‘Deadpool 2’ (15) reviewed

❉ Dead good or dead wood? Find out in Ben Peyton’s spoiler-free review.

Ryan Reynolds returns as potty-mouthed, Marvel mutant Wade Wilson, aka superhero Deadpool, in the sequel to 2016’s record breaking film. In Deadpool 2, our hero thoroughly embraces his position as the naughty, drunk uncle of the Marvel family and brings us a refreshing counterpoint to the other superhero movies out there.

Deadpool teams up with some fellow mutants, a few of whom we’ve met before, in a bid to protect young mutant Russell, also known as Fire Fist, from Josh Brolin’s time travelling super soldier Cable, who’s intent on killing the youngster for reasons unknown.

Director David Leitch has previously worked on action films John Wick and Atomic Blonde so is no stranger to this adrenaline-charged genre. Deadpool 2 offers up more of the same from the first film, but on a grander, even more cinematic scale. Explosions, slow-motion shots, chases, fist fights, sword fights and gun fights are all choreographed to perfection and the bullets go ballistic in a beautifully balletic way. The opening title sequence and song give the James Bond films a run for their money and a retro score including A-ha, Cher and Pat Benatar accompany the action.

Although there are several laugh out loud moments, including a Basic Instinct gag that’s just nuts, some of the trademark in-jokes, asides and quips to the camera fail to hit the mark and become tiresome and irritating.

There are some fun cameos and strong performances from the supporting cast especially Zazie Beetz as Domino and Rob Delaney as Peter, but the film very much belongs to Ryan Reynolds and Josh Brolin. Indeed, Reynolds, with his easy Canadian charm, is regularly upstaged by Brolin’s commanding presence and skill as an action hero.

If you enjoyed Deadpool, then you’ll enjoy this. It’s loud, obnoxious and crass (was it going to be anything else?), but a hell of a lot of fun. It also provides a surprisingly emotional finale.

Stick around for a couple of scenes during the end credits, but don’t hang around until the very end because there isn’t one.


❉ ‘Deadpool 2’ (15) opens in cinemas nationwide 16 May 2018. Running time: 119 mins. Director: David Leitch. Cast includes Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Brianna Hildebrand, Leslie Uggams.

 Ben Peyton is an actor, voiceover artist, husband and dad. Credits include Band Of Brothers, Holby City, Emmerdale and he was a regular in The Bill. You can find Ben on Twitter – @BenPeyton007 or at his website – www.benpeytonreviews.com.

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