Review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) by Mrmoviebuff — 04 May 2017

I know it's an unpopular opinion (because apparently opinions now range from 'popular' to 'unpopular' now) when I say that I thought 'Guardians of the Galaxy' (2014) was an overrated superhero movie. I just didn't get what was so great about it, the character development was a little lacking, save for Star-Lord, the plot was paper-thin and generic so much so, that it was covered with sprinklings of 70s/80s music and goofy humor to keep it elongated, and the villain was so forgettable, I sometimes struggle to remember his name.

I know he was blue and was played by a talented and underrated Lee Pace, but that's all I have. 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' is a rather okay sequel that reunites the goofy misfits everybody loved, and takes them on a stranger adventure.

Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), and now Baby Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) are back, and they get themselves into trouble when Rocket, so recklessly steals from the Sovereign race, and their leader, Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) wants to chase them back for it.

It also seems that Gamora has some unfinished business with her deadly sister, Nebula (an over-acting Karen Gillan), who wants to best her sibling in everything she does. The Guardians then find themselves meeting a man who goes by the name Ego (Kurt Russell), and if you've seen the trailers, or read any of the synopsis or kept up to date with the news surrounding this film, you'll know that Ego tells Star-Lord that he is his father.

At first, Quill tries to take time to believe this, as everything comes back to him. They also meet one of Ego's assistants named Mantis (Pom Klementieff), who tells the Guardians everything they need to know about Ego, and the strange but wonderful planet that he has created.

Yondu (Michael Rooker) is also back, and finds himself in trouble, and teams up with Rocket and Groot to find the rest of the other Guardians. The film does an okay job to further the story of Peter Quill's past, and developing the rivalry/sister relationship between Nebula and Gamora, but its sluggish pacing, wasting the other Guardians like Drax, who by the way, is also named "The Destroyer".

.. very mild spoiler alert, but he does little-to-no destroying in this movie. Bautista is ultimately wasted as being the comic relief of the film, which is odd, because I thought Rocket is supposed to be the funny one, then again, so is Groot (even in baby form), or even the lead character, Star-Lord himself.

And that's my next criticism. It's pretty obvious that director James Gunn noticed that everybody loved the first movie due to its use of music, and goofy humor. So, he decided to double on that. There is so much humor coming from all of these characters, that it takes away the tension from the plot, and you cannot help but think that this is their natural state.

.. they don't feel fear or concern, whatever problems arise, they just laugh it off and save the galaxy somehow. The music, which was used quite effectively in the first film, to its credit... unfortunately, there is too much of it.

At times, when a scene does not need a song playing, it plays anyway, regardless if it fits the tone of the scene. 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' is an underwhelming sequel that even tries to become "The Empire Strikes Back" by showcasing the lead character's past, and there's even a scene where the Guardians fly their ship through and asteroid field.

Just because you imitate a scene from one of the greatest sequels of all time, doesn't mean yours will be as good either. Kurt Russell is also underused here as well, it seems that this movie lacks any of the superior action we've seen from so many MCU films, just to try and fill in the gaps for character development, and use as many jokes and songs as possible to distract us from its flaws.

Kristian Harloff from the YouTube channel SchmoesKnow - who was also underwhelmed - even said "We don't need a story because everyone's funny!", that seems like the goal here. I know I maybe in the minority again, but this movie just didn't work for me, maybe for everybody else who wants more songs and jokes.

.. but, I've seen Marvel do better than this. Hopefully, with "Infinity War", the Guardians will win me over there...