U.K. -- Okay, let’s get it out the way up front of everything else. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 is a great film, a worthy sequel to the original. Now whether or not it’s as good as the first film is a matter of opinion, it seems. I’m of the mind that it’s better, but I realise I may be in the minority there.
The film’s weakness, such as it isn’t much of a weakness but more a niggle, is in its plot. Taking a while before the true stakes of our heroes latest misadventure are made clear and the villain and their motives are revealed.
All this however, was so that writer and director James Gunn could give us the embarrassment of riches that is the exploration of these characters we all fell in love with back in 2014. Everyone from Star-Lord to Nebula, Rocket to Yondu has some sort of exploration of their past and their character. It’s in one of these moments, where a revelation is made about a certain character’s personal history.
The audience I watched the film with, literally 3000-plus people as I saw it at the European premiere in London, gasped in shock before the film slammed its foot on the accelerator and resolved the moment in one of the most cinematically gratifying, air-punching resolutions committed to celluloid.
It was a fist pumping “Hell yeah!” moment, but we were all slightly too British to do anything like that, even as I slapped my knee. Drax, who whilst quite honestly not having any real development in that him being one-dimensional is sort of his shtick, still manages to develop a new relationship of sorts with new-comer Mantis. Also, Drax gets all the funniest lines – no contest.
Mantis and Ego, the two new stars Pom Klementieff and Kurt Russell respectively, are brilliant in their roles. Mantis is simultaneously really odd and adorable, while Kurt Russell was born to play Star- Lord’s father, as well as a character so aptly named. And for fans of the comics, wondering if you’ll get to see Ego in his more *ahem* shall we say traditional form, well that would be telling...
The title sequence that opens the film is one of the best ever done in the MCU, and proves the music selections for the first film weren’t a fluke. I’m still humming “Brandy” days after seeing the film and have been listening to Awesome Mix Vol. 2 just as I did Vol. 1. Each song not just used to punctuate the scenes like some comic book movies have tried since the first Guardians was released, but create a specific feeling within the viewer whilst watching the film, just another tool of the filmmaker.
Trying to pick a stand-out for this film was difficult as I was split between Rocket and Yondu. Rocket being the product of Gunn’s writing, Sean Gunn’s physical performance, the other actor’s performance against him, the animators and Bradley Cooper’s voice talent is the perfect storm to create this absolute Marvel of a character (pun intended). And Michael Rooker as Yondu may not have been everyone’s favourite in the first film, but he’s definitely going to be a few people’s fave after Vol 2. His backstory is explored, his relationship with his crew and of course Star-Lord, too. And once he gets his upgraded fin, he kicks all kinds of ass like never before. It doesn't hurt that Rocket and Yondu are paired for a significant portion of the film, either.
In fact, breaking the team down into smaller pairings like that may have been the secret to why putting the characters under a microscope worked so well. Rocket and Yondu with their all for themselves attitude, Drax and Mantis's almost absurd level of sincerity, Gamora and her sister Nebula's tempestuous relationship and of course, Star-Lord finally getting to meet his old man.
It probably doesn't need to stated how the effects look spectacular, but the final act throwdown is spectacular on multiple levels, with a few special surprises thrown in that you may not see coming – like nothing you've seen in a Marvel movie.
There are plenty of surprises in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2, both for movie and comic fans. A certain appearance from a certain bunch of characters left me questioning what I thought I knew about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and where it's headed. When you see it, you’ll hopefully get what I mean. I really don’t want to spoil this film for anyone. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 felt like a movie built on characters and moments, rather than the strongest of plots, which is sure to get it some criticism but when it's done this well, it's well worth your time.
As I sit here finishing this review, I'm listening to a song that plays over the end of the film, and sure enough I'm feeling all the emotional punch Gunn surely intended us to feel. I just want the rest of you to see it so we can share in its brilliance.
Written by Nick Whitney, MCU Correspondent -- Click to read Nick's posts
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