Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 Film Review

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It...

If there's one thing that's hard to come by in this cinematic age, it's to watch a film that has a unique sense of authenticity and spontaneity to it. With their being masses amounts of unnecessary teaser and theatrical trailers for the bigger filmic releases which can subtly spoil narrative aspects, that all audiences will instantaneously gauge themselves with, and full-length features that are either continuations of another film or re-fashioning and older yet lauded premise that didn't need to be remade in the first place, it's a rarity to find a high-grossing feature that oozes a profound sense of originality and sincere enjoyment. As much as Marvel's Cinematic Universe - over time - has progressively changed and appealed to the masses with their differentiating heroes and stories, it wouldn't be where it is now if it wasn't for James Gunn's 2014 directorial venture of Guardians of the Galaxy. Yes, Joss Whedon's Avengers Assembled, with the box-office records that it broke at the time of it's initial release, cemented this perception that Marvel features were for all audiences, not just for the devoted. However, the release of Guardians of the Galaxy exemplified the notion that Marvel's ever-expanding universe, had room for different kinds of superhero films that were subtly different the superhero 'norm' but were as equally engageable. In being funny, refreshing, thrilling, full of heart and packed with visual splendour, Gunn's space-age super flick was a surprise that was openly welcomed by all demographics. However, with the summer arrival of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, is their still room for cinema-goers to be in awe by. After all, to make a sequel of a glorified preceding film isn't easy, as history suggests...

Set to the backdrop of 'Awesome Mixtape #2' Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 once again follows Star Lord and his fellow Guardians as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos to save those who are in need of it. In causing trouble right from the get-go, the Guardians must fight to keep their newly found family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill's true parentage... 

As mentioned many times in many different film reviews, one of the hardest challenges that any film-maker will face, especially if they're continuing on a superhero related concept, is to construct a sequel that at least matches the preceding film in relation to the action and the story-telling. For a superhero sequel to work properly, it not only has to have this continuity of entertainment quality that initially was ever-present in the preceding film, but it also has to have a new filmic and story elements that subtly comprehend the familiar formalities that comprised the first feature. In the case of James Gunn's space-punk return with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, as much as it wants to match the unexpected grandeur that the first feature presented in a fun and thrilling way for many viewing eyes to see, the narrative takes a different approach as it meticulously explores each of the Guardians' origins and traumatic pasts which subverts the action-orientated notion that many have to accustom with in relation to the nature of superhero flicks. Indeed, as it subverts the conception of expectancy when it comes to sequels and how the majority of them adopt a tendency to provide more action and and emotion, Vol.2 makes it less about the visually-stimulating action set-pieces, that was one of the aspects that made-up the first film, and instead centralises its premise for the characters that we are now familiar with. As much as each of the Guardians stamp their own mark onto the screen with their familiar quick quips and charms, as they very much did in the foregoing film, it's clear from the way in which the narrative deviates from the Guardians' different perspectives, as Peter Quill conclusively learns about his parentage to the sister-complex that Gamora and Nebula have with one another and the comic-relief intricacies that Rocket has with the adorable and loving Baby Groot, James Gunn clearly isn't just content in having singular characters that are one-dimensional and are only shown to be 'saving the day'. With their being enough screen-time for each one of the Guardians, it's clear that Gunn's focal point was to flesh out the heroes that many people gravitate towards, more than the likes of Captain America or Iron Man. The actions that each of these heroes take, inadvertently, blossom more of the personal attributes of these characters which was something that wasn't present in the previous film and was purposefully executed here so that they can have much more of an emotional weight to them, rather than being your fun guys who listen to cool music and make banter with one another. This traversing of each of the Guardians' qualities, in turn, exemplifies just how much the theme of 'family' serves as the unifying plot-thread. If the first Guardians of the Galaxy was bringing the lovable heroes together, Vol.2 is also about testing that bond; not just among the Guardians, but also through the villains as well. In having their independent stories dominating the structure of the narrative however, with the Guardians splitting-up from the end of the 1st act, one of the biggest issues that the film tries to grapple with, is the meandering unbalance of the structure and how the film, particularly near the end of the 2nd act, has a hard time corresponding  to the equally important story threads of Quill's lineage and Rocket's interaction with the now conflicted Yondu. With their being so many moving parts to the story, all of these different perspectives makes it difficult to stay on-track of where the main thread of the film is going. It's even more problematic that major characters in the third act are absent for big segments of the 2nd act. The decision to keep those specific characters out of the big sections of the film might been done purposefully done to make certain elements of the plot to be more of a surprise. However, considering that many are walking into this lauded Marvel feature filled with a bunch of superhero misfits that people already have an affinity with, the spontaneity that audiences relished in the first film, is expectantly non-existent in Vol.2 which is a sequel that is considerably unbalanced compared to the much streamlined and more compelling first outing. 

The best and most charming quality that all demographics will instantaneously latch onto with Gunn's sequel, is the fleshed-out characterisations of these misfit protagonists that we already have an affection for.  Whether you're rooting for Quill to find the relationship he has longed for with his dad, livid when the Ravagers humanely bully Baby Groot or laughing when either Rocket or Drax are comically mocking at each other, audiences who are familiar with the characters from the first film are coming into this film spurring the actions of the Guardians. As highlighted before, with this sequel emphasising on the character intricacies of the heroes instead of focusing on the action-spectacle that is synonymous with many sequels, there's an emotional weight to these individuals that was never really expressed within the first feature and ultimately shows that they're not just straightforward good guys. Even though the team chemistry isn't there when the film goes beyond the first act, with each one of them going their separate ways, it allows each character's arc room to and build off the foundation that was seemingly established back in the first iteration. Whereas many will find an affinity for Quill's longing search of his own past, it's just as rewarding to watch the emotional growth that Gamora and Nebula go through as sisters since it provides a welcoming weight and we know what came before them; in being the spawn of the malevolent and mysterious Thanos. Stealing the screen with his cute charisma, the comical exploitation of Baby Groot is an easy laugh and a genius deployment on the part of James Gunn since you instantly look at him and you're instantly hooked towards the zany-side that Vol.2 so effortlessly distributes. Even the opening sequence, where we witness the ever-endearing twig frantically dance in the foreground of the frame to the 'Mr. Blue Sky' song whilst the Guardians fend off against a creature in the unfocused background, cements this perspective and metaphorically illuminates what the film is essentially about. It's clear that James Gunn continues from the first film and play into the strengths of each of the characters in Vol.2. However, the overuse of certain gimmicks can make even the most impactful moments, feel stale and and lacks a lot of the effortless charisma of the first go-around since it's trying hard to meet and surpass the high-expectations that many will be expecting going into this sequel. Along side the screen-grabbing and comic-relief centric plug of Baby Groot, one of the more surprising elements that Gunn utilised in relation to the characterisation, and how there's now a reason to care for these individuals, is how imperative Michael Rooker's enactment as Yondu serves as character that provides an emotionalism to the proceedings which has never been exquisitely explored in a Marvel feature of the same magnitude. In reflecting upon the type of character he was established as from the first feature to Vol.2 and what progressively happens to his character up-to the ending of Vol.2, without spoiling necessary plot details, it's interesting to notice how a considered secondary character in Yondu, from the first film, rises up to become a protagonist that cares for the well being of the Guardians; which in turn, illuminates the family affection that is reaffirmed in one Marvel's most emotional conclusions. Unfortunately, less can be said about Kurt Russel's performance as Ego, Quill's father who is fairly threadbare in comparison to how the other characters go about their business. Indeed, if you already have an rapport with Kurt Russel going into this film, it's more than likely that you'll enjoy his rugged charm and his transformation down the narrative line. However, throughout the majority of what we see of him throughout the first and second acts, he is often reduced to long expository sequences where he blatantly explains every-little detail about him and what he's done which just comes off as being really bland; which is unfortunate considering the upbeat tone that Gunn is trying to convey.  

As well as having captivating and funny characters dance and fight their way to save the galaxy once again, it shouldn't be understated that Vol.2, like its predecessor, is as beautiful to look at as last year's illusory Doctor Strange. With it's bright and almost psychedelic aesthetic which clearly assimilates an infinitive 80's influential stylisation this time around, there's plenty to marvel at Gunn's sequel and certainly hallmarks the likes of Star Wars in terms of the depth and nuanced world that are constructed to be as seamless as possible. There are plenty of new planets that are on display, but it's certainly unfortunate that the more interestingly constructed worlds don't get explored as much as the ones that are visited which aren't as interesting. Sporting a similarly funky and retro song arrangement, Gunn, once again, writes the soundtrack into the script with ease; making 'Awesome Mixtape #2' just as impactful as its predecessor which adopted well-known pop-tastic tastes. 

It's always difficult, for any film-maker, to emulate the preceding successes of the initial film into a sequel that introduces new elements and ideas. However, in taking a different direction for a sequel, by focusing on morals and attributes of characters that people will instantly attach themselves to, James Gunn's second superhero excursion in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 certainly provides an emotional angle to the proceedings which it going back-and-forth between the loveable heroes and their journey's in exploring themselves. While it has a lot of problems in regards to storytelling and properly balancing the screen time of the Guardians, something which was seamlessly done in Avengers Assembled, Vol.2 doesn't fall into the misery-pit of awkward and cringey follow-ups. It's a film which, smartly, utilises many of the aspects that worked in the first film, back in 2014, and provides something new in fleshing out exciting and funny characters. It's hard to complain about another adventure with characters you love, and in that way, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 fully delivers. With the film being very a much a standalone story from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and concluding on a subtly ambiguous note, it'll certainly be intersting to see how the Guardians are utilised in the Marvel films to come...

On that note, its time for me to end this week's review. As always everyone, thank you for reading my latest film review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 and I hope you've all enjoyed the read!! 😉. If anyone has an opinion on either my review or on the film itself, feel free to drop a comment down below. Next week, being that Alien: Covenant arrives in cinemas soon, I will be reviewing the preceding film of Prometheus, which is a film that interestingly divides in audience opinion. Once again, thank you to everyone for reading this week's Blog Post, and I'll see you all soon!! Have a nice weekend!! Adieu!! 😁😎✌

8/10 - Alex Rabbitte