Year: 2017
Synopsis: The self-proclaimed Guardians of the Galaxy learn the truth of Peter Quill/Star-Lord’s father, and fight through the galactic consequences of that truth.
Pros:
• Just about as fun and self-aware as Vol. 1 (2014).
• The truly likable characters themselves make up for any narrative inadequacies.
• More depth is added to characters like Nebula and Gamora.
• Kurt Russel is strangely perfect as the morally dubious alien father of Star-Lord.
• Truly surreal and comedically surreal imagery.
• The end credits.
• I am Groot.
Cons:
• Falls to the second offering MCU curse of running too much on the success of the first film.
• Feels a bit overlong at times.
• The overall story is perhaps too morally dubious.
• Some changes to the main characters’ backstories might not have been well received by fans of the comics.
• Giving Star-Lord superpowers before seemingly taking them away feels more underwhelming than character building.
Discussion:
The MCU still seems to be in a bit of a recurring curse thus far with second offerings. Vol. 2 is a more than fun film to watch, but it truly lacks much of the originality and energy of the first. It is simply weakened by its overlong runtime and less overall story. Its overall strengths do, however, suggest signs of some effort to overcome this strange curse, similarly to the second season of Luke Cage (2016 – present). There is nothing wrong with utilizing Pac-Man in a galaxy-threatening argument with one’s god-like father. The film has much more to it than a just “moving along” feel. It does stand out on its own, if only just. This film makes us want more of the Guardians. But perhaps more importantly than ever, I am Groot.
Related:
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Rotten Tomatoes — 83%
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