Review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) by Pascal M — 04 Dec 2017

Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy 2 is less Empire Strikes Back and more Age of Ultron. As a sequel, it aims to be more focused, personal, and ambitious, and yet seems somehow limited by all of the above. The jokes are more raucous and more frequent than what we got out of the first film, but the script feels like it operates off of a funniness quota rather than letting the characters do their thing (Remember Drax's death glare when Kraglin shoulder-bumped him? Gags like that were worth a dozen one-liners). The villain is pretty standard Marvel, which is a shame because his presentation actually gives him the potential to be much more multi-faceted. And more than one of the leading characters seems to have lost their balance between being likably roguish and roguishly likable.

But that's about it on the criticism. Following up a film as pristine and fun as the first Guardians is a difficult feat, and in many senses, Vol. 2 is a sufficiently strong sequel. The introduction of Mantis is a welcome and refreshing component of the plot. The exploration of Yondu and Nebula's characters does not disappoint. Many of the characters are tied into the central theme of family, which is brilliantly woven into the storytelling. And when the film isn't so shamelessly impressed with its overflowing abundance of sugar-rush humour, the jokes steal nearly every scene as effortlessly as the first film did.

Definitely worth a watch, even if it's not as flawless or well-rounded as the first. 7.5/10, probably would watch again.