Ryan Reynolds Is Back With More Mayhem And Mischief In ‘Deadpool 2’

Deadpool 2 (M18)

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin

Directed by David Leitch

The Merc with a Mouth’s (Ryan Reynolds, turning his charm machine to full blast) second adventure finds him as the unlikely protector of a teenage mutant (Julian Dennison), who’s marked for death by a time-travelling, half-man, half-machine mercenary named Cable (Josh Brolin, looking like he can poop bullets on cue).

Total meta meltdown ensues — brutal-as-hell fisticuffs, salty language and snarky fourth wall-breaking zingers (the ones aimed at DC movies really stung, while a gag about Frozen will forever change the way you watch that movie).

Elsewhere, Atlanta’s Zazie Beetz, as Domino, a mutant whose power is luck, is a welcome addition to the sequel — directed by Atomic Blonde and John Wick helmer David Leitch— which walks a fine line between a straight-up action flick and a parody.

It isn’t perfect but it’s fun enough. But sometimes, it has so much fun that it undercuts the emotional moments. (***)