--- title: "Deadpool 2: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/deadpool-2/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/deadpool-2" critics_score: 62 critics_reviews: 28 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Deadpool 2 (2018): what the critics said Critics' score 62 from 28 reviews: 12 positive, 11 mixed, 5 negative. The reviews lean towards qualified approval, with praise clustering around Ryan Reynolds’s comic timing and the supporting cast. Zazie Beetz’s Domino is a recurring highlight, while Josh Brolin and Julian Dennison draw notice for giving the comedy some emotional weight. Several critics find the sequel funnier than the original and credit David Leitch with energetic, inventive action. Even some less enthusiastic notices find individual gags and set-pieces worth the return. The spread is wide, however. The Evening Standard celebrates the relentless verbal and visual comedy; Vulture finds the jokes mostly unsuccessful and the action undistinguished, while praising Brolin. Between those positions, reservations centre on repetition, overstuffed plotting and pop-culture references that wear thin. Several critics also question how subversive a film can be when it follows familiar superhero conventions. The disagreement is largely over whether the performers and the better jokes compensate for that familiarity. ## Evening Standard — Matthew Norman Rating 5/5. 20 June 2018. Norman calls it a superior sequel, praising its relentless verbal and visual gags. He especially singles out Ryan Reynolds’s brilliant, perfectly suited performance. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/deadpool-2-review-the-merc-with-the-mouth-is-back-and-better-than-ever-a3842551.html) ## Empire — John Nugent Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 14 May 2018. The critic finds the sequel funnier and more entertaining than the original, while retaining its irreverent superhero parody. They single out Ryan Reynolds’ performance and David Leitch’s muscular, inventive action for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/deadpool-2-2-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — THR Staff Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 14 May 2018. The critic finds the sequel as funny as its predecessor and a refreshing antidote to superhero fatigue. They praise its fluid mix of bloody action and lewd comedy, anchored by Ryan Reynolds’s irreverent performance. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/deadpool-2-review-1111085/) ## The i Paper — Matthew Turner Rating ★★★★. 15 May 2018. Turner finds the sequel a funny, satisfying antidote to superhero fatigue. He praises its rapid-fire jokes, energetic action and strong performances, though he notes that the profanity sometimes goes too far. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/deadpool-2-review-154464) ## Total Film — Kevin Harley Rating 4/5. 15 May 2018. The critic says this is a rare comedy sequel that improves on its predecessor. They praise its outrageous set-pieces and Leitch’s energetic, extravagantly gratuitous action. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/deadpool-2-review/) ## Film Comment — Michael Sragow Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). Sragow views the sequel as an improvement and a satisfying return to the comic’s roots. He praises its pulpy, irreverent spirit. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/deep-focus-deadpool-2/) ## Radio Times — Emma Simmonds Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. The headline suggests the sequel stays true to the original’s irreverent spirit. The standfirst highlights the return of the potty-mouthed hero with new companions. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/deadpool-2-review-remains-true-to-the-originals-middle-finger-brandishing-spirit/) ## Variety — Andrew Barker Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 14 May 2018. Barker finds the sequel sharper and funnier than the original, though its relentless rudeness and uneven jokes sometimes undermine it. He singles out the X-Force team-building scenes as the film’s funniest stretch. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/deadpool-2-film-review-1202810071/) ## Screen Daily — Fionnuala Halligan Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. The page identifies this as a review but does not reveal the critic’s verdict. Its standfirst notes Deadpool’s return and a new team of warriors, but the paywall hides what the critic singles out for praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/deadpool-2-review/5129369.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 14 May 2018. The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No praise or complaint can be verified from the provided page text. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/movies/deadpool-2-review-ryan-reynolds.html) ## The Guardian — Steve Rose Rating 3/5. 15 May 2018. The review finds the sequel funny and charming but less subversive than it aims to be. It praises Ryan Reynolds’ skill at blending comedy with emotional pain, while criticizing the film’s treatment of its diverse characters. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/may/15/deadpool-2-review-ryan-reynolds-weapons-grade-gags-subversive) ## Sight and Sound — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 24 May 2018. Newman finds the film’s humor hit-and-miss, with wearisome stretches before the story comes together. He praises Julian Dennison’s funny performance and the midpoint jail-convoy sequence, while criticizing jokes that have outlived their welcome. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/deadpool-2-review-super-mouth-runs) ## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole Rating 2/4. 15 May 2018. Cole finds the film uneven, with its parody and jokes often falling flat. He praises the chaotic X-Force parachute sequence and the chemistry between Reynolds and Brolin. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/deadpool-2/) ## Little White Lies — Hannah Strong Rating 2/2/2. 15 May 2018. Strong finds the film juvenile, repetitive and culturally stale. She singles out Zazie Beetz’s Domino as its highlight, while noting there is little competition for that distinction. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/deadpool-2) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 2/5. 14 May 2018. The review finds the sequel’s jokes wearing thin and its plotting more conventional. It singles out the humor as the main weakness, saying it loses its impact. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/deadpool-2) ## Los Angeles Times — Jen Yamato Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 14 May 2018. Yamato finds the sequel overfamiliar, arguing that its snark and gross-out humor have lost the original’s freshness. She singles out Celine Dion’s theme song as the film’s one genuinely surprising highlight. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-deadpool-2-review-20180514-story.html) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 17 May 2018. Brody finds the sequel deadening despite some improvements over the original. He faults its corporate feel and argues that its diverse cast and self-aware jokes conceal a politically hollow, contextless story. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/deadpool-2-a-deadening-sequel-that-feels-like-simulacrum) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 14 May 2018. Edelstein finds the film tedious and predictable, with jokes that mostly miss and action that feels undistinguished. He praises Josh Brolin’s dignified, affecting performance as Cable and notes that a few gags land. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/deadpool-2-review.html) ## Digital Spy — Hugh Armitage Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. The critic finds the sequel smart, emotionally engaging, and more consistently funny than the original. They single out Zazie Beetz’s Domino as a standout, while wishing she had more screen time. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a856766/deadpool-2-review-spoiler-free-ryan-reynolds-sequel/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). The review finds the sequel an almost perfect follow-up that builds on the original’s appeal. It praises Julian Dennison’s comic timing and vulnerability, while noting that the pop-culture gags can become overwhelming. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/deadpool-2-film-review-2314606) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 4/5. 18 May 2018. Kaye finds the sequel bigger, funnier, and better than the first, with more story and stronger characters. He particularly praises David Leitch’s coherent, visceral action and Josh Brolin’s layered performance as Cable. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/deadpool-2-review-bigger-funnier-and-better-than-the-first/) ## Eye for Film — Max Crawford Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. Crawford finds the sequel entertaining and says it succeeds through Ryan Reynolds’s appeal and its familiar formula. He praises Josh Brolin’s Cable and Zazie Beetz’s Domino, while noting that the second act sags and Negasonic Teenage Warhead is underused. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/deadpool-2-2018-film-review-by-stuart-crawford) ## /Film — Chris Evangelista Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 21 May 2018. The critic finds the sequel a mostly successful improvement, though its lazy plotting and self-undercutting jokes weaken it. They especially praise Ryan Reynolds’ comic timing and Zazie Beetz’s effortlessly charming performance as Domino. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/558383/deadpool-2-spoiler-review/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the sequel entertaining but less satisfying as a whole. They praise David Leitch’s energetic visuals and single out the action sequence featuring the major players. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/deadpool-2-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. The critic finds the sequel entertaining and amusing, but ultimately a by-the-numbers replay that does not raise the stakes. Zazie Beetz’s performance as Domino is singled out as especially enjoyable. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/deadpool-2-film-review-ryan-reynolds-josh-brolin/) ## The Skinny — Jamie Dunn Rating ★★★. 18 May 2018. Dunn finds the sequel funny and improved, but not as subversive as it imagines itself to be. He praises the inspired mutant-team sequence and Julian Dennison’s comic delivery, while faulting the film for familiar superhero clichés and underusing Domino. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/deadpool-2) ## The Ringer — Sean Fennessey Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2018. Fennessey finds the film wildly entertaining but overstuffed, with its excess sometimes undermining the story. He praises Ryan Reynolds’s sharp, chatty performance and the film’s willingness to say what other superhero movies leave unsaid. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2018/05/18/movies/deadpool-2-ryan-reynolds-josh-brolin-review) ## Consequence — Dominick Suzanne-Mayer Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2018. The critic finds the sequel uneven: often funny and clever, but weighed down by bloat and self-consciousness. Domino’s inventive action scenes and Zazie Beetz’s delivery stand out as highlights. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2018/05/film-review-deadpool-2/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/deadpool-2.md