“Deadpool 2” (R)
Twice as crazy, twice as funny and overall twice as entertaining as the insanely entertaining first film, Deadpool 2 is double the fun of the original 2016 blockbuster — and 20 times more daring than any superhero movie out there. Even with the monstrous weight of expectations on his shoulders, Ryan Reynolds has unleashed the beast of Rob Liefeld’s eccentric Marvel comic book character and not only does he smash those expectations, he’s created what is easily one of the best movies of 2018.
“Deadpool 2” begins with Reynolds’ Deadpool/Wade Wilson skewering Hugh Jackman’s Logan/Wolverine, his far more serious, R-rated counterpart in Twentieth Century Fox’s decidedly more graphic Marvel movie universe. Jackman and Logan are merely the first targets, however, of Deadpool’s offbeat, take-no-prisoners humor, as he savages all-things pop culture and topical during his latest superhero mission – to save a young and rebellious mutant, Russell (Julian Dennison) from the crosshairs of Nathan Summers/Cable (Josh Brolin), a time-traveling mutant who comes back from the future, hell-bent on eliminating him.
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AUDIO: Listen to Tim’s review of “Deadpool 2” on “The KQ Morning Show” with Tom Barnard (segment begins 1:30 in).
Loaded with one-liners, political incorrectness and self-aware humor, Deadpool is laugh-out-loud hilarious throughout, as Reynolds injects his quick wit into almost every turn. The great thing is, Reynolds realizes he’s a team player, allowing for returning characters like Blind Al (Leslie Uggams), Weasel (T.J. Miller), Colossus (voice of Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Breanna Hildebrand), as well as new characters Cable and the lucky mutant Domino (Zazie Beetz) time to shine. It’s a perfect marriage of madness made complete by the return of Morena Baccarin as Wade’s true love Vanessa, whose presence looms over the film even though her role is of the smaller, supporting variety this time around.
Naturally, the film has a couple of end credits sequences, so anxious moviegoers are urged to sit patiently as the scenes unfold. The last end credits scene, which obviously won’t be revealed here so not to spoil the fun, may in fact be the best stinger ever to grace a superhero movie. Yes, it’s that brilliant, as is the entire movie to precede it.
Lammometer: 9.5 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
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