The X-Men franchise has once again expanded, with Wade Wilson getting yet another solo movie of his very own. Living up to the reputation of 2016's Deadpool was no easy feat, but Deadpool 2 more than succeeded. In fact, we're here today to declare that Deadpool 2 is actually a superior movie to the original.
On that note, we have assembled a list of reasons why Deadpool 2 is actually superior to the original Deadpool. We have several different points to get to as we dive into the brand new box office hit, so let's kick things off with an emphasis on Deadpool 2's bizarre cast of characters.
It Has More Memorable Characters
By virtue of the fact that it had to tell the origin story of the Merc with the Mouth, Deadpool took a relatively grounded approach to its story and the characters who inhabited it. With that groundwork in place, Deadpool 2 takes the baton from its predecessor and injects an entire army of memorable heroes and villains into the equation, such as X-Force members Cable, Domino and Peter. Beyond that, characters who had less to do in the original (such as Dopinder and Colossus) really shine as David Leitch lets their freak flags fly. With less emphasis placed on Wade himself, Deadpool 2 offers up a cast that's far more diverse and interesting.
The Action Is Better
This is merely a byproduct of bringing in one of the directors behind John Wick, but it's endlessly important nonetheless. David Leitch has become a modern master of on-screen combat, and while Tim Miller's work on the original Deadpool is undoubtedly impressive, the sequel surpasses the action chops of the first film on practically ever level. Wade feels like a highly-trained hand-to-hand combatant, and every character has a fighting style that feels unique to his or her own size, shape and personality. Moreover, the camerawork is smooth, the takes are long and Deadpool 2 manages to stand alongside the instant classic work done in films like John Wick and Atomic Blonde. It's another clear win for Leitch.
The Jokes Are Bolder
Both of the Deadpool films fall under the comedy genre banner, and while there is an argument to be had amongst X-Men fans about which movie is specifically funnier than the other, Deadpool 2 clearly attempts much bolder humor that builds off of the foundation laid in the original. Between the baby legs gag (a clear evolution from the baby hand joke) and the sheer amount of slapstick that the film employs as it explores Wade's ability to regenerate/his high pain tolerance, Deadpool 2 embraces the insane absurdity of the character in previously unseen ways, and the result is an absolute laugh riot that's chock full of hilarious moments from start to finish. The post-credits scene alone is worth the price of admission.
It Has A Stronger Emotional Core
There's a definite argument to be made that the original Deadpool features more menacing villains in the forms of Ajax and Angel Dust. That being said, the stakes of the film are actually much lower than in the sequel, and there's a stronger emotional core that drives the action forward. In Deadpool, the core conflict is that Wade wants Ajax to fix his physical scars so he can be good looking again. In Deadpool 2, Wade struggles to cope with the death of Vanessa while also finding a new sense of purpose helping a misguided boy escape his fate as a tyrannical villain. The stakes are higher, and the emotions are so much richer.
It Feels Like It Fits In The X-Men Universe
Both Deadpool and Deadpool 2 feature appearances by the X-Men team, but the sequel does a far better job of establishing a sense of continuity and creating the feeling that the X-Men genuinely exist in this particular world. There is a much stronger atmosphere of community within the X Mansion (even though the film only really adds Yukio to the main X-Men roster) and the film seems to actively acknowledge that the world actually knows who the X-Men are, as evidenced by the reporter who refers to the X-Men team by name when we're first introduced to Russell. It's a small detail, but it helps create a far more immersive element that will help movies after Deadpool 2 interweave with one another.
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