Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

The people behind Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 must have had silly grins on their faces the whole time they were making this.  This is easily the most absurd of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, and yet, it can also be the most human and fulfilling at times.  From the film's memorable opening credits (which features Baby Groot, the tiny alien tree, dancing to ELO's "Mr. Blue Sky", while a massive intergalactic battle rages behind him), to the very ending moments, this is the rare summer blockbuster that has not let the enormous success of the original or its massive budget take away its sense of whimsy, and ignores pretty much all restraint. 

Picking up shortly after the events of the first film, the four original Guardians (along with the previously mentioned Groot) are neck-deep in a dangerous mission for a race of gold-skinned aliens known as the Sovereign.  The group once again includes the human Peter Quill, aka Star Lord (Chris Pratt), the green-skinned Gamora (Zoe Saldana), the massive alien Drax (Dave Bautista), and the smart-mouthed Rocket Raccoon (voice by Bradley Cooper).  Their mission is to protect some valuable batteries from a giant space monster, said battle making up the previously mentioned opening which sets the tone perfectly for what the audience is to expect for the next two hours or so - A lot of special effects, over the top action, and a genuine sense that nobody took this seriously while it was being made, so neither should we. 

With the battle won, the Guardians collect their reward, a prisoner being held by the Sovereign, who just happens to be Gamora's sister, Nebula (Karen Gillan).  They leave with their bounty, but Rocket happens to help himself to a few of the rare and valuable batteries on the way out, which leads to the Sovereign ruler, Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), to send her planet's massive and heavily armed space fleet after our heroes to destroy them for the theft.  She also happens to seek out someone else to help her in her quest for vengeance against the Guardians, which just happens to be the Ranger Yondu (Michael Rooker), who has past experience dealing with them, and is also the man who raised Peter.  With so many different people chasing after them, the Guardians find themselves stranded on an alien world, where they have a run-in with Peter's biological father, a Celestial being named Ego (Kurt Russell), who has been seeking his son across the galaxy.  Now that he has tracked him down, says that he wants to share his secrets with him.

The theme of "family" becomes the main central focus of the film in more ways than one.  In the main plot, we have Peter torn between his true father, his adoptive father, and the group he travels with that he has bonded with.  There is also the sibling relationship between Gamora and Nebula, which eventually plays a bigger role than first anticipated.  I have heard some people complain that the film uses the family dynamic a bit too heavily to the point that it hits the audience over the head with its message.  However, I personally feel that returning writer-director James Gunn finds a good balance, and I never found it overbearing.  It creates the emotional core that the original Guardians movie lacked.  Whereas the first film was mainly focused on setting up the characters and their universe, this movie manages to create genuine emotion, and focuses on the bond that has grown between them since their first adventure together.

Guardians Vol. 2 simply feels like a more complete film than before.  This is helped greatly by the fact that it is truly an ensemble piece, and allows the entire cast to be more developed than they were last time.  It's great to see the Guardians working off of their own personal quirks and flaws, and the fact that Gunn's screenplay allows these characters to truly breathe and become interesting individuals shows that he has a deft skill for mixing all-engrossing action with moments of personal reflection.  However, most amazing of all is that this does not feel like a rehash of any sort after the surprise success of the first.  There are new ideas here, new planets and alien races (all of which are designed and brought to life beautifully), and the action just comes across as all around grander than what we saw previously.  Add to all of this the film's sharp verbal humor, and you will see how everything really just does come together.

This film simply made me happy in so many ways.  The soundtrack is memorable, mixing a lot of classic rock from the 70s and 80s in with the action flawlessly, and the cast has really come into their ways with their characters.  Of the Guardians, it is Saldana (who gives Gamora a quiet elegance) and Bautista (whose Drax once again lacks a personal filter, and gets some of the best lines in the film) who stand out the most, but everybody gets their own moment to stand out.  It's especially evident in the very crowded climax, which mixes an apocalyptic battle for the universe, while at the same time making sure that all the characters involved are not stranded or left unfulfilled with all the special effects and fighting going on around them.  Again, the movie's ability to mix the fantastic, the human, and the absurd is its strongest aspect, and one that helps it stand out from a lot of movies we've had so far this year.

With so many superhero movies out there (and to come during the summer), it's easy to initially dismiss Guardians Vol. 2 as another comic book movie.  However, there is real energy behind the film here, as well as a sense that the filmmakers were not just resting on their laurels here, as so often happens with sequels.  This is a movie alive with excitement, heart and humor, and is easily the best time I've had at the theater so far this year.

0 comments