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RTF Film Review: “Deadpool 2 Is More of The Same, In The Best Possible Way”

By Mario-Francisco Robles (@I_AM_MFR)

Something we need to agree on before we proceed is that your enjoyment of Deadpool 2 will be entirely contingent on how you felt about the first film, because it’s one of those things where if you loved the first one, then you’ll love this one, too. Conversely, if you didn’t care for the first Deadpool, then the sequel isn’t going to change your feelings about this franchise.

With that in mind, this review is coming from me- someone who thought the first Deadpool was pretty darn great, so the fact that this turbo-charged sequel merely builds on the framework of its predecessor is nothing but great news.

Deadpool 2 is one of the those films that’s honestly hard to critique, because it’s really more of an experience than some great cinematic achievement. It’s a mile-a-minute joke machine, with tons of action, quips, easter eggs, and outrageous fourth-wall-shattering moments. Similar to the first film, the plot is very straightforward and rather barren, so it’s all about the execution. While I may have had my doubts about the series moving forward without director Tim Miller, it’s clear that David Leitch was up to the task of taking the gonzo ideas of Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Rheese, and Paul Wernick and bringing them to kinetic life.

What the film lacks in “first time ever” freshness- since a bell cannot be un-rung and there’ll never be another experience like the first Deadpool– it makes up for in anarchic energy.

Right from the jump, the film takes off at a sprint and dares you to try and keep up with Reynolds as Wade Wilson. The film rarely hits the brakes on its manic pace, but I didn’t mind that because I was laughing fairly nonstop the whole way through just waiting for the next crazy moment. The film, honestly, feels like you’re taking a ride on your favorite roller coaster, only to find out as you’re strapping in that they’ve sped it up and added some extra loops.

If there’s one drawback to the zippy nature of the film, and the way it storms through major plot points with little time to soak up what’s going on, it’s that some of the moments where it’s clear they want things to be a little more dramatic and heartfelt fall a little flat because you’re expecting something to funny to kill the tension. When the punchline never comes, and you realize, “Oh, I was supposed to really invest in that moment? Oops!” that’s when you realize that the film’s plotting and tone is sometimes at war with some of its more sentimental ideas.

But, again, considering the real meat-and-potatoes of a Deadpool movie is the humor, the satirizing of the superhero genre, the meta references, and the over-the-top mayhem of its action set pieces, I didn’t bat an eyelash over the fact that I rarely felt any feels while watching Deadpool 2.

It’s also kind of hard to call out a film for having moments of lazy writing…when the lead character actually acknowledges how lazy it is. The fact that they’re in on the joke, and that some of the sloppier elements of the script could arguably have been put there on purpose, eases you into a state of “We’re in this together. Let’s just have some fun.”

At least that’s how I felt about it.

Deadpool 2 is not going to change the world, but it’ll give you two hours of outrageous, escapist fun. And sometimes, that’s just what the doctor ordered.

Grade: A