Deadpool 2

A sequel to a cult film based on a character previously used (poorly) in another film which falls within the same franchise? Such was the success of the first Deadpool; Ryan Reynold’s almost personal vendetta against the awful treatment of the iconic character in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The merc’-with-a-mouth was a refreshing blast of air, clearing away the stuffiness of the timeline hopping X-Men films and the seriousness of the DC fare. However, the fourth wall breaking and meta-jokes were wrapped in a fairly trite and standard origin story.

Something the sequel needed to sort then and, pleasingly, it does; delivering a far more satisfying, meaty story and generally boosting the budget and character base to the level the first deserved. It also ups the ante in the violence stakes delivering some gruesome bits and pieces to ram home the R-rated superhero concept.

It delivers on the jokes as well. If you were a fan of the original’s snarky, sarcastic putdowns and meta references to other comic book fare you’ll be holding your sides here; some incredible X-Men jokes sit alongside the best Basic Instinct reference ever put to screen. It also has Marvel’s best post-credits scene as well.

The character count is increased with a particularly special X-Men favourite joining proceedings alongside the already announced (in the last film) Cable. The time traveller is brilliantly, if confusingly, played by Josh Brolin; no issue with this other than the fact that Thanos and Infinity War are still in cinemas. Seems slightly odd, and a shame that Mr Pool only mentions it once in passing.

So an improvement on the original but not something to attract a new audience and still, unfortunately, not a character I can see fully joining the existing X-Men franchise anytime soon, despite how promising that could be.

Reynolds sells it like his career depends on it and it delivers in feels as well as thrills. The superhero market is firmly overcrowded at this point but Deadpool 2 still sits nicely apart from the crowd.

4 stars ****