The first Guardians of the Galaxy was one of the biggest surprises in recent film memory and certainly one of the most joyous experiences in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. That terrific band of A-holes are back in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and the film certainly delivers the joy throughout, but one thing cannot be helped… the surprise is gone. How could it not be?
Writer-director James Gunn does his best to raise the bar, take fans ever higher, add fresh characters and simultaneously expand his universe that pushes the overall MCU narrative deeper and wider.
One of the biggest questions to arise out of the first Guardians installment plays a pivotal part in the plot and entire story structure of the sequel. That is: Who is Peter Quill/Star Lord’s (Chris Pratt) father? Of course that question was answered with a single Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 trailer… it’s Kurt Russell’s Ego, The Living Planet!
A blissful family reunion is not a given. In fact, Quill’s complicated relationship with his alien father, who impregnated his Earth mother in the 1970s, is handled in such a way that it feels like it could — at the best — threaten our heroes’ relatively new alliance and at the worst, complicate the balance of the entire Guardians of the Galaxy universe.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 picks up several months after the first movie closed. Our unlikely band of heroes have been employed by an artificially created species called The Sovereign to dispose of some invading monsters who seem to exist solely to ruin your day. Ever the thief, Rocket decides to “borrow” something that they care deeply about and suddenly our heroes are once again on the run, fighting for their lives as the Sovereign seek to destroy them. It is around this point that Ego shows up and our favorite Marvel outlaws-heroes are separated, reminiscent of what George Lucas did with his cast of characters in Empire Strikes Back.
Star Lord/Peter Quinn, Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Drax (Dave Bautista) head off with Ego to learn more about Peter’s history and how that could help/enhance their mission(s). Rocket (voiced brilliantly again by Bradley Cooper) and Baby Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) remain with their ship, along with their “payment” for services rendered by the Sovereign (clearly before they discovered they were robbed by Rocket)… the one and only Nebula (Karen Gillian).
Guess who is hired to track them down? Yup, the Ravagers, led by our old friend Yondu (Michael Rooker). That prickly pack gets expanded as well in ways that feels fresh and so welcomed (you won’t get any details from this review!).
The entire film is a continual joy. The smile on the face of this writer permeated throughout. Although the second act slows this train of brilliance down a bit, albeit for the necessary sake of further character development and plot enrichment, the astounding first act and explosive concluding act add Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 up to a film that you will be hard pressed to have a better time at the movies this summer.
This should hardly be a surprise to anyone who enjoyed the first film. Gunn has a talent for crafting rich characters that are beyond three-dimensional and leap off the screen. He not only loves the souls he paints onscreen, but he gives them a rich tapestry of emotion and richness to play with as they navigate this colorful kaleidoscope universe of astonishing awesomeness.
Adding to that, of course, is the soundtrack. As Gunn did with the first film, our score is largely filled by a Mix Tape that Quill’s mother gave him to always remember her by. Given that the time period that Quill last saw his mother, it is comprised of classic songs from the 70s. As the first film was enhanced by tracks from Quill’s mother’s Awesome Mix Vol. 1, this second adventure is enriched by Awesome Mix Vol. 2. As an appreciator of the hybrid of music and images, it is a stunning achievement what Gunn does with the marriage of popular song and CG-heavy scenery and action. At one point, Ego even explains the lyrics of one of his mom’s songs as the track plays and it pertains immensely to the story… simply stunning. Gunn has a true gift and we hope all his non-Guardians work through the remainder of his career keeps this passion for the intersection of music and movie and the powerful emotional pull that that pairing can produce.
When it comes to the additions to this universe, each one is a highlight. Many favorites get welcomed expanded roles as well. Russell is fantastic. Few performers could capture the spirit of someone who challenges the tight knit group that we have fallen for, and yet we still are compelled to enjoy his company. He delivers his persona with panache that only Russell could accomplish. Also new and so welcomed is Pom Klementieff, who shines as the warmly prophetic Mantis. She is Ego’s right-hand-woman/slave and her insertion into the world of the Guardians Fab Five is utterly seamless. Sylvester Stallone could not have been a better choice to portray Stakar Ogord and his role should expand in Volume 3. Good for the superstar actor to take a lesser role that is supremely necessary to the overall arc of the series, yet is a role that is not as flashy as he is used to inhabiting.
One of those whose role expands and we still could not get enough of is Rooker’s Yondu. The frequent collaborator with Gunn has an ever-present shorthand with his helmer and his character arc in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is nothing short of dazzling. If there is a scene-stealer in this ensemble, it is Bautista. The man who hoped the first film would at least give him a shot at being taken seriously as an actor gives an announcement of talent in the follow-up. He’s funny, full of heart and does so much more than bring the muscle to this Marvel-ous world.
Gunn is in firm command of this universe and his knowledge and passion for these characters shows on every frame. As such, we love them too and that is just one element that had the smiles going on full blast throughout.
The element that is a drawback for this second adventure is not his fault. It’s no one’s, really. It’s that the surprise factor is gone. When Guardians of the Galaxy arrived, the world was pleasantly enraptured by a property that felt, by many, to be a high risk endeavor for Disney and Marvel. I mean, a wise-cracking, rapid firing bullet shooting raccoon? And that was just one concern. Yet, when it hit screens, the melding of music, story, action and that lovable band of a-holes stole our hearts. It was unlike anything we’d ever seen.
Lightning was captured in a bottle. That can never happen again. We’re used to this world now, so the surprise factor has been decimated. It’s just a fact. Gunn does everything he can to elevate his second turn at the Guardians wheel. There is just no way to replicate what was achieved that first time.
That being said, Volume 2 is tantalizingly terrific and an achievement on its own on so many levels.
Grade: A