"Ryan Reynolds"

2016 · Tim Miller · 108 min · Action / Comedy

Deadpool proved that a superhero film could be profane, self-aware, and R-rated while still connecting with a massive audience. Ryan Reynolds owns every frame, the fourth-wall humor lands more often than it misses, and the romance at the center gives the whole thing an emotional anchor that most films in the genre lack. A forgettable villain and a plot that never rises above its formula keep it from greatness, but the sheer force of personality carries it further than a $58 million budget had any right to go. It blew open the door for R-rated superhero films and remains one of the most entertaining entries the genre has produced.

2018 · David Leitch · 119 min · Action / Comedy

Deadpool 2 goes bigger than its predecessor in nearly every way, and that cuts both ways. The addition of Cable, Domino, and a full ensemble gives the film more to play with, and David Leitch's action pedigree produces set pieces that are a clear step up from the original. Ryan Reynolds remains the engine that makes everything run, and enough of the humor connects to keep the ride entertaining. But a controversial story choice that sidelines Vanessa, pacing that sags when the jokes thin out, and a sense that the formula is running closer to empty keep it from matching the original's spark. It's a good time that occasionally settles for being a loud one.