Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is directed by James Gunn (Slither) and stars Chris Pratt (Jurassic World), Zoe Saladana (Star Trek), Dave Bautista (Spectre), Vin Diesel (The Fast and The Furious) and Bradley Cooper (American Sniper). This time around, the guardians continue their adventures from the first go around, as secrets about their pasts, presents, and futures are revealed.Coming into 2017, this sequel was near the top of my list as one of my most anticipated, not only because of how enjoyable and different the first film was but also because of James Gunn returning to write and direct. Gunn has some lesser known but quite enjoyable films, Slither and Super, that if you have not seen I would recommend checking out. But Marvel does not have the best track record when it comes to sequels and the early buzz was mixed, so in that theater I was not sure how to feel.
This movie did not disappoint. From the opening action sequence, I could tell that Vol. 2 was going to be something special. It's quite unconventional and different from the first but the characters feel as though they have naturally progressed to the point we meet them at. The standout performance was Michael Rooker (The Belko Experiment) as Yondu, reprising his role as the infamous ravager from the first film. His jokes were among the best and nearly every one had me smiling from ear to ear.
Comedy took center stage in this go around, as the first act had them flying one right after another. There were far more hits than misses, leading for me to count that as a success. And when it's time for the story to progress, Gunn shows his writing ability by changing the tone effortlessly, not letting it feel disjointed. The themes of legacy and family played major roles in the movie, with each character having a respective arch in regards to the theme. If I had to find a problem, it would be in the Sovereign's abilities as they are throated time and again, but I understand the role they played and did not see too much of an issue.
Colorful and creative, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 shoots to become the best sequel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I say it lands in the ranks of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The movie is as good, if not better, than the original, and I cannot wait to see it again.
When should you watch it?
Opening Night