After warming hearts with a love story in the first Deadpool, Wade Wilson returns to bestow upon us a tale about family and the effects of introducing a child into one’s life. Unfortunately, for this story to be told, the love of Deadpool’s life, Vanessa, has to take a bullet within the first ten minutes of the movie just after discussing with Wade about how they should start a family. This spurs the mercenary to try killing himself to meet his lover in the afterlife, only to be told what can essentially be summed up as “No, this film needs a plot.” One thing leads to another, and he meets a mutant child with a bad case of anger issues possibly onset by molestation or torture. Wade tries helping the kid, but it doesn’t turn out so well, since this crazy time traveler named Cable went back in time to kill the kid, Russell, since, in the future, he goes on a rampage and ends up killing Cable’s wife and daughter. Cable, played by Josh Brolin, is the dark and gritty character meant to contrast with Deadpool’s zany antics and personality, and it works so well. It’s just a good year to be Josh Brolin.

Deadpool 2’s humor goes above and beyond that of the first film by improving on gags introduced in Deadpool and upping the amount of fourth-wall breakage and references. For example, Deadpool takes a shot at Cable when he quips that the time traveler is so dark and gritty and wonders if he’s in the wrong movie, questioning “Are you sure you’re not from the DC Universe?” Another shot at DC is taken when Deadpool kills Ryan Reynolds (himself) in a credits scene as the actor receives the script for the infamous Green Lantern movie that I had the misfortune of watching when it came out. Oh, the film also outright spoils 2017’s Logan in both the first minute of the film and on a promotional poster.

While the story itself isn’t revolutionary in its actual plot or progression, the humor and wonderful performances by the actors really helps to make this one of the most entertaining superhero movies to date. The comedic writing calls attention once again to the overused tropes in superhero films and subverts them at the same time. This is best exemplified when Deadpool spends a portion of the movie putting together a team of knock-off X-Men (called “X-Force”; yes, it is derivative), only for them to all (sans Domino and Deadpool himself) to horrifically die as soon as their first mission starts. Don’t worry though, Peter is resurrected through time travel in a credits scene. Ryan Reynolds once again proves that he’s the best actor to play this character, as his delivery and execution is phenomenal. The secondary cast also does a fantastic job. Zazie Beetz, not only has one of the coolest names in existence, but does a wonderful job at portraying Domino, the straight man to Deadpool’s insane troll tendencies. They also got Celine Dion to perform a song for this one, and it even plays over an incredibly classy introductory credits sequence!

The film is especially timely in its release, as it follows the more serious Avengers: Infinity War (shameless plug for my review). So for anyone who may or may not be torn up over that movie, Deadpool 2 helps to ease the pain like ice cream helps a broken heart. Unless you’re lactose intolerant. Sorry.

Overall, there’s really not much more for me to say about this film, other than that I really enjoyed it and that it was one of the most entertaining theater-going experiences I’ve ever had. So, to supplement my lack of input, I mercilessly tracked down two other big-time Marvel fans. My acquaintance, Matthew Tully, bluntly told me that “it was better than the first one” (and he LOVED the first one). Another, Brooke Shellman, claimed that “if you liked the first film, you’ll love this one,” and that it has “a completely different sense of humor from every other Marvel movie.”

Please go see this movie if you haven’t, okay? Even then, I’m not sure why you’re reading a spoiler-packed review if you didn’t but… that’s your problem, I suppose.