Deadpool 2 (Film Review)

2018 Marvel Entertainment
Directed by: David Leitch; Written by: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Ryan Reynolds; Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Julian Dennison, and Zazie Beetz; MPAA Rating: R
Nicsperiment Score: 7/10

The first Deadpool is forgettable fun, and Deadpool 2 follows suit. The first film is a self-aware, fourth-wall breaking, near parody of superhero films, featuring over-the-top violence and vulgar humor...and the second film is a self-aware, fourth-wall breaking, near parody of superhero films, featuring over-the-top violence and vulgar humor. Ryan Reynolds once again stars as the silly titular hero, who is disfigured, can heal from any disease or injury, and can't stop talking. This time, Deadpool finds himself in the plot of Rian Johnson's Looper, with youngster, standout Julian Dennison, doing a great job in the troubled child role, and a capable Josh Brolin as Cable, the time-traveling half-cyborg from the future, come to stop the kid from becoming the next Hitler. Deadpool's got to protect the kid, and assemlbes the X-Force in order to do so. The star of this crew is Zazie Beetz as Domino, a luck-as-superpower mutant whose Rube Goldberg like good fortune is the source of many of the film's most inventive visual gags. Also, you don't want her to hit you.
Thankfully, Deadpool 2 is wise enough to let its dramatic moments breathe just enough, giving the film some actual stakes, even if its heart lies in the same makeshift, misfit family tropes you've seen 1,000 times. Though familiar, those moments mostly work (there's an "oh no, I didn't know you were listening!" moment I could have done without), and even if they don't, the movie makes sure the next scatological joke isn't too far behind. The action is solid, though I expected something a little more striking from one of the directors of the legendary John Wick.
Let's be honest, though: my wife enjoyed watching the first film in the theater with me enough a couple years ago to request seeing this second one after she saw the trailer a few months ago. In Deadpool 2's first five minutes, it references itself as something you are watching with your significant other, after leaving your kids with a babysitter. Deadpool 2 knows it is a date movie for couples who enjoy raunchy humor combined with actual heart (even if that heart is dripping in blood and penis jokes). I'm sure it is fun to watch solo, as well. The actors' chemistry and charisma, along with solid gags and set-pieces, ensure fun is had by all. Just don't expect to remember much of it the next morning.