The R-rated superhero romp gets a recut release on home video
A few years ago, where we were only marginally overwhelmed by the number and scale of superhero movies, one new entry set itself apart with an embrace of an R-rating and an irreverent tone. My initial review was generally positive, praising the low budget, low expectations, and ergo low studio interference approach. A massive box office take meant a sequel was inevitable. But would a followup with a bigger budget and higher expectations lose what helped make the original such a success? New on home video this week, you can find out for yourself; but simply put, Deadpool 2 is a fitting followup to the first outing.
Synopsis:
Wisecracking mercenary Deadpool meets Russell, an angry teenage mutant who lives at an orphanage. When Russell becomes the target of Cable — a genetically enhanced soldier from the future — Deadpool realizes that he’ll need some help saving the boy from such a superior enemy. He soon joins forces with Bedlam, Shatterstar, Domino, and other powerful mutants to protect young Russell from Cable and his advanced weaponry.
But wait…there’s more! If your second time wasn’t enough, your second, second time will blow you away. The Deadpool 2 Super Duper $@%!#& Cut gives you even more of everyone’s favorite red-spandexed superhero now with 15 minutes of brand-new action and jokes lovingly inserted throughout. That’s a whole lotta D in a surprisingly small package!
The first film dabbles in the shades of grey and the questionable morality of its titular character, and the introduction of Russell and the time traveling element here deepens the exploration of such themes. Russell is a boy whose soul and future is on the brink. It’s a nifty plot device, especially with weaving in Cable and his backstory, but moreso for how it opens up Deadpool and the decisions he faces, and has made.
Deadpool 2 is essentially the same as the first, just more. More action, more raunchy humor, and more extreme levels of violence than its predecessor, let alone any other Marvel or DC outings. David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde) steps in as director and delivers a relentless rhythm, both in terms of action and comedy, along with that crude, self-deprecating central character. Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, along with star Ryan Reynolds too, weave in a more plot driven outing this time by snatching away the happiness Wade has rediscovered with Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) and throwing him into the middle of a manhunt by a mutant from the future, forced to take young firestarter (literally) Russell (Hunt for the Wilderpeople’s Julian Dennison) under his wing. Like the first, it adheres to a formula, even if it does acknowledge it with a wink. Plots are unsurprising, with much of the originality coming from the more playful characters and moments they share.
Ryan Reynolds is obviously having a whale of a time, picking up where he left off, only this time he has an expanded roster of characters to play off, most notably Josh Brolin’s time traveling Cable. A brooding sort who has no time for his bullshit, Cable provides a perfect counterpoint to the irreverent merc. We also get a host of superheros (and Peter), making up an X-Force team (think the X-Men B-side) that includes Bedlam (Terry Crews), Shatterstar (Lewis Tan), Zeitgeist (Bill Skarsgård), and last but not least Domino, played by Zazie Beetz. She brings a great swagger to the film, unsurprising seeing as her super ability is luck. Their abilities are largely played for laughs, but often add some interesting dynamics to action scenes. We also get the return of taxi driver/comic relief/mildly problematic stereotype Dopinder (Karan Soni), Colossus (voiced by Stefan Kapicic), and breakout character from the first Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), who gets to play with some different aspects of the character thanks to the introduction of a girlfriend played by Shioli Kutsuna. It’s an affable, albeit motley crew, that are crucial to how entertaining the film is.
The Super Duper $@%!#& Cut
The fact is, a large number of fans will be looking to scoop this one up because of the extended/recut version included in the package. This ‘new’ version of the film is longer, with some new scenes and others switched out for alternate takes. The 15 added minutes do add more to the dynamics between the main villains, as well as expand on a few of the bigger action sequences. Its still an entertaining watch, but for the most part, you can understand why the filmmakers went with the takes they did. It’s mostly worth watching for some of the new scenes added during and after the credits, parts of the film that were already highlights in the original release and here take on an even more daring tone.
The Package
The presentation here is solid, rather than truly impressive. Color saturation, detail, natural hues, and black levels are all good without being amazing. Some scenes that lack definition are perhaps more pronounced by those that do pop well, often bloody action moments. In addition to the super duper cut, plenty of special features are crammed into this release, ones that reflect the film by being more entertaining than insightful:
- Audio Commentary by Ryan Reynolds, David Leitch, Rhett Reese, and Paul Wernick (Theatrical Version Only): Good energy and banter between those assembled. Probably the most illuminating feature in regard to the actual production included.
- Gag Reel: Less amusing than the film itself, TBH.
- Deleted/Extended Scenes: Understandably excised; see the super duper cut for some of this.
- Until Your Face Hurts — Alt Takes: Shows off some of the improv work.
- Deadpool’s Lips are Sealed — Secrets and Easter Eggs: For the comic book geeks, a fun guide to all the secrets hidden in the film that you may have already spotted, and connections to the wider comic book universe.
- The Most Important X-Force Member: Shout out to my boy Peter.
- Deadpool Family Values — Cast of Characters: Quick rundown of the new cast members.
- David Leitch Not Lynch — Directing DP2: Behind the scenes footage focusing on the action sequences. Pretty cool extra.
- Roll with the Punches — Action and Stunts: A look at the practical side of the action sequences.
- The Deadpool Prison Experiment: Some footage and interviews that center around the prison sequence.
- Chess with Omega Red: Silly but fun behind the scenes segment.
- Swole and Sexy: Compares and contrasts some of the supporting actors with a more honed specimen.
- “3-Minute Monologue”: Brolin plays it up for the camera while being made up as Cable.
- Deadpool’s Fun Sack 2: A compilation of silly videos and stills.
- Digital download code
The Bottom Line
Deadpool 2 takes everything the first film did and cranks it up another notch. In doing so, the film stumbles more often than the first outing, but careens forward with such speed, intensity, and humor, it’s easy to let it slide. This release comes with with a wealth of extras that add even more entertainment to an already raucous experience.
Deadpool 2 the Super Duper $@%!#& Cut is available on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD from August 21st, 2018.