Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

photo courtesy of screengeek.net

SPOILER-FREE REVIEW

     Summer blockbuster season kicks off with the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe tentpole, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The movie reunites Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, and Karen Gillan in the highly anticipated follow-up to 2014’s smash hit. Fortunately for Marvel fans, Vol. 2 is another solid entry for the franchise, even if its off-the-wall characters and quirky Guardians flavor aren’t handled with quite as much dexterity this time around.

     In Vol. 2, Star-Lord and his band of superhero misfits find themselves on the wrong side of a powerful and mysterious people known as the Sovereign, led by the High Priestess Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki). Their quick escape attempt leads them on a series of misadventures with galaxy-level stakes. Along the way, the Guardians reunite with Star-Lord’s father Ego (Kurt Russell), become entangled a sinister web of deception, and learn lessons about what it really means to be a family.

photo courtesy of slashfilm.com

     Like its predecessor, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is an audacious thrill ride. It’s got everything a blockbuster needs: impressive action sequences, an engaging ensemble, and an epic soundtrack—all with that signature, irreverent Guardians twist that audiences have come to love. To sweeten the pot, this entry is far less burdened down by MCU world-building, which strengthens its focus. Writer and director James Gunn hones in on the family relationships of some of the characters rather than dealing with world-destroying orbs, Collectors, and Kree fanatics. As a result, this movie boasts some real emotional stakes and even a few genuinely powerful moments.

     As before, the chemistry between the characters is what sets this film apart from the blockbuster mainstream. Star-Lord grounds the group with his humor and humanity, but this time it’s none other than Baby Groot who steals the show—mostly through sheer adorable-ness. Importantly, the villain makes much more of an impression than Ronan or some of Marvel’s lesser baddies.

photo courtesy of comingsoon.net

     If it was in doubt, Vol. 2 is also visually stunning—undoubtedly one of Marvel Studio’s most beautiful films to date. The Guardians always bring a splash of color to the scene, but this time the CGI and set design go above and beyond.

     At some point, however, the film gets weighed down and loses some of its spontaneity. Much of this is on purpose—the film consciously goes for an Empire Strikes Back vibe, with a dose of gravity added to the mix. The connections to that iconic sequel are highlighted again and again by a number of visual references, dialogue callbacks, and thematic choices. All of that is well and good, and makes Vol. 2, at least on paper, a good progression from the groundwork laid in the first film.

photo courtesy of maxim.com

     The problem is that in Vol. 2, everything that was firing on all cylinders in the original comes without the same sense of effortlessness. Nothing feels quite as fresh, which is to be expected. The humor doubles down on the cheesiness factor and ends up—despite several truly hilarious bits—somewhere in 2^nd-rate animated kids’ movie territory. There’s an odd streak of super-sentimentality, too, that pushes some characters out of any semblance of believability (if you remember their gruff attitudes from the original) and tries the audience’s patience. One particularly egregious scene features Peter and his father literally playing catch after their reunion, and it’s played entirely seriously—wide grins and all. In a franchise marked by its irreverent lampooning of that kind of trope, it’s hard to swallow. A few audience members in one screening laughed uncomfortably or guffawed, unsure of whether or not it was all going to be a joke. It wasn’t. It’s a surprisingly tone deaf move for the otherwise clever James Gunn.

photo courtesy of comicbook.com

     In terms of plot, Vol. 2 takes the “bare bones” approach about to its limit. Put simply, not much happens. That would be fine if the film sacrificed complicated action sequences for a more intimate, telling finale, but instead the finale devolves into a fairly run-of-the-mill blockbuster ending (complete with clumsy exposition). Contrasted to, say, The Empire Strikes Back, Vol. 2 doesn’t make the most of its gravitas.

     FINAL VERDICT: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 isn’t the best the Guardians or Marvel Studios has to offer, but the sheer strength of the franchise—it’s characters, atmosphere, spectacle—and a more focused narrative make it another worthy adventure. 

photo courtesy of independent.co.uk