Home EntertainmentMovies The Guardians are Back! Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Review is Here!

The Guardians are Back! Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Review is Here!

by Nick Stucker

We have nearly a decade’s worth of Marvel films that make up the MCU, otherwise known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When Guardians of the Galaxy debuted in 2014 it opened the doors a whole new realm, and possibly genre, for the MCU and nearly limitless possibilities in regards to new stories and adventures for us fans in the future.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is about family; it is about the Guardians living up to their name as the protectors of the galaxy from threats big and small. While the first did play a little into it, this film certainly hits home to what it means to having something you love right there in front of you. Sappy a little? Yeah, it is, but that is the base and core of the film and really the entire comic series if you strip everything else away.
Set shortly after the first film, the Guardians have made a name for themselves throughout the galaxy, both in good and bad ways; after completing a task for a very up tight and hostile race, the Guardians are suddenly attacked thanks to Rocket’s sticky fingers. Once crash landing on a planet the team is confronted by a mysterious stranger named Ego (Kurt Russell) that is connected to Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), spurring the Guardians to follow him to his planet the team is suddenly beginning to realize that their mysterious stranger is not all he seems to be and quickly find themselves and the galaxy in mortal danger.

Right off the bat we’re thrown into the action and Baby Groot’s dance moves; the film, for the most part, is a non-stop thrill ride with spectacular visuals and character development. In this film we see more of a growth with our heroes and how they have accepted each other as family, which is the main theme of the film. We see that we are going deeper into each character, especially Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord, getting to know them on a more personal level, which is something that Marvel always hits home with.

When we were introduced to the Guardians back in 2014 we were thrilled; we were awed. We found out that there was a whole new galaxy (literally) that Marvel can explore and open us up to. While Guardians 2 does deliver on the dazzling and thrill aspect, the story seems a little bare and less thrilling than its predecessor delivered to us and frankly does little to expand the boundaries of what we can expect to see in later MCU films. It does have it’s humor, especially Baby Groot who I feel stole the scene at times; however you can tell that James Gunn is definitely doubling down and trying outdo what he gave us three years back, and at times in the film you can obviously tell with the dry, dull humor that could have been left out. Yes, in the comics the characters do have their moments where you would stop and ask yourself, “What were the writers thinking when they wrote this?”. It’s the Guardians’ signature though with their tongue-and-cheek attitude and demeanor, so such things were a little expected when watching this film.

I definitely enjoyed the film despite some of its minor setbacks; I thoroughly enjoyed Dave Bautista’s portrayal of Drax and his comic relief between Baby Groot throughout the film. While I don’t think it is better than its predecessor, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 still delivers the awe and stunning visuals. I can only imagine what it’s going to be like to see both the Guardians and Avengers together on the same screen in Avengers: Infinity War Part I & II, which is in development now.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will hit theaters nationwide May 5th.

 

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I am married to a beautiful and devoted woman; I have been writing for over ten years now with one science fiction novel published and currently working on a couple screenplays. I am a college graduate with a Masters in criminal justice and currently furthering my education for my Ph.D in criminal justice. In my off time, I game on Xbox and my gaming computer when time permits.

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