‘Blu-ray or Bust’ - DEADPOOL 2

‘Blu-ray or Bust’

DEADPOOL 2(2018, R/UR, 119/134 minutes, MARVEL STUDIOS/20^th CENTURY FOX)

When I reviewed the theatrical version of this film, I was a wee bit disappointed.

You see, I wanted something as snarky and comical and spontaneous as the first film was.  I wanted more of that sarcasm, more of the quick wit, more of the terribly inappropriate jokes and extreme violence that made the original such a giddy dive into that animalistic part of the human brain which craves bedlam and lunacy.  What I got was something a tad darker, something which, at times, felt more like a grounded superhero film—the same types that DEADPOOL had such a marvelous time exploiting for its own perverse pleasure.  So, I gave it a “B+” in my initial review, something I would stand by even today.

But oh, kids, what a difference fifteen minutes makes.

The premise of the film is that Wade “Deadpool” Wilson (the still hilarious Ryan Reynolds) is enjoying a life of crimefighting via dismemberment when tragedy strikes.  He finds redemption (of sorts) with young Russell, aka “Firefist” (Julian Dennison from THE HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE), who is at odds with his powers.  He wants to fireball the headmaster of the orphanage where he was tortured for being a mutant.  Enter Cable (Josh Brolin, whose straight-guy delivery makes for some hilarious lines), who is hell-bent on killing Russell for barbequing his family—in the future.  Deadpool decides that the only way to stop Cable from completing his mission is to form a team he dubs The X-Force, which leads to…well, no spoilers here, as usual.

What I will say is that while a few alternate lines replace some of the jokes from the theatrical version, the quality of the story has improved immensely.  There is more to the opening montage of Deadpool’s violent and hilarious vigilantism, as well as longer moments of character development which enhance the story of every character.  Basically, it is much more coherent and funny film about family than the theatrical attempt, and is, honestly, the definitive version of the film.

Although it is fun to watch both, just to compare.  But the longer cut is the better of the two.  Of course, no matter which version you watch, this release is essential on Blu-ray.  From director David Leitch’s (JOHN WICK, ATOMIC BLONDE) brilliant use of color (which adds to the comic-book feel of the movie), to the unlikely soundtrack (when is the last time you heard Celine Dion and Dolly Parton in an R-rated superhero film?), this all needs to be experienced in the superior format.  Also, there is a veritable treasure trove of extras; the disc includes several behind-the-scenes docs, one of the most fascinating being how they managed security on the film, not to mention the Gag Reel, all of the promotional ads—some of which I had not seen yet—and Josh Brolin listening to dub step for the first time.

Next up in the Deadpool saga will be a film devoted to the X-Force.  No release date has been set, but there is plenty here to keep us busy until then.  Just stick to the better version, and you’ll be fine.

Film Grade: B+ for the R-rated version, A for the Super Duper Cut

Special Features: A

Blu-ray Necessary: Abso-freakin’-lutely

- T.S. Kummelman