GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 Spoiler-Free Review; "An Out Of This World Experience"

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 Spoiler-Free Review; "An Out Of This World Experience"

There's just one more week to go until Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is released, so hit the jump for our completely spoiler-free verdict on this highly anticipated sequel from Marvel Studios...

Review Opinion
By JoshWilding - Apr 29, 2017 05:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Vol. 2
Guardians of the Galaxy exceeded expectations in every way possible back in 2014, so to say that hopes were high for the sequel to deliver would be an understatement. From finding the same magic soundtrack to special effects and story, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 had the odds stacked against it from the start despite the return of writer/director James Gunn and the brilliant ensemble cast from the first instalment. It's amazing then that this is one of those rare follow-ups which not only delivers but exceeds the aforementioned expectations, actually eclipsing the first in damn near every way possible as a result. 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is in some ways more contained than the first movie (which often felt like something of a road trip through outer space). While there's plenty of spectacle and jaw-dropping new planets to behold, much of the action is takes place in just a handful of locations. That would hurt a lot of movies, but Gunn makes such great use of the story and characters that it never matters and is unlikely to be something you ever really notice. It goes without saying that the returning cast members are all great, though it's Chris Pratt who steals the show this time as Star-Lord is taken on an emotional and compelling journey of discovering his father's identity and what exactly that means for him. It was, of course, Dave Bautista who stole it last time around, but Drax's unique brand of humour is a tad hit and miss in this outing, an issue which proves to be Vol. 2's only real issue. While the jokes made by our heroes land a good 90% of the time, there is that 10% which just don't work, something which results in some lines feeling a little forced or out of place.

That's a pretty minor complaint, though, and there's no denying that this is a fun movie with a strong story and performances which will stick with you for a long time to come. It goes without saying that Kurt Russell is superb as Ego the Living Planet, while newcomers Pom Klementieff and Elizabeth Debicki are also excellent (the former will make a much bigger impression on you as a character you want to see more of, but the latter sets up something pretty huge for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and escapes being a typical generic Marvel villain as a result). The work of Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn as Yondu and Kraglin also deserves to be highlighted as both take two entertaining characters from the first movie and give them a heck of a lot of heart here. However, despite all of this, it should come as no surprise to learn that Baby Groot is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2's true star. Hilarious in places and heart-wrenching in others, the tiny sentient tree is destined to become a firm fan-favourite and may just be the best thing Marvel has done to date. If you don't want your own Baby Groot by the time all is said and done, you may very well be dead inside. Just saying. 

In terms of story, the movie is a little lighter than some other comic book adaptations, but that's no bad thing when there's so much going on. Splitting the team up proves to be a wise move and the huge amount of heart they bring to the table help make this a sequel to remember. The father and son theme is a strong one too and things head in some unexpected directions throughout making this an even bigger triumph than the first in terms of sheer originality. Special effects are flawless, while the soundtrack is arguably better than the first thanks to some great tunes from the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Glen Campbell, and Cheap Trick. There's a lot to dissect in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (we'll get to all that in some upcoming feature), but this is by far one of the best and most inventive superhero movies to date; where else will you find an adorable living tree dancing to ELO as his teammates get their asses kicked in the background? 

An out of this world experience packed full of strong performances, stellar story beats, and fresh ideas help ensure that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is one of Marvel's best movies to date. It may, in fact, be their greatest of all-time. 


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EZBeast
EZBeast - 4/29/2017, 4:50 AM
"one of marvel's best movies to date" You might be the only reviewer to say this that I've seen.
CaptainElrond
CaptainElrond - 4/29/2017, 6:49 AM
@MrNegative - *cough contarion *cough
IctyoSapien
IctyoSapien - 4/29/2017, 8:08 AM
@MrNegative - Im from South America and i watched it yesterday, and i have to agree, its my new favorite in the MCU. But I might be a little biased because these movie really connected with me on a personal/sentimental level, cuz daddy issues.
connorblaze
connorblaze - 4/29/2017, 4:53 AM
I loved it as well, although I thought Drax humour always landed and he was the funniest part of the film for me. Pratt delivered by being so likeable, but his acting was less than excellent this time around. And I say that as one of his biggest fans. But damn the heart in this film was incredible. The end teared me up quite a bit. I never thought I'd be able to grieve over a fictional death while the characters keep likening it to David Hasselhoff. Soundtrack was incredible. Ego was awesome.
Unites
Unites - 4/29/2017, 5:06 AM
@connorblaze - Ego felt rushed for me. Gunn used a lot of time to work towards the big "plottwist", but it didn't land right for me when it happenend.
heisei24
heisei24 - 4/29/2017, 4:57 AM
Certainly not a flawless one, but I found it the most emotional MCU movie.
And the ending is goddamn beautiful.

Kraglin best bro btw
MiKi
MiKi - 4/29/2017, 5:13 AM
@heisei24 - Kraglin was great!
xinstituto
xinstituto - 4/29/2017, 6:05 AM
@heisei24 - Thor's mother funeral was quite emotional too.
heisei24
heisei24 - 4/29/2017, 6:24 AM
@xinstituto - Which then ruined by this scene that follows after it.
BloodyBed
BloodyBed - 4/29/2017, 4:59 AM
I [frick]ing HATE how they have a staggered release scedule.

Thanks, your movie is going to be spoiled idiots. I'm doing by best to dodge them, but I'm having a difficult time. Dick move honestly.
LaserKing
LaserKing - 4/29/2017, 5:55 AM
@ALostCause - YES!!!!! Why do they do this?
ChaosMcKenzie
ChaosMcKenzie - 4/29/2017, 7:07 AM
@ALostCause - I agree, I already know the entire plot and not from anyone spoiler but just from the putting together the pieces of things read in several articles. Except EGO... I can't get a clear answer about Ego at all, and its the piece that will decide if I see it in theatres or not.
TheClungerine
TheClungerine - 4/29/2017, 7:23 AM
@ALostCause - We have a bank holiday weekend (we get Monday off) here in england, which is probably the reason its out here...... as for you guys im not sure why they make you wait.
BloodyBed
BloodyBed - 4/29/2017, 11:14 AM
@ChaosMcKenzie - well, i'm not reading any articles about it, and i just skim the comments section, i'm not TRYING to spoil it lol. i suggest you don't read any of the articles about it. spoiler-free reviews are a lie.
BloodyBed
BloodyBed - 4/29/2017, 11:19 AM
@MonsieurClunge - someone had a really good explanation for it a long time ago on here, i'm trying to remember it. oh wait, google!

.....

meh, it's a bunch of dumb reasons involving tracking going into the US release, and actor's availability for promotional tours, they can't be all around the world at once to market the movie. which really, is stupid and selfish [frick]ing reasons. i doubt it is worth the amount of sales lost to piracy and spoilers.
TheClungerine
TheClungerine - 4/29/2017, 12:35 PM
@ALostCause - actually that makes a lot more sense 😂
JDL
JDL - 4/29/2017, 6:40 PM
@ALostCause - It also has to do with the time of year your film is being released, i.e. its much easier to do simultaneous openings in the off peak months (Jan-Mar, Sept-Nov) than Apr-Aug and Dec. But of course those months are not as good for ticket sales so that's a problem.

But you grossly underestimate the value of good word of mouth on the bottom line and that's one of the main reasons they do it that way. It saves money on P & A. Another is that with foreign theaters you have to get in there when the screens are available. In some countries that may be tricky.

BloodyBed
BloodyBed - 4/30/2017, 4:45 AM
@JDL - huh, that stuff makes sense. I figured word of mouth was a factor, but I just don't understand why that would be worth the piracy and spoilers. Mostly the piracy, it is well known that hollywood has zero artistic merit. You think they would want people to not have their movie spoiled by the rest of the world.

Whatever, they sabotage their viewers enjoyment for the sake of money, nothing new there.
ODanil
ODanil - 4/29/2017, 5:02 AM
Just saw it, SPOILERS below:

it's a great ride, but unfortunately (it breaks my heart to say this) it's flawed. It has flaws that the first one did not have; to name one, at times it feels like you are watching a play where characters monologue about themselves, this stops the movie and hinders the experience. I think it got to to Gunn's head a little bit, he penned the script all by himself while he had help in the first movie.

But overall great fun, amazing laughs in this one.
Unites
Unites - 4/29/2017, 5:04 AM
So, I guess I'm literally the only one in the galaxy, who thinks that Drax was really out of character in this second movie, compared to the first one? I liked most of his jokes and lines, though.
CamtonoOfBeskar
CamtonoOfBeskar - 4/29/2017, 7:11 AM
@Unites - nope, I agree. But I betcha I'm the only one that though Baby Groot was annoying as f**k. The whole "I don't understand what you're saying so I'm gonna keep doing everything the opposite of what you're saying" got old real fast.

Especially the prison scene, good Lord I swear that went on for 10 minutes.
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