Review: Great 'Guardians of the Galaxy' sequel is just short of magical
Just like the first one, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a winning and wonderfully relatable gem of crazy.
The creative mind of writer/director James Gunn comes alive again in this hysterical and surprisingly touching sequel (***½ out of four; rated PG-13; in theaters May 5) filled with misfits saving the universe once more, a guy who’s a living planet, a cosmic biker gang with loyalty issues and people pinballing through space like Bugs Bunny cartoons on fast-forward.
It’s missing some of the ragtag underdog charm of 2014’s instaclassic Guardians that made it one of the best Marvel efforts ever. Yet Vol. 2 becomes in its own way a more confident and well-rounded movie by experimenting with character relationships, familial rivalry and its own successful template.
After their universe-rescuing victory in the original film, the Guardians are hired to take down a vicious space monster by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), the egotistical high priestess of an upper-crust alien race called the Sovereign. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and Gamora (Zoe Saldana) bicker about their choice of weaponry, Drax (Dave Bautista) and talking raccoon Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) whup some creature butt with extreme prejudice, and everybody’s just trying to make sure cute little alien tree Baby Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) doesn't get eaten by the aforementioned snarling beast.
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They win, naturally, and one in their ranks steals from the Sovereign, which causes an irked Ayesha to send her entire fleet after them. The Guardians are rescued by an unexpected ally: Ego (Kurt Russell), a ruggedly handsome, all-powerful Celestial who’s also Peter’s long-lost real father.
Most everybody has some relative reconnection and/or strife: Gamora must confront her antagonistic sister Nebula (Karen Gillan), Peter’s “adopted” dad Yondu (Michael Rooker) is on the outs with his fellow outlaw Ravagers after a run-in with his father figure Stakar (Sylvester Stallone), and Peter and Ego have some one-on-one time, in which Pratt’s Star-Lord learns the true reason why Dad’s been searching for him.
One of the best things about Gunn’s Guardians movies is how they're the least beholden to the bigger Marvel Cinematic Universe. Russell especially is a great addition to this awesome little world, with an enormously powerful movie personality that draws from the actor’s own Hollywood legend.
As far as the returning crew, Bautista's Drax is one of the highlights, a kooky, super-honest fellow who’s also a muscular Greek chorus. Rooker also impresses in Yondu’s pivotal role in the narrative, though it’s Baby Groot who steals much of the show. Him dancing to ELO’s Mr. Blue Sky is pretty much the most enjoyable your summer movie season will get.
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The references come quick and often, from Knight Rider to Cheers to Heather Locklear, and Gunn’s self-curated soundtrack is filled with old-school jams: Peter and Gamora have a neat moment set to Sam Cooke’s Bring It on Home to Me, but who knew Looking Glass’ Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) could ever be an important plot point of a massive movie?
That’s what makes Gunn’s Guardians series so marvelous, though. The action and story are epic but the small quirks — like its mini sentient tree — make a big difference.
