Deadpool 2

Though the plot has merit, just set it aside. Be prepared to laugh longer and louder than you have ever done in a movie theater.

If you want to find a film that will have you rockin’ ‘n’ rollin’ from beginning to end, then you have to see Deadpool 2. It is violent, vulgar and one of the most sarcastically funny films to ever hit the big screen. While Avengers: Infinity War had some wonderfully comic moments, Ryan Reynolds Deadpool engages in an act that embraces what I can only call cinematic cannibalism as he mocks himself at every turn. But what also makes this film so magical is the ability of Screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick to profanely mock nearly every other character in the Marvel universe.

It begins with the opening sequence where Deadpool is seeking a way to kill himself, using a ceramic image of Wolverine’s death in last year’s Logan as inspiration. The movie involves the constant struggle of Deadpool’s companions to turn him away from suicidal thoughts, and they finally succeed when Deadpool is literally ripped in half in battle. You will never see a more hysterical sequence than when Deadpool has to try to exist on legs resembling a six-year-old boy as he waits to mature into his former self.

The plot centers around his beloved wife Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). At one moment bent on vengeance, he ends up trying to help Russell, an angry young mutant who has been bullied and abused at his X-Men’s-style home by a diabolical headmaster played by James Marsden. A large, ongoing battle ensues as Russell is hunted by Cable, an alien from another world on his own mission of vengeance. Josh Brolin brings the same strength to his role as the villain Cable as he did playing Thanos in the recent Avengers megahit.

Just as the powers of Thanos required all the Avengers characters combining to save the world, Deadpool assembles his own team. It includes Colossus, the large titanium covered character seen in the original Deadpool film (he resembles Drax in the Guardian of the Galaxies), and Domino (Zazzie Beetz), a young woman whose principal talents involves luck that saves her from harm. And I must include Leslie Uggams who gives a wicked performance as Blind Al, Deadpool’s deranged aunt.

But while all of these characters have some great moments, it is the performance of Julian Dennison as Russell that is memorable. He hates nearly everyone while being singularly dedicated to destroying Mr. Marsden’s headmaster. As young as he is, Mr. Dennison has enormous talent playing confused children and I can only urge you to see a film that I loved, Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016).

Mr. Reynolds, who is one of the co-writers of this film, spends most of his time behind a mask that hides his scarred face. Deadpool’s ability to flamboyantly deride everyone will remind you of the best of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd on the original Saturday Night Live series. Good grief, let me close by saying that the film even takes you to the edge of tears only to discover that the audience is being enticed to make fools of themselves in the same fashion as the movie’s characters.