Guardians of the Galaxy was a breath of fresh air in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Irreverent humor, anti-heroes, and a cosmic setting that shook off the drabness that had set in for most of the Earth-bound adventures. A sequel was inevitable, but could the magic be captured again? The answer is a resounding yes. Writer/director James Gunn delivers a sequel that maintains the scale and spectacle of its predecessor but smartly puts more focus on the characters, while ramping up the nuttier comedy that was so memorable in Vol. 1.
Riding high on their new reputation as Guardians of the Galaxy, the team find themselves on an assignment, hired by the golden-skinned Sovereign race led by a woman named Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki). Their mission, to protect some of their technology against an inter-dimensional beast; in exchange, they will gain custody of Gamora’s (Zoe Saldana) sister Nebula (Karen Gillian), so they can turn her over to the Nova Corp, to be punished for her role in the attack on Xandar.
While they succeed, Rocket (Bradley Cooper) steals the tech they were meant to be protecting, leading to the Sovereign attacking their ship. They are saved by the timely intervention by a man named Ego (Kurt Russell), who claims to be Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) long lost father. Thus begins a journey for them all as Peter, Gamora, and Drax (Dave Bautista) travel with Ego and his companion Mantis (Pom Klementieff) to his planet to become acquainted. Meanwhile Rocket, Groot, and Nebula find their mission to repair their ship sidetracked when Yondu (Michael Rooker) and his Ravager crew turn up, hired by Ayesha to return them, but also looking to settle some old scores. As the Guardians are brought back together, they discover something untoward. Ego, a sentient planet that crafted a human form so he could travel the galaxy and meet other lifeforms (and bang), might have an ulterior motive for seeking his son out.
The film kicks off with the aforementioned battle, a scene that pretty much sets the tone for the entire venture. As ELO’s Mr. Blue Sky blasts out over a speaker, the team tackle a multi-toothed, tentacled beast in the background, with baby Groot shimmying front and center, oblivious to the dangers around him. It’s a joyous opening and one guaranteed to put a smile on your face and set your toes tapping, a condition you’ll find yourself in for much of the runtime. From here on, their arcs deal with sibling rivalry, daddy issues, loss, and abandonment. Each of the Guardians is paired with a connected or kindred soul. It sounds heavy, but it isn’t. It’s a journey of self-discovery, verging on therapeutic, combined with the same irreverent humor, stunning visuals, quirky characters, many new, and more baby Groot than you can shake a stick at (sorry/not sorry).
It’s not just our twiggy friend who makes his mark; the whole cast get moments to shine, either individually or as part of the team, and the film is stronger for it. Pratt’s Quill seems somewhat on his way to becoming the leader of the group, but his angst from the lack of a father figure comes to the fore with his sudden reappearance. He has a great chemistry with Russell, who brings all the swagger you’d expect. His hair might also be the greatest visual effect in the film. Sadly, despite Stallone’s welcome presence in a minor role, there’s no Tango and Cash reunion here. Gamora is far more fleshed out this time round, shades of vulnerability drawn out by the prolonged presence of her sister Nebula, which also gives Gillian more to work with too. Rooker’s Yondu threatens to steal the show as both he and Cooper’s Rocket combine ass-kicking with eliciting an impressive amount of sympathy for their plight.
The breakout pairing might just be between Drax and newcomer Mantis, an empath imbued with a naive sweetness by Klementieff. There’s a child-like wonder to the pair that fuels their observations and commentary when together. Bautista has made his talent for comedic timing evident, but he takes it to another level here. His bluntness counters the sentimentality the film occasionally veers into; it’s a wonderful ‘get out’ as mawkishness creeps in. This Drax seems more able to shoulder a scene rather than just drop into one. More at peace, opening up about his past and his feelings, no matter how inappropriate they may be, even his looming presence primes you for comedy. Together, the cast continue to develop and play off each other brilliantly. If Vol. 1 was about bringing this family together, Vol. 2 is about them dealing with that union, and all the baggage each of the crew brings along with them.
With such a focus on the characters, Vol. 2 is a really personal tale, unsurprising given Gunn’s sole writing credit and seemingly free hand in crafting this series. He obviously has a love for these characters, and it permeates the film. As plots go, it’s a little fragmented, but this is down to the nature of taking this group apart and exploring their issues. It’s only in the final act, when the team are reunited and the real villain of the piece emerges, does the film coalesce into something more ‘traditional’ — an action spectacle that strongly veers into video game territory, literally at one point. It’s visually impressive, sure, but at odds with the boldness of the rest of the film so that it feels somewhat of a stumble. Thankfully, these characters remains in the thick of things to bring it home.
Luckily the majority of the film is more off-kilter. Those elements of the first film that seemed to resonate the most, the offbeat visuals and humor, are cranked up to eleven. Gorgeous design work from sleek craft to art-deco inspired palaces, to snow strewn outposts, or the sight of a living planet, are all populated by an array of incredible creatures. It’s as if the blandness of much of the MCU aesthetic is because James Gunn stole all the colors. He continues to embrace nostalgia and pop culture, not just in term of a stonking soundtrack, but also with references to Cheers, David Hasselhoff, and even a beauty of a joke at Microsoft’s expense. Most of the laughs come from the characters and their banter, but there’s also a foray into physical comedy that is straight up Looney Tunes at times. A memorable sequence involving (another) prison break serves as a comedy skit of the highest order and also an example of indulging a joke for a good 5 minutes that never wears into the ground. That’s the most impressive thing about the film, that it never feels tired, never loses energy or heart. It brings new characters into the fold while developing those that exist solidifying an emotional core that ensures that Vol. 3 can’t come soon enough.
James Gunn has cast off these shackles of the increasingly formulaic MCU once again to deliver a film that is unabashedly fun. An eye-popping, toe-tapping delight that charms with its embrace of nuttiness and these irreverent characters. It’s a joyous experience from start to finish, brimming with action, humor, and above all heart. Oh and SO much Baby Groot.
Did mention baby Groot?
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is in theaters May 5th