By Hunter T. Patrick

The biggest question asked is how this movie compares to the first. The first Deadpool was phenomenal and was a thing of beauty of the cinematography and wonderful directing. From the opening moments of Deadpool 2 did I feel this isn’t better, but worse. That thought did not last long as after a few minutes in full of jokes and typical Deadpool fun did the movie take a huge turn right before the opening credits. The first Deadpool lacked something I felt that defines the character, and after that scene in Deadpool 2, I knew they cracked what makes Deadpool Deadpool. Deadpool 1 is a phenomenal movie, but in comparison, Deadpool 2 is a phenomenal Deadpool movie. Deadpool 1 is better, but Deadpool 2 is better for the character and that makes it special.

To begin with the negatives, this is assuming one watched the first Deadpool, of they did not, these won’t be negatives and will be benefits to the movie (upon thinking, one can enter Deadpool 2 without seeing Deadpool and will be safer than say, another recent Marvel movie, cough cough Infinity War cough). Jokes are reused frequently from the first one, sometimes in great callbacks, sometimes in just the exact same way. The logic may be that if it isn’t broke don’t fix it, but these are still noticeably identical. These jokes still got loud laughs in the theater but are still weak points in the movie. Laughter is contagious and seeing it in theaters may make it funnier, but Deadpool 2 switches tones fast frequently. This works very well, but if seen in Theaters there may be laughing at inappropriate times or long laughs that interrupt the hurt and heart of the character. Watch in your own risk. That negative is solely on large crowds as that is one of the movies biggest strengths.

Deadpool 2 is a much more emotional roller-coaster than its previous. There is more hurt in the characters and it makes scenes stand out in anguish. There is a scene before the credits roll that caused tear-eyes for the theater (more than that for me), that is so beautifully made. This scene was the longest scene without laughter and for good reason. The previous film had nothing like it nor did it have tragedy to the level of this film. The heart and hurt were real in new ways. This is not necessarily a superhero movie in the traditional sense, but if it was, it was one of, if not the most emotional (alongside Logan of course).

The characters were not only strong but phenomenal. New characters Russell, Domino, Peter, and another character I will not say were extremely strong. Cable fans need not worry, he was a complete badass and by the ending, he shows greatness in defining his character. His interactions with Wade were golden and has one of comic’s greatest and oddest pair-up be shown wonderfully. Characters from the previous film also have grown and are much stronger this time around. One example is Weasel had a smaller presence and when shown his lines were far funnier. Deadpool 1’s cast was more a second thought for most characters as Ryan Reynolds stole the entire show, luckily now Reynolds has competition.

The meta-humor is hilarious and is lightning fast. Various lines about the MCU were especially great, along with lines for various other superheroes. Avoid this movie if you have not seen Logan as it assumes everyone has seen that movie and it may ruin a vital moment from that beautiful film. Deadpool 2 leans more heavily this time around for the X-Men movie universe and it works wonderfully for the embrace. No review for this movie would be complete without saying stay for the mid credit scene. When it is said that is one of the best ever for any superhero movie, that is not an understatement. It is so spot on and brilliantly hilarious. This movie may not be as perfect as the first, but its highs were higher, lows were lower. It is a must watch (of course do not bring the kids, the R rating was luckily earned and like the first and Logan, made the film that much better).

Score: 4/5

Deadpool 2
Fox/Marvel