Movie review: Deadpool 2 broke more than just box-office records in 2016

Deadpool 2 stays true to the brand created by the first instalment in 2016 to present a sequel with more heart, writes Urvi Malvania

Deadpool broke more than just records in 2016. Now, the sequel lives up to the hype. Only time will tell whether it breaks box-office records, but Deadpool 2 — albeit feistier, filthier and funnier — stays true to the brand.

Sequels face the challenge of whether they can live up to and, if at all, upstage the first one. Few have succeeded, as the novelty wears off and expectations soar. The writers (Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Ryan Reynolds) stick to the basics and move from there. The title montage is in the same tone as that of the first instalment, but with a twist. The anti-hero addresses the audience at the most unexpected (and sometimes much expected) moments and there is the familiar irreverence towards the studio and the superhero movie genre that Deadpool charmed audiences with.

While the tonality flows from the first one, the sequel has a lot more heart. An unexpected twist right at the beginning sets the plot in motion, and we see the gun-toting potty mouth Deadpool struggle to cope with the turn of events in an almost humane way. For many, this may seem soapy, but this is Deadpool we are talking about, and he deals with unpleasantness in trademark fashion, taking the audience along for the rib-tickling, edge-of-the-seat action ride.

The movie has humour, action and emotion in spades. The Merc with a Mouth continues to break the fourth wall, thanks to his consciousness that he exists as a fictional comic book character. Only this time around, he seems even more obsessed with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, with references to both the character and 2017’s Logan spread across the film. The end-credit scene may be one of the cleverest and most applauded we have seen at the movies, even if it borrows from stock stand-up comic material. On the action front, director David Leitch (John Wick) sticks to the basics and the result is engaging.

Reynolds, who plays the titular character, continues to charm. While promoting the film, he admitted viewing the character of Deadpool as an alter ego of sorts, and his performance shows it. Add the layer of “heart” the writers weave into the character arc for the anti-hero, and Reynolds’ Deadpool shines through brighter. Returning cast T J Miller (Weasel), Morena Baccarin (Vanessa Carlysle), Brianna Hildebrand (Negasonic Teenage Warhead), Stefan Kapicic (Voice of Colossus) and Karan Soni (Dopinder) all slip into their roles with ease. New additions Julian Dennison (Russell Collins/Firefist) and Josh Brolin (Cable) fit right in. And yes, the writers don’t miss a chance to point out that Brolin plays Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. There are some surprise cameos — some just for fun, others could be potential Easter eggs, the comic book movie fans’ ultimate delight.

With Guardians of the Galaxy (2012), studios realised music can be a big part of a superhero film, and Deadpool was quick to pick up on it. In Deadpool 2, music plays an important role not only as it helps segue from one scene to another, but at times, it is the punchline and has the desired effect.

Like its lead, Deadpool 2 is not without flaws. In an effort to infuse more heart into the movie, the narrative gets slow in patches, something the audiences may forget with the next quip, but in the moment they may just need to stifle a yawn. Some of the jokes and punchlines are hilarious, but predictable. Towards the end, especially, a good three to five minutes are spent on the most done and dusted comic trick in the book, threatening to undo what the franchise has achieved.

Having said that, Deadpool 2 is a must-watch for anyone who liked Deadpool. A vulnerable Deadpool is no less lethal, brutal or self-involved and he makes for some hilarious viewing.