Firing on all cylinders once again, writer/director James Gunn brings another entertaining, comedic, dramatic and all around fun feature with his 2017 Marvel sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Though it doesn’t capture the pure lightening in a bottle/giddy exuberance that the first one brought fans (though it is rare to find a sequel that can be as original, unique and exciting), this more than serviceable sequel has plenty to offer. Bringing the same entertaining mix of soulful characters, sharp dialogue, quirky humour, and surprising emotional heft, it also adds some new personas, small twists and important revelations that fill in many teasers put out there three years ago with the first volume.
Many terms and words immediately come to mind after watching this second feature: dissension amongst the ranks, internalizing pain, sacrifice, family, dancing and. . . David Hasselhoff???
Things aren’t all butterflies and sugary Pixy Stix for our ragtag team; they are still saving the galaxy in unorthodox fashion. Peter Quill – aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) is still quirky, affable but self-centred; Gamora (Zoe Saldana) continues to be a cool, gruff, sword-wielding warrior who buries her feelings deep inside; Drax (Dave Bautista), the behemoth Destroyer, maintains his insulting ways – with no filter, he utters everything that should not be said out loud; Rocket (Bradley Cooper), the genetically engineered motor-mouthed racoon, begins to push his friends away, pulling stupid stunts and using cutting words that cause strife from within their own ranks; and finally, Groot (Vin Diesel), who is now Baby – the sapling has teary doe eyes and ups the cute quotient tenfold, though is dim-witted and not quite as helpful as he once was (we first find him dancing to ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky” as the rest of the team battle a giant blobish monster; another great moment finds them in utter danger – Gunn cuts to Baby as he nonchalantly munches on some M&M-like candies while the rest panic).
Filmizon.com’s Nikolai Adams with Karen Gillan, who plays Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
After succeeding during their opening credits task, Rocket manages to offend a golden-skinned race called the Sovereign, led by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), as his subtlety utterly fails after winking with the wrong eye. . . it does not help that he also stole some of the costly batteries they were tasked to protect. Their prize for saving the day is Gamora’s even less cuddly sister, Nebula (Karen Gillan), however, they are then unceremoniously chased by the highly sophisticated and technologically savvy people (once they realize they have the stolen batteries), but are saved by a mysterious bearded wonder, Ego (Kurt Russell), who is always accompanied by a woman-like alien with antennas, Mantis (Pom Klementieff) – an empath, she has the ability to feel what another person is experiencing and can also put others to sleep instantly.
Sean Gunn, who plays Kraglin and the On-Set Rocket in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, with Filmizon.com’s Nikolai Adams
Ayesha contacts Ravager leader Yondu (Michael Rooker), the man who abducted Quill from Earth all those years ago. Taking the job of tracking the Guardians down, he is going through his own form of scrutiny, as the other Ravager factions, led by a multitude of eccentric individuals including Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone), have disowned him and his gang for child trafficking. Forming a divide amongst his men, whistling Yondu is met head on by the disgruntled Taserface (Chris Sullivan), placing his loyal and caring right hand man, Kraglin (Sean Gunn – he is also the On-Set Rocket) in the middle of the clash – forced to take sides. He has a rich, expanded role in this second volume.
For anyone who knows anything going into this film, this is no surprise (but spoiler alert anyway), Ego reveals himself to be the long elusive father (and supposed deadbeat dad) of Quill. Asking him to come for a visit on his planet, he accepts the offer, along with Gamora and Drax, while Rocket and Baby Groot stay behind to fix their ship and keep a watch over prisoner Nebula.
This more literal divide of the crew causes its own set of issues. It brings new people together in unexpected ways. And, we all know, the heroics of guarding the galaxy come at a cost – secrets will be revealed. . . alliances will be made (and broken). . . . . though, on the lighter side, cameos will be spotted. . . insults will be tossed. . . and keep your keister in your seat for five during/post credit bonus scenes.
For those looking for a heads up as to cameos, keep an eye open for the aforementioned David Hasselhoff (appearing a while after Gamora reveals an embarrassing story Quill told her while drunk), Howard the Duck (voiced by Seth Green, he first appeared in the after credits sequence of the last film), Jeff Goldblum dancing in the credits (foreshadowing his upcoming role as the Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok), other Ravager bosses played by Ving Rhames and former James Bond girl Michelle Yeoh, as well as everyone’s favourite, Stan Lee, getting two chances to shine as a chatty, long-winded astronaut storyteller (it perhaps suggests that he is some sort of cosmic entity – and why he appears in all of the Marvel movies). There are also two voice cameos from Miley Cyrus and Rob Zombie.
As for the music, Vol. 2 does not disappoint (though it may not match the names and catchiness of the first movie). Aside from the above mentioned ELO song (and the hint within my title – George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” can also be heard), Glen Campbell, Fleetwood Mac, Sam Cooke, Cheap Trick, Cat Stevens, as well as many other artists grace the soundtrack. Looking Glass’s “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” also plays an integral part to the story – providing context into his father’s viewpoint on life and the relationship he had with Quill’s mother. For those of you worried about there being no cassette for Vol. 3, don’t – they have already made sure to leave the set list open for more great tunes.
Also, here are some quotes for you to enjoy. As Drax chats to Mantis, Gamora appears and he proudly exclaims, “This gross bug-lady is my new friend!”. After multiple insults throughout the film, the two watch a pretty happening towards the end of the feature, to which she describes it as ‘beautiful’. Drax replies, “It is. And so are you. . . on the inside”. A few other moments worth highlighting. There is a scene in which Rocket roasts Taserface on his rather unusual moniker and there is also an entertaining reference to Mary Poppins.
At its heart, Vol. 2 is about family, forgiveness and finding a way to overcome your own flaws, fears and pained past. Perhaps best exemplifying this, there is a candid conversation between Yondu (who has a meaty role that rivals Quill in this one) and Rocket, in which the racoon claims “you don’t know anything about me, loser”. Providing some insight, Yondu wisely responds, “I know everything about you. I know you play like you’re the meanest. . . but actually you’re the most scared of all”, admitting at the same time that he too puts up a strong facade that hides much. The revelations that come out between sisters Gamora and Nebula also add some depth to the story, helping the audience better understand why the villainous woman has so much hate for her sister (and anguish rooted in every inch of her being).
Filmizon.com’s Nikolai Adams with three cast members from The Walking Dead, Josh McDermitt, Scott Wilson and Michael Rooker (far right), who stars as Yondu Udonta in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
A cool sidenote finds the film’s teaser poster paying homage to another area of music history, The Ramone’s “Rocket to Russia” album cover. Check them both out just below the end of the review.
Once again, artfully directed, playfully acted, and delightfully engaging, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is another fun foray into this modern take on a space saga. Bringing bundles of laughs, varied action and perhaps a tear, Gunn succeeds at further developing this enticing franchise with his unique vision. So, ravage around to find and then pop in this second ‘awesome’ cassette mix, it will have you whistling along, though perhaps silently, as these realistic, beloved characters can put a lump in your throat as they bury (and sometimes deal with) their complex set of emotions.
