As a relatively new actress, though she comes from the TV series Atlanta, Beetz did an exceptional job as she played the new hero with no powers other than that of being lucky. The chemistry between her and Reynold’s seemed to be somewhat natural as she was able to keep up with the jokes of Reynold’s and even added a few of her own including when they first meet and Deadpool is interviewing her. As soon as he says, “she is in”, she comically says, “Lucky me.” It’ll be interesting to see her in the upcoming film, X-Force which will feature the newly created team.
The other breakout star that must be noted is the young boy who Deadpool must save, that is Firefist (Julian Dennison). At first glance, Dennison seems as though he could be a ‘not important’ character to the storyline as he kind of blends into the story as the film is about Deadpool, not Firefist, however half way through the audience sees a growth in Dennison as he begins to trust Deadpool until he overhears Deadpool’s comment on the boy and suddenly thinks he needs a new mentor. It happens so fast that before we know it, he is trying to destroy the orphanage as Deadpool realizes it is all his fault.
Honestly that is the only thing that I found hard to believe. It seems as if Reynold’s was trying to combine too much into the character of Firefist into a short time as the movie is only an hour and fifty minutes. Personally, I think if he would have added even ten minutes, it would have been more well rounded and perhaps he wouldn’t of had to downplay his writing as being “Bad”. That aside, I did like seeing the growth of new characters and will definitely be playing more attention to both Dennison as well as Beetz to see where they will be going.
Deadpool 2 captures the same raw nature as the first one as it is vulgar, offensive and highly entertaining. The writing, though Reynolds calls it “bad” really as a whole isn’t all that bad. He breaks rules that screenplay writers are taught not to do, but he does it in a way that is fitting for the character and the audience is laughing too hard to realize that he did. Due to the nature of the film, it’s not recommended for everyone and those that do wish to see it, should definitely go in with an open mind for some crude dialogue and graphic body splitting scenes.
The film came out in theaters last week, and is currently playing in one near you.