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It’s easy to forget that despite Marvel being known for its comic blockbusters, they can surprisingly bring you to tears. Just as Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 will do for you.
Characters & Storyline
Thanks to saving the galaxy, there is a lot of work, and money, pouring in for Starlord/ Peter (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), Drax (Dave Bautista), and technically baby Groot (Vin Diesel). One of their latest missions is to protect a battery for this plant known as Sovereign which consists of beings who seem like a highly evolved form of humans. However, after the job is done, Rocket decides to steal the very thing they were supposed to protect, this setting off a hunt for the guardians. One which leads to multiple saves by the most unlikely of people. Though perhaps the one who matters most to the story is the one who saves them the first time: Ego (Kurt Russell). The man who is Starlord’s father and who has quite the explanation for why he left. Though, as the two catch up and Ego reveals much about himself, you’ll learn the truth about why Yondu (Michael Rooker) didn’t deliver Peter as he was paid to. Much less, watch as everyone reconciles with both their biological family and the family they have chosen. [note]Noteworthy after credit scenes: Seeing teenaged Groot, learning about the sovereign creating a being called Adam, and that’s about it. Outside of seeing Stan Lee for the 2nd time.[/note]
Highlights
It Maintains the Marvel Standard
As has been stated numerous times over the years, Marvel has a consistent formula which brings the butts to the seats. I mean, lest we forget, they are a Disney brand and like their parent company, they do similar things with each property but just tinker with the look of the characters and their story. But while you may want to criticize how Marvel/Disney rarely take risks, often that is only after you finished watching the movie.
For like the rest, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 makes it so you are far too enraptured to want to critique while watching. Let’s just begin with the jokes. Once more, Marvel really proves itself to produce one of the few films which actually deserve the title of “Genre Bending.” For the jokes in this movie, while not perhaps meme-worthy or something you may recite after the film is over, will make you laugh uncontrollably. Especially since, once more, Bautista is used to give deadpan jokes which, just trying to remember them now, puts a smile on my face and makes me want to giggle. Hell, even the scenes we saw in the commercial, and you have surely seen before any movie for the last few months, strangely will still leave you giggle like a child being tickled.
Though, as always, what is the real surprise is how emotional you get while watching Marvel films. Yet, in many ways, it sort of helps make clear why they are part of the Disney family. For you may think of any Disney film as silly little adventure comedies, yet many of them deal with loss, building new families, and how much a person struggles to find acceptance in said families.
Not to spoil the movie, but perhaps the relationships which may affect you the most deal with Yondu and his relationship with Peter, as well as how he sees himself in Rocket, and then Gamora and Nebula’s (Karen Gillan) relationship. For while you hear in many movies how the characters we meet are like family, it isn’t often and consistently felt. You rarely get this feeling of envy, this fear that they may actually lose someone yet, increasingly, Marvel is pursuing the idea of real tragedies. The kind you may not ultimately be shocked about, yet still produce tears as if you yourself just lost someone important to you and this movie triggered feelings you have been surpressing.
Criticism
Not The Most Exciting Action
I’m beginning to feel that when I see movies which also have an IMAX/ 3D version that when I see the 2D version, I’m not just losing out on a gimmick but am getting something seriously watered down. I mean, on one hand, there isn’t much that can be done with CGI and VFX that can be that awe-inspiring anymore. You can show big and vibrant worlds but movies have been being produced for a little more than a century now, no matter how shiny or lucid, what new stuff can really be done? Plus, with films like Star Wars and Mad Max: Fury Road trying to make things more practical and bring back those childhood feelings of “HOW DID THEY DO THAT!?” it really kills any sort of magic films like this think they are creating.
Another Bleh Marvel Villain
The villain of this movie, which I don’t want to spoil, is as disposable as the rest of them. They come, they win the battle but lose the war. All the while, there is no desire for them to be the next Loki, Magneto, or Mystique, for you can’t see longevity with them. Like the villains in the early episodes of Gotham, they are episodic. Good for the purpose of giving something to fight against, show the might of our heroes’ abilities and friendships, but not much else. Once they are dead and gone they aren’t missed and you’re ready for the next one. [note]I would be committing a sin of omission if I didn’t also note how the villain’s goals seem so simple that it makes you wonder if it was the best that Marvel’s team could come up with. [/note]
Overall: Positive (Worth Seeing)
Though the Marvel films carry the same issues film to film, they also maintain that standard which has made them billions of dollars and perhaps one of the most trusted brands around the world. Plus, more and more, they do what Disney has yet to really do with their adaptations: They find actors, often who aren’t big names, and know how to utilize their talents. With Marvel, it isn’t about name recognition like Disney but talent. So from Dave Bautista, whose claim to fame mostly remains his wrestling career to Pom Klementieff, who plays Mantis, who you probably never heard of, it remains consistently clear that it isn’t just about making money, but leaving you with valuable memories delivered by the right group of people. From those in front of the camera to those behind. Making it so damn good they put extra scenes during and after the credits so those names have the opportunity to be seen.
Alternative Take
Society Reviews – Rates it 2 out of 5 Stars.
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