When Deadpool unapologetically burst into our lives in 2016, he was an irreverent revelation. The snarky, pansexual antihero with a disfigured face and mental instability never stopped mocking other superheroes – their earnestness, their high-ground morality, their PG-13 goodness. He was breaking all the rules and having a blast doing it.

However, herein lies the problem. In its determination to be different, Deadpool created a clear set of norms for its titular anti-hero. In this outing, our rebel is following his own rules a little too closely.

When a shocking attack leaves Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) searching for meaning, the uber-cynic reluctantly decides to try to do some good – and instantly fails. Screwing up a showdown with abused and emotionally distressed young mutant Russell (Julian Dennison), Deadpool tries to make amends by protecting Russell from a time-travelling mercenary, Cable (Josh Brolin) – but all does not go to plan.

Unfortunately, the edgy self-awareness of the first movie now seems a tad jaded. Breaking the fourth wall to comment “That’s just lazy writing” doesn’t make the writing any better – just lazy and smug.
Redundant and repetitive, Deadpool 2 clings on to rules about a character who was supposed to show us that nothing is sacred. That may be the one irony Deadpool 2 doesn’t try tap into.