“Deadpool 2” is directed by David Leitch and is the 11th film in the X-Men series and is also a direct sequel to the first film in 2016. Ryan Reynolds returns as the “Merc with the mouth” and joined by Josh Brolin, Zazie Beets, Julian Dennison and Jack Kesy. Morena Baccarin, TJ Miller and Brianna Hildebrand return to their previous characters. After the success of the first film, Fox announced plan for sequel in late 2016 but after director Tom Miller left the project due to creative difference with Ryan Reynolds, Leitch was brought on and filming began in 2017.

After letting a human & drug trafficker get away, that decision comes to back to haunt Deadpool (Reynolds) as his girlfriend is killed and feels ultimately responsible. Deadpool then joins the X-Men, a group of mutants who protect the world for threats but goeswrong Deadpool along with a 12-year-old angry mutant who calls himself Firefist (Dennison) are sent to prison. There, they encounter a mysterious mercenary from the future with robotic body parts and armed for war. This mysterious man, Cable (Brolin), has traveled through time looking for the mutant who killed his family, Firefist. Not wanting to see the kid get hurt or killed Deadpool tries to fend off Cable but when he realizes that he might be stronger and deadlier than predicted he forms group called X-Force which include Domino (Beets) a mutant with “Lucky” abilities among others. Their mission is to get to Firefist before Cable does.

The idea that Fox would even attempt to top the first film is admirable but also puts pressure on the sequel. This definitely delivers and didn’t disappoint. Reynolds was made for this character. Much like everyone says its hard to see anyone playing Wolverine besides Hugh Jackman or Tony Stark besides Robert Downey Jr., the same thing can be said about Reynolds as Deadpool. Everything from the comedy to the action was on point from beginning to end. Where the film begins to stumble a bit is the story.

The main storyline is very similar to other films like “John Wick 2” and the first 2 “Terminator” films as far time travel and bringing our hero to big screen once again. The motives for this felt the same as the first with minor changes here and there but neither of these issues take anything away from the film overall. Another issue with the film is the concept of the X-Force. With the exception of Domino, none of the group serve of a purpose for the story. Even with great actors in the characters like Terry Crews, Bill Skarsgard and Brad Pitt playing these characters, you see them one time and then that’s it. ??? The marketing made it seem that they building for another possible spinoff but throws all out the window in the execution. But then again that’s what Deadpool does, changing the guard of the superhero genre.

Overall, this was great action film that really gave the R rated genre a run for its money. While it wasn’t as good as the first film it still does the character justice and really drives home the fact that fans like myself are dying for Ryan Reyonlds’ Deadpool to team up with the man himself, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.