The irresistible charm of Ryan Reynolds triumphs again. Deadpool 2 lands on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download formats with a terrific additional 15 minutes of action, jokes and Wade Wilson and his alter ego Deadpool doing what they do best—kicking major butt, bringing their unique form of justice. Above all else, it deliciously allows audiences to further fluctuate between smiley smirks to laugh-out-loud mayhem that it experienced in theaters.
The first Deadpool landed in 2016 and became a surprise sensation, both at the box office and with critics (Rotten Tomatoes has it at 83-percent). It was subversive. It was bodacious and above else, it was endlessly entertaining. The Marvel character (one of several who reside at Fox) seemed like the most unlikely of superhero hits for the reasons mentioned previously. It was a hard “R” rated film and before Deadpool wreaked his patented version of havoc, it was inconceivable for an adult-centric comic book movie to stand toe-to-toe with the big boys of the genre, financially (and critically for that matter).
But that is exactly what happened. The surprise factor this time around was still there in that all the boxes of a sequel were in full effect and none of it felt contrived, insincere, or worse… a cash grab.
This time out, we find Deadpool saving the day as only he can—with a wink and a smile. Before long, it becomes clear that he needs help, so he sends out a casting call for other mutants like himself to come and become part of his soon-to-be-monikered X-Force. Their greatest strength—beyond their supernatural talents—may be the fact that they put up with the wise cracking, unorthodox heroism of our titular character. It’s a fantastic group that joins Mr. Pool, most notably Zazie Beetz’s Domino and of course who could forget Peter (Rob Delaney). Every team should have a Peter… I’m just sayin’.
The timing of all of this X-Force team building could not be better.
Cable (Josh Brolin, cornering the superhero market of the summer after his triumphant turn in Avengers: Infinity War) has arrived from the future and the assassin has one thing on his agenda and it’s unleashing all of his weapons on a mutant boy, Firefist (Julian Dennison). Something about who this boy grows up to be, according to Cable, is dangerous beyond dangerous and he must be stopped before his wrath commences. Deadpool sees a kid with the potential to be molded into something good, so the assassin from the future and our favorite foul-mouthed hero have a couple of fight scenes that are beyond entertaining and thrilling… and hilarious. After all, it wouldn’t be a Deadpool movie if humor and action weren’t holding hands as tightly as a couple of teens on prom night.
One of Deadpool 2’s greatest strengths, as is the case with the first one, is how its self-aware nature serves as a means to provide laughs throughout. This all while knowing that it is collectively winking at the audience and itself. This is a film that features dialogue about sequels, all the while being one. For example, our hero seems to be obsessed with Logan, aka Wolverine.
From beginning to the end of the film, I had a permagrin on my face at the least and was laughing immensely at the most. Reynolds and Deadpool are a match made in cinematic heaven. Toss in the brash charm of Brolin as Cable and there are more scenes that literally pop off the screen than can be counted.
Deadpool 2 is one of those films that as soon as the credits rolled in the theaters, I knew it was a must-own whenever it landed on home video. It requires more than one viewing. Witnessing it, coupled with the first film, makes for a fantastic at-home double feature of the highest order. Having inhaled the film once again, the bonus features truly add to the need to add this one to the collection for anyone who appreciates the Deadpool universe.
For more on the film itself, check out our theatrical Deadpool 2 review.
First off, those 15 minutes of added action and humor hits a home run. There are some triumphant additions and as such, it is the rarest of moments for a home video release. The Super $@%!#& Cut edition is the one I’d recommend going to first (both are included with the home video release). There is even a soundtrack change that is welcomed, somewhat out of left-field and upon reflection, isn’t that what Deadpool is all about? When something occurs on the screen that surprises—especially those of us who have seen everything, or it at least feels that way—it is such a joy that should be embraced and celebrated. Do not want to give any specifics away, but let’s just say that certain words are changed from the theatrical release and it will be noticeable. Often a home video release with additional scenes has the viewer looking back when it concludes and asking the question, “What was the difference?”
That is so not the case with Deadpool 2 and it’s Super $@%!#& Cut.
There was a director change from the first film to the second, and sometimes that does not work so well. Other times, it is just what the franchise needed. David Leitch Not Lynch: Directing DP2 illustrates how the Atomic Blonde helmer could not have been a better choice to lead this madcap group of movie miscreants into new territory. The featurette features interviews with the cast and Leitch and where it really pops is when the video shifts to the set and witnessing the director doing his thing it really hits home. This is a franchise who has found its leader and here’s hoping that if there is a third one (who we kidding, when there is a third one), Leitch is still the one behind the camera.
Deadpool Family Values: Cast of Characters is a terrific 15-minute journey through the Deadpool family tree, that has grown immensely this time around. Meeting these richly developed characters during the film itself is enriched by this featurette that takes us a little deeper into the who, what and where of Deadpool’s new additions and returning favorites.
Speaking of new blood, one of the candidates for MVP must be Peter. The scene-stealer gets his due with The Most Important X-Force Member. Hearing Delaney’s take on what could have been a thankless role that he turned into one of the movie’s most memorable is such pure joy.
Roll With the Punches: Action and Stunts provides some above average insight into the action sequences and firmly answers those questions we all have when witnessing those moments of movie magic, “How on earth did they do that?” At almost seven minutes, it’s a wee-bit too short. But, guess it is better to have them wanting more!
There was so much secrecy while Deadpool 2 was filming, it was incredible how much filmmakers and the team behind the making of the blockbuster hit was able to keep from the public. One of the huge reveals was whether the adored Marvel character Juggernaut would appear. It’s nice to know that Reynolds provided the voice for the character. That and more is revealed in Deadpool’s Lips Are Sealed: Secrets and Easter Eggs. Come for the astounding lengths to which the production team kept those secrets secret and stay for the Easter Eggs that you will want to go back to the film itself and see how you managed to miss such little gems.
Until Your Face Hurts: Alt Takes is a pretty decent look at some of the “other” options the director was given with alternative lines and through interesting interviews, we see how choices were made that we wound up seeing on the big screen.
Some of the more electric moments in the entire film is when the action shifts to a prison locale. The Deadpool Prison Experiment takes us inside the making of that segment of the film and once again provides some priceless insight into the directing brilliance of Deadpool 2’s helmer.
3 Minute Monologue further shows the brilliance that is Brolin as this featurette takes something as simple as him getting into his full Cable make-up and illustrates the magic that the actor brings to this role, and honestly, what he delivers to everything he does on the big screen.
Lastly, Deadpool’s Fun Sack 2 is a double whammy of videos and stills that should entertain fans of the character to the moon and back. Particularly sensational is when we get to see the collective that is the series of videos (35-plus minutes!) together that range from teasers for the movie itself (such as Deadpool as artist Bob Ross), the Stan Lee cameo and much, much more.
Film Grade: A+
Bonus Features: A-