4 Out of 5 Stars
The first Guardians film felt like it came out of nowhere giving us the most satisfying film in the MCU since the first Iron Man. This was no doubt thanks to director James Gunn who had cut his teeth on some impressively strange Indies and was able to translate one of lesser known properties in the MCU’s stable into one of their best cinematic experiences to date. Now two years later we are about to see if lightning can strike twice for Gunn who is returning for both writing and directing duties on another pop music fueled adventure for our favorite band of rogues turned heroes.

Picking up a few months after the events of Vol. 1 we now find the Guardians working for Ayesha, the leader of the Sovereign, a race of gold plated narcissists protecting batteries from an inter-dimensional monster. From the banter leading up to this opening battle it feels like the honeymoon has ended as the group who has gone on to a bit of fame thanks to defeating Ronan and saving the universe. After completing their task, and accepting Nebula as payment our heroes set off to collect the bounty on Gamora’s sister only to be attacked by the Sovereign who now want them dead. Turns out Rocket took a few of the batteries for himself putting a price on their heads for betraying their benefactors.


Thus begins our adventure as Quill and company are cornered and almost defeated when they are saved at the last moment by the celestial entity named appropriately Ego (Kurt Russell), claiming to be Peter Quill’s father. As Peter and Gamora go off with Ego who promises to explain Peter’s heritage, Rocket is tasked with keeping an eye on Nebula while repairing the Milano with the help of baby Groot. Of course not to be deterred the Sovereign hire Yondu and the Ravagers who yet again set out to track down the Guardians. Things of course don’t go as planned for either of our factions as Peter soon finds out his dad isn’t quite the man he hoped he would be and Yondu has to deal with a mutiny in the Ravager ranks after he decides to double cross the Sovereign as well.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 channels The Empire Strikes Back with its darker story centered around our protagonist and his daddy issues, which forges the Guardians into the heroes we will need in the Infinity War. There is no origin story here and the villain of the film doesn’t feel pulled from Marvel’s stable of expendable psychopaths either. Instead we get something more character driven and I think that might be the most divisive thing about the film, just how disconnected it is from the current events of the MCU (In GOTG2 it’s still 2014). Even the five post credit stingers exist simply to tie up the many loose ends left by the film. It’s a brave choice by Gunn, but one that provides a bit of a break from the Infinity Stone chasing that has begun to monopolize the MCU films.




Gunn is not satisfied simply rehashing the first film for its sequel either (Ahem. Whedon!), but gives us an organic follow up that while a little rough around the edges in the third act, rounds out these characters while introducing a few more. It’s Michael Rooker as Yodu who strangely enough is the standout of this outing as we see him hitting rock bottom when its revealed just why they abducted Quill from Earth in the first place. Its this subplot that takes a character who felt like buffoonish comic relief in the first film and makes him the heart and soul of its sequel, which was no easy task. Its Gunn’s ability to pull something like that off while still also delivering another equally engrossing adventure that makes me wish he was driving the Infinity War.

Gunn has proved himself yet again and while I hope he continues to make films for Marvel, I can’t wait to see what he does when he leaves. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a rare sequel that doesn’t rely on nostalgia for its predecessor for its narrative, instead forging its own story as we get another glimpse into the outer reaches of the MCU. Gunn manages to keep all the balls in motion with a full film of characters that all feel like they have an arc worthy of the story. Its not an easy task and Gunn has even managed to pull off a film that also manages to up the spectacle as well with some truly awesome battles that while a bit heavy on the green screen are still pretty cool. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 may not exceed the original, but it is equally as entertaining and even more heartwarming; which is fine with me.