Deadpool 2 (2018)

The Merc with the Mouth returns in this demented step-brother to the X-Men franchise. What happens when someone who can't die loses the will to live? This installment introduces the time-traveling Cable who arrives from the future in order to murder a kid who will eventually grow up to be a villain. Can he be redeemed? Also in tow is the entire X-Force team, including Domino (whose superpower is "luck") and Peter. Yep. Just Peter.

This sequel is not quite as iconic as the original, but still above-average comic book fare that is better than it has any right to be. I like to think of these movies more as parodies of the genre because they're chock full of hilarious sight-gags and subversive meta humor. It also manages to pull off that rare balancing act of being side-splittingly funny while tugging at the heartstrings in unexpected ways. Watch it all the way through for some very satisfying credit scenes that are essential to the plot (and the future of the franchise).

3½ grotesque baby legs out of 5

Note: A (bleeped) PG-13 version of this movie was released called Once Upon a Deadpool, which features a brand new wraparound story with Fred Savage, spoofing his role in The Princess Bride, that's well worth your time. An extended unrated cut was also released, with 15 additional minutes, which is the preferred edition to seek out—although all three versions contain alternate takes/jokes, so you can roll the dice.

DEADPOOL [2016]

Animator/director Tim Miller, the guys who wrote Zombieland and actor Ryan Reynolds bring the foul-mouthed Canadian anti-hero, Deadpool, to life in this spin-off of the X-men comic book movie franchise.
A wisecracking mercenary who is dying from cancer decides to take part in an experimental cure that leaves him horribly scarred, but with amazing healing powers, sending him to go on a violent revenge frenzy.
Constantly breaking the fourth wall for kicks, Deadpool makes full use of it's hard R rating which results in some pretty extreme violence, filthy language and various objects up one's anus.  Reynolds was born for this role and his dedication to it raises the quality of the what could have easily been pure trash.  Instead, the film is a ruthlessly funny comic book flick that teeters on the edge of becoming the film it aims to make fun of.

3½ crime-fighting shit swizzlers out of 5

BIG HERO 6 [2014]

Disney finally milks the inevitable cashcow of using their ownership of Marvel and developing an animated film, based on the little known mini-series Sunfire & Big Hero 6.
The Disney-ized version of Big Hero 6 is notably cuter and not really at all like it's source material but still follows it's basic idea and characters, excluding Silver Samurai (who mostly sort of appeared in 2013's The Wolverine instead).  The changes will probably tick-off hardcore fans of the comics but, really, it's for the better because there's almost next to nothing wrong with this wonderfully crafted film.  It's cleverly tight pacing, refreshingly unique backdrop and beautifully rendered animation all compliment the big ol' heart that will touch even the oldest of souls.

4 inevitable after-credits Marvel scenes out of 5

CLOVERFIELD [2008]

With director Matt Reeves, writer Drew Goddard and producers J.J. Abrams & Bryan Burk on board, you know you're guaranteed for some mindless SFX riddled good times with the found footage monster movie Cloverfield.
The story?  There's a giant monster in post 9/11 New York and it's taking down buildings like they're popsicle sticks.  If that's not enough for you then you're probably best leaving now to save your braincells.  If that's what you crave, then this one delivers the goods like an exploding jiffy pop pan.  There's no hidden subtext or deep character moments to follow but it's rather a LOUD bash 'n crash party that doesn't let up until the superbly Michael Giacchino scored end credits are complete.

3 Dharma Initiatives out of 5