‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ review

Marvel Studios had already churned out nine blockbusters in a row before the first Guardians of the Galaxy hit theaters, but the success of that 2014 film was still a surprise.
The cast of characters was barely known to the public, and the actors appearing on the screen were marginally more so. The cosmic setting for the film – far away from where the majority of the film’s predecessors were set – certainly didn’t help matters.
So when Guardians of the Galaxy finished the year as the third highest grossing film of 2014 domestically and worldwide – and more importantly, the highest-grossing comic book movie of the year, ahead of both Captain America: The Winter Soldier and X-Men: Days of Future Past – it was clear that Marvel, along with director James Gunn, had tapped into something special. A sequel was assured, but fans and critics alike wondered whether there was any hope that a follow-up film could capture that same wonderfully weird, hilarious, and surprisingly touching magic that made the first film such a hit.
Fortunately, that’s exactly what that motley bunch of a-holes (their term, not ours) does in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Directed once again by Gunn and bringing back most of the first film’s cast, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 doesn’t hold many surprises, but it’s as good, possibly even better, than the original. And like all the best sequels, it uses the freedom it has with its now-established characters to fully explore their potential both individually and collectively.
This time around, Chris Pratt’s charismatic team leader Peter Quill finds himself getting acquainted with the father he never knew in Kurt Russell’s enigmatic Ego, the human embodiment of a massively powerful entity. Accompanying Peter on his reunion journey is the former assassin Gamora (Zoe Saldana), the nigh invulnerable warrior Drax (Dave Bautista), and the empathic Mantis (Pom Klementieff), a newcomer to the franchise that they meet along the way.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 doesn’t hold many surprises, but it’s as good, possibly even better, than the original. Meanwhile, the rest of the team members find themselves dealing with a host of problems stemming from a questionable decision made by Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), a vendetta held against the team by Gamora’s half-sister Nebula (Karen Gillan), and an ongoing feud with the Ravagers – a team of space pirates led by Yondu (Michael Rooker). The sentient tree Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) also returns for another adventure, still in early stages of growth after the events of the prior film.
From the opening moments of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, there’s a genuine sense that the characters have grown accustomed to each other’s company, and Gunn wisely mines that fresh vein of comedy with his script for the film. They’re a close-knit team now – more so than they ever were in the first film – and that gives the story a new dynamic that makes it feel fresh.
Still, Gunn clearly understands what worked about the first film and lets those elements evolve in the sequel. The film’s soundtrack, for example, plays just as integral a role in the sequel as it did in the 2014 film, but with a whole new set of songs and sequences to pair them with, the movie’s pronounced audio element is as welcome as it is familiar. To his credit, Gunn is able to cram a lot of character development into a film with a crowded cast, and none of the characters – old or new – feel shortchanged when the credits roll.
Gunn is able to cram a lot of character development into a film with a crowded cast
In their respective roles, Bautista feels infinitely more at ease as Drax this time around, and Gunn – as the film’s screenwriter – is noticeably more comfortable with the role Rocket plays on the team. With Groot now a “baby” (or is it a sapling?), the part he plays on the team remains relatively in flux throughout the film, but the comedy he (it?) doles out keeps things light without seeming too cutesy or campy. Pratt continues to play the charismatic hero role reliably well, and while the sequel doesn’t really encourage him to break new ground with the character, he continues to give audiences what they expect from him. Looking back on Pratt’s career, it’s strange that the former Parks and Recreation actor has become one of the safest bets you can make in an adventure movie these days, but it’s true; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 won’t change your mind, either.
If there’s a standout performance to be found in Vol. 2, it’s in Rooker’s blue-skinned, fin-headed pirate captain Yondu, who’s granted significantly more screen time in the sequel and runs away with the scenes he’s given. Yondu and his whistle-controlled arrow make for fun action sequences time and time again in Vol. 2. Although the story feels fresh in Vol. 2 and goes to some new, fantastic places, it’s amazing that the sequel can be so entertaining without changing its fundamental formula. So much of the cast is recycled, yet they’re somehow more interesting than they were in the first film.
Gunn clearly cares about the characters he’s developed over the course of these two films, and his attention to detail – and to each of the characters as independent elements in the story he’s telling – shows in every scene. Even after two films in a row with essentially the same set of characters, you can’t help wanting to go on many, many more adventures with this motley crew. They are a fun team, even if they are a bunch of a-holes.
Hereditary and Midsommar writer-director Ari Aster and A24 unleashed another modern nightmare with the new black comedy film, Eddington. Taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic, Eddington follows small-town sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) as he runs for mayor against incumbent Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), getting swept up in several timely political and social conflicts that send him and his community into a downward spiral. Since breaking out into the indie film scene with Hereditary, Aster’s movies have grown more ambitious over time. Eddington reaches the height of this zeal as its story tries to tackle all the issues that plagued America when COVID-19 put the world on lockdown. It’s a bold undertaking that is sure to be divisive, especially since people are still reeling from the pandemic’s effects five years after it began. Despite its good intentions and many artistic merits, Eddington collapses under the weight of its aspirations.
Director Gareth Edwards (The Creator) has brought audiences back to the land of dinosaurs with his film, Jurassic World Rebirth. This standalone sequel to Jurassic World Dominion follows a team of hired operatives as they journey to an island inhabited by mutant dinosaurs, which were left behind by Jurassic World researchers, and try to gather enough dino-DNA to generate a cure for heart disease. The Jurassic Park franchise is struggling to keep things fresh and engaging. Clearly, the filmmakers knew this fact during the production of Jurassic World Rebirth. This sequel falls short of expectations with its familiar story elements, some thin characters, and a clunky script. Nevertheless, Jurassic World Rebirth still provides some entertainment, featuring some terrific new players, exhilarating action scenes, terrifying suspense, and outstanding visuals. This movie is far from the best in the Jurassic Park saga, but it’s a decent blockbuster nonetheless.
Actor Brad Pitt has raced back into cinemas with his latest film, F1. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, who previously helmed Top Gun: Maverick, this sports drama follows veteran racer Sonny Hayes (Pitt) when he is called upon by his old rival (Javier Bardem) to return to Formula One racing to partner up with a young rookie, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), in the last few races of the season. After taking on the world of aerial combat, Kosinski brings his distinctive brand of cinematic flair to this depiction of competitive racing. Naturally, this makes for another captivating, blood-pumping blockbuster achievement. Though it seems to have left a better story in the rearview mirror, F1 makes up for it with a bevy of charismatic performances, engrossing visuals, and stirring moments.