In the Fox X-Men universe, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) tries to resurrect the fallen Logan (Hugh Jackman). While fighting the Time Variance Authority, we then flashback to see Deadpool enjoying a quiet retirement with his previously deceased friends and now ex-girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). Soon, however, the Time Variance Authority comes a-knocking to offer Wade a chance to join the Sacred Timeline, a.k.a., the Marvel Universe!

Deadpool (2016), like the character, was a scrappy production with a humble budget that led to a very successful box office. Forging ahead with a new director and double the budget, the sequel lent further into its fourth-wall-breaking humour and heavy dramatic stakes with similar box-office results. Under a new studio in line with a franchise 33 movies deep already, this outing has all the hallmarks of a Marvel Cinematic Universe entry, for good and for bad.

Shedding logical character, plot and story progression, the movie instead relies on pure fan service, giving audiences what it thinksthey want. Whereas the plot and in-world rules are completely nonsensical, the movie is at its strongest when our odd couple are together, verbally and physically sparring while being forced to team up to save their respective universes.

Like the $1.9 billion grossing Spiderman: No Way Home,cameos from the previous Fox Studios Marvel movies are plentiful, paired with tongue-in-cheek commentary on the corporate replacing of its intellectual properties.

Verdict: A vapid, homogeneous, fun ride, a world away from the artistic attempts of its founding Fox forefathers. 2 stars.

Luke McWilliams, themovieclub.net. Viewed at Dendy.