Deadpool 2 is an OTT delight, says Rashid Irani

Wade Wilson aka Deadpool is back with a bang. The sarcasm-spewing antihero from the Marvel movie-verse takes centrestage in this sequel to the 2016 smash hit.

Expect action, comedy and irreverence (‘You sure you’re not from the DC Universe?’); scabrous language and withering putdowns.

This time around, the titular mercenary (Ryan Reynolds, as much a treat as last time) must square off with a formidable new foe — a time-travelling mutant named Cable (Josh Brolin, last seen as Thanos in the Avengers: Infinity War, consolidating his reputation as the go-to Marvel villain).

Sporting a bionic eye and cybernetic arm, Cable is determined to kill an teenager blessed — or should that be cursed — with fire-generating powers.

Assembling a gender-neutral ‘superhero’ team named X-Force, Deadpool tries to steer the 14-year-old (Julian Dennison) down the path of righteousness. In one of the film’s more audacious twists, the do-gooders are aided by an unlikely ally.

Taking over from Deadpool director Tim Miller, stunt coordinator-turned-filmmaker David Leitch (Atomic Blonde) stages a series of exhilarating action set pieces. The script is unusually poignant for a comic book blockbuster, emphasising values of family and friendship.

The crack supporting ensemble includes Karan Soni as a taxi driver desperately seeking criminal notoriety, and Zazie Beetz as the gutsy gal whose superpower is luck.

The peppy soundtrack features tunes by Celine Dion, Cher and Peter Gabriel, among others.

Deliriously over-the-top from start to finish, the follow-up may not be as novel as its predecessor, but there’s no denying that Deadpool 2 is hugely entertaining.