More to ‘Deadpool’ than humor, ultraviolence

X-Force, from left: Zazie Beetz, Bill Skarsgård, Ryan Reynolds, Lewis Tan and Terry Crews

Love him or loathe him, the Merc with a Mouth returns in the riotous “Deadpool 2,” a worthwhile sequel that relentlessly skewers an assortment of things as much as it effaces itself.

But, this irreverent offering, while sometimes disjointedly paced, still offers an emotionally stirring tale that doesn’t get lost in the mix of gut-busting jokes and ultraviolent fisticuffs.

With his origin story out of the way, Deadpool, aka Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), continues life as an assassin who goes after bad guys, while planning the future with his girlfriend, Vanessa (Morena Baccarin).

The heroic X-Men, particularly Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) haven’t given up on him, thinking that he might actually become one of them.

They let Deadpool tag along as a trainee in a make-or-break mission involving a young pyrokinetic, Rusty (Julian Dennison).

Uncertain future

The future also looks uncertain for the mercenary, as a time-traveling cyborg, Cable (Josh Brolin), shows up and causes trouble for Deadpool and his friends, from old pals to new ones assembled for this installment—the strike force with the more “gender-friendly” name, X-Force.

“Deadpool 2” focuses on that, and the titular antihero’s search for purpose.

While not exactly role-model material, Wade Wilson manages to be more heroic in “Deadpool 2,” showing that there’s an unexplored facet to the character.

He isn’t just a quipping and snarky killing machine here, surprisingly.

And, as the fourth wall-breaking protagonist declares, this sequel has to be dramatic, so it’s grudgingly inspired by Wolverine’s affecting sendoff in last year’s acclaimed “Logan.”

Deadpool (center) meets Domino (Beetz, left) and Cable (Josh Brolin).

No holds barred

“Deadpool” established previously that the film series is for adults who wish for a no-holds-barred and utterly hilarious iteration, what the comic book character could truly be without censorship.
He’s still a pop culture-referencing, inside joke-dispensing antihero, a deadly and demented version of Spider-Man if you will, with the body count and penchant for gory kills to back it all up.

There are welcome additions, as well.

Brolin, last seen as another Marvel icon, Thanos, in “Avengers: Infinity War,” is a no-nonsense combatant with a personal crusade.

Flashy in her own way is Domino (Zazie Beetz), whose power is extreme good luck—for her. She figures in some fun, complicated action sequences.

There are changes, mainly regarding some actors’ race—Domino and Shatterstar (Lewis Tan) are Caucasian (the former, a chalk-white variation) in the comic books. They’re African-American and Asian-American here, respectively, but it’s a deviation that ultimately doesn’t matter.

The extra scenes during the end credits are not to be missed—these are hilarious and cathartic, possibly more than the jokes in the film combined.

“Deadpool” is unique that way, realizing its potential for insane hi-jinks further, and shamelessly going for quick, dark laughs without missing a beat!