Back in 2014, Marvel Studios released two films underneath its MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) banner. While the first (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) was met with high praise for its more grittier action and grounded narrative from its predecessor, Marvel`s second 2014 film (Guardians of the Galaxy) was literally amazing and “out of this world”. With relatively unknown cast of comic book characters and with only some minor connection to the rest of the already established MCU, Guardians of the Galaxy followed the adventure of Peter Quill (aka Star-Lord) and his ragtag team of cosmic outlaw misfits (Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot) as they must band together and save the galaxy from the villainous deeds of Ronan the Accuser. Filled with humor, sci-fi action, and a lot of 70s and 80s pop culture songs, the film went on to become a rousing success, collecting roughly $770 million at the box office (worldwide) and gained almost universal praise from critics, fans, and moviegoers. The success of Guardians of the Galaxy was also a big victory for Marvel, proving to them that their audience viewers were ready to expand beyond their already established characters in the cinematic universe; an action that prompted the studio to move forward with other less-known superheroes (I.e. Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel) to the big screen. Following the success of last year's Captain America: Civil War and Doctor Strange, Marvel Studios and director James Gunn are ready to announce the third installment of the MCU Phase III saga. With the hype and excitement inherited from fans, will Marvel's cosmic band of misfits succeed in his second film, or is it far from what made the first film so impressive? Is not it?
STORY OF THE FILM :
Set roughly one year after they saved Xandar and defeated Ronan the Accuser, the Guardians of the Galaxy, consisting of Peter Quill / Star Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), and Baby Groot (Vin Diesel), are now embracing their reputation as skilled mercenaries-for-hire, with their recent task of taking down an interdimensional monster to help the gold-skinned Sovereign people and their leader, Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki). With their mission complete, the Guardians leave the Sovereign`s world, only to find themselves being pursued by Ayesha`s forces and barely escaping destruction. Crashing landing on a nearby planet, the team encounters separates as each one follows a different path .Gamora is once again confronted with her hardened sibling, Nebula (Karen Gillian), who`s jealous rage is still committed to besting her sister and her Guardian friends, while Rocket and Groot find an unlikely ally in the reappearance of Yondu (Michael Rooker), now a disgraced Ravager captain trying to salvage his ruined reputation, As for Peter, yearning to learn the identity of his father, gets a satisfying surprise when his father, Ego (Kurt Russell) arrives after lengthy search, with a promise of reconnecting with his long-lost son, while Drax finds an unlikely friendship with Ego`s companion, Mantis (Pom Klementieff). As the Guardians faced their own personal journey, the mystery behind Ego quickly comes to light, calling upon them to strengthen their bond and save the galaxy once again.
PRO's AND CON's OF THE FILM :
I can honestly say (beyond a shadow of a doubt) that, as it stands within the fourteen core entries of Marvel`s Cinematic Universe (from Iron Man to Doctor Strange), Guardians of the Galaxy is my favorite one. To me, it has it all; charm, heart, humor, action, and paints an interesting story for such a lesser known group of superheroes within Marvel`s comic book catalogue. With curiosity peaked to see the movie, I did brush up on its source material and read several of the Guardians of the Galaxy comic books, including Annihilation Conquest (my favorite Marvel comic book series). Suffice to say, my anticipation to see the movie was very high and it was perfectly matched (see my review of Guardians of the Galaxy HERE). The story was great, the cast was even better, and the overall tone and appeal (the whole juxtaposition of a cosmic adventure and 80s pop culture music and references) worked harmoniously well, which made the film soar high above its other MCU predecessors. My love for this movie was quickly recognized by friends and family, and I saw it in theaters seven times, three of which were during the movie's opening weekend. Yes, I'm a total nerd on this movie and I definitely can't get enough. Will it be?". My answer is… Guardians of the Galaxy.
Now let's dive into Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2. As you can imagine, I was so excited to see this movie that I scoured the internet for details (interviews, official (or unofficial) set photos, press releases, etc.) to try and find the film. Then of course the trailers came out and I was (and still am) totally nerdy when I saw them. My anticipation to see Vol.2 was as high as the first movie, so my pre-existing excitement to see the movie was heightened.This movie is Jason's highly anticipated 2017. It was ranked number one in the Top 15 Movies of All Time. Of course I bought tickets and went to the movie premiere. So the big question... What do you think of this Guardian sequel? Well, despite some minor issues, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a very entertaining blockbuster addition to Marvel's ever-growing cinematic universe. It's not as good as the first, but it's still a solid sequel adventure worth experiencing.
Following the huge success of Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel quickly (and deftly) persuaded director James Gunn to stay on with Volume 2, and he did. Gunn, who has included low-budget and lesser-known films such as Super and Slither in his previous work, says he will freely arrange talented casts to create large-scale, big-budget blockbuster feature films. A director's dream come true. Luckily, Gunn nailed it in his first film (a sure win for Marvel) and is largely successful again with his sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. Gunn knows how to build a movie stand that he did in the first movie and has applied that knowledge to making this movie, using what fans/moviegoers liked from the first part. Throwing a curveball into today's superhero filmmaking style, Gunn takes a lot of the fun and excitement from the first film, using plenty of humor, heart, and sci-fi flair to bring the film to life. It's definitely a respectable piece of work, especially since the first Guardian was so well-received. 2 came closer to its predecessor thanks to Gunn's return to the project.
What's also interesting about Vol. 2 is the accessibility of the film. While his other MCU movies are connected in this shared universe, the Guardians of the Galaxy movie is a bit on the edge of this interwoven connection. Sure, the first film had its ties (e.g., Thanos the Collector and the rise of the Power Stone), but beyond that, it stands alone, weaving its own superhero story from the edge of the universe. I was. winding. 2, it's still a sequel to the first Guardians movie, but it's even farther from the MCU connection. Yes, there are still some name drops (references to Thanos, Xander, and Nova Corps), but they're It's just a name you say when you walk by. So the story isn't about what Thanos does, or finding another Infinity Stone, or finding anything in the already established MCU, but Vol. 's Guardians of the Galaxy sequel, and perhaps the least connected to Marvel's shared universe. 2 is easily accessible to casual moviegoers who don't want to bother watching the rest of the MCU movies, but just want to see the movies in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
Of course, the big selling point of the first film was that Gunn used the film's setting to rub Star-Lord's Awesome with the musical highlights of his '70s and his '80s songs in his mix. creating a cosmic adventure sci-fi story. 1. As you might have guessed, Gunn is back with his Awesome Mix Vol. 2" (Star-Lord, awarded at the end of the first film) is the star of Glen Campbell's 'Southern Nights', Looking Glass' 'Brandy (You're a Fine Girl' and 'Father'). It was played throughout the film, along with some of the greatest hits, and in addition to reviving old songs like Cat Stevens' Son, Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' and Cheap Trick's 'Surrender', Gunn's 80 In short, if you liked the first movie for its song choices and 80s cultural references, you'll love Vol too must.
As far as the filmmaking goes, Vol. 2 looks quite spectacular. With a production budget of $200 ($20 million more than his predecessor), Gunn is using the money to create his own sci-fi wonderland with Guardians characters playing around. The sets are bigger and more detailed, the visuals are more impressive and smoothly rendered (the ego planet looks really nice and beautiful), and the practical effects (hair/makeup, prosthetics, etc.) are much better than the various alien characters. It's as detailed as it brings out or brings in creatures. In life. It is also interesting that the first volume focuses on new locations. 2 rather than revisiting the previous one from the first film.From the utopian planet of Ego to the futuristic golden home of the Sovereign to the filthy ship of the Ravager, each new location is wonderfully detailed. And it feels a little refreshing to see a different part of the cosmic world inhabited by the Guardians. Create a compelling, orchestral piece that blends well with. I found
Vol. 2 to be slightly more expletive/suggestive than its predecessor (I mentioned it for my younger fans). This obviously bothered me, but I'm making this available to younger/more sensitive Marvel fans .Remember, Vol. 2 is designated PG-13 for a reason. .
Like the recent Fast and the Furious films (whether you like it or not), the central theme of Vol. I'm here. To further emphasize the themes, the main focus/common theme of the feature focuses on the "father figure" represented by Star-Lord, Gamora, and Nebula from the first Guardians movie.Peter Quill The characters Ego and Yondu are his two fathers in his life, as Ego is the protagonist of the story. One is his biological father (Ego) and the other is his adoptive father (Yondu) who raised him. Similarly, the rivalry between Gamora and Nebula is explored in Volume 2, providing an emotional foundation for both characters while providing a clear understanding of the animosity between Thanos' two adopted daughters towards each other. To do. It will be interesting to see where these characters (Star-Lord, Gamora, Nebula) go from here. Set the stage.The rest of the Guardian characters fall into the latter "family". Because Drax, Rocket, and Groot honed their personas from the start and discovered their strengths/weaknesses/place within this hodgepodge team of outlaws, misfits, and thieves.
as a whole is a solid and likable sub-theme of a film that allows you to empathize with the characters (and their actions) on a more emotional sentimental basis. Unsurprisingly, the fact that Volume 2 is a comic book superhero movie further denies its credibility, which ultimately works in the film's favor, making it a more common choice for modern superhero movies today. It deviates further from the standard "big, bang, boom" standard. I'm not saying there's a lot of Marvel superhero nuance in this movie, but for what it's worth, Vol. 2 is probably the most emotional part of the MCU. Without spoiling it, the final part of the film is definitely a heartwarming and sincere gesture that makes people forget they've seen an MCU movie, and all the more touching for a movie branded as a popcorn blockbuster. There is a drama.
With such a big hit from critics and the popularity of the first film, Vol. Although I rate this movie highly, Vol. 2 is not without negative reviews. First of all, despite its positive strengths, the film lacks the cohesion that the first Guardians film had. Yes, the story seems bigger, more sophisticated, with more character moments, but the story is more tightly interwoven, and in that effort all the cinematic elements of filmmaking and proper Finding a balance, Vol. increase. It's a good storytelling and character development tactic, but it's the general bickering and unity of the Guardians that made the first film wonderfully memorable. With so much to offer, it's a bit sluggish and ultimately the movie is overly lacking in centerpieces. This is also demonstrated by the length of the film (running time 2 hours 17 minutes) compared to the first film (only 2 hours 2 minutes). A 15 minute difference between the two...and the first Guardians movie had a stronger plot and a lot more work (i.e. story development, character development, etc.). Because we chose to spill the team into the narrative. I state all these facts. Because I can't ignore them and point them out to you. That said, I personally didn't mind too much. Yes, fresh and new, I know the first film was better, but Vol. 2 was a very entertaining movie to watch and enjoy. It may not be the Dark Knight of Batman Begins, but Volume 2 is a fun and worthwhile addition to the most anticipated sequels (e.g. Iron Man 2, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Indiana Jones, Kingdom of the Crystal). It's a sequel. skull, etc.).
One of the biggest aspects of what made the first Guardians movie so great was the main characters that made up the Guardians team and the actors/actresses behind them, each of whom had their strengths in portraying their roles. did. In Vol. 2, all these main characters are back, reprising their respective roles, lending all of their talents and camaraderie/chemistry to do a great job with their characters again. As you might expect, actor Chris Pratt is as great as ever, spearheading as team leader character Peter Quill/Star-Lord. Given its growing popularity since the last film (see Jurassic World, Magnificent Seven, Passengers), Pratt could easily return to the role of Star-Lord, giving the character his own charm and taste, I keep projecting myself as stronger. The leading male player in the world of Hollywood today. As I said in the first movie, Pratt has the right balance of humor, heart and heroism, and is easy to pull off in acting, especially with characters like Star-Lord. As I said, I'm a huge fan of Chris Pratt. Probably my favorite role of his is to see him as Peter/Star-Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies (recreation). To me Pratt was great as Pete Quill and I couldn't imagine anyone else playing Star-Lord in these movies.In short, Pratt is Star-Lord and Vol. More solidity... end of story.
Similarly, actress Zoe Saldana, best known for her roles in the recent Star Trek films and Avatar, Live by Night, and Colombiana, is a deadly assassin-like green alien, I'll be back as Gamora. As before, Saldana's Gamora serves as a great counterpart for Pratt's Star-Lord, further toying with their quirky romance ideas.Next, former wrestler (now actor) Dave Bautista. There is the character of Drax the Destroyer, a fan favorite from the first film played by . Bautista has appeared in several movies since his first Guardians movie (see Specter, Heist, Marauders), but his character, Drax, is (by far) the playing the best role. Best one-liner in the first movie. in volume. 2, Bautista's Drax is once again the film's master of comedy, continuing to excel in his character's humorous banter and lewd but nonchalant dialogue. It makes the portrayal of Drax the Destroyer very impressive.As I told Pratt, Volume 2 was (and still is) the perfect candidate for Bautista to play Drax. It is) simply stated.
As for the final two returning main characters of the Guardians team, characters Rocket Raccoon and Groot (or rather Baby Groot) continued to serve as the film`s comedy entertainment side, parring off the more serious role of Vol. 2 (i.e. Star-Lord and Gamora). Actor Bradley Cooper, known for his roles in American Sniper, Silver Linings Playbooks, and The Hangover trilogy, continues to further project his own charm within Rocket, a wise-cracking genetically altered raccoon and, like Drax, does deliver some of the film`s more humorous bits and one-liners. Then, of course, there`s Groot, who is adorably cute in this movie and is continue to be voiced by actor Vin Diesel, known for his role as Dominic Toretto in the Fast and the Furious movies as well as Pitch Black and XXX. While Diesel`s gravelly voice is tuned up (higher pitched) for Baby Groot, he still continues to deliver the signature catchphrases of this anamorphic tree humanoid “I am Groot”. The only drawback I found with Rocket and Groot in Vol. is. movie. This is just a small detail for me too. In addition to the main members of
Guardians, several other characters (and their respective actors) return for this sequel, including Michael Rooker as Ravager Captain Yondu Udonta and Karen Gillian as Evil Nebula. increase. Mallrats, Cliffhanger, and Rooker, who is best known for his role on the popular TV show The Walking Dead, are seen in this picture as his Yondu, who has fallen from grace by his Ravager leader. Bring your own likable charm. His involvement in Volume 2 is heavy on the main story (which also... revolves around being the "dad" of Star-Lord's adoption), and Rooker easily gets the job done. I will do it. I liked his character in the first movie and he continues his good performance as Yondu in his Vol.2. Yondu also has some crazy scenes of whistling flying arrows that are great to watch. As for Nebula, actress Karen Gillian, best known for her role as Amy Pond on hit TV show Doctor Who and most recently on The Circle, is another 'adoptive' daughter of the Mad Titans. Thanos. As I said before, she and Gamora get a big story arc in their relationship in Volume 2, making their character development more fleshed out in this film (and vice versa for Gamora). Gillian has settled on reprising her role as Nebula in Infinity War and the upcoming Guardians sequel, so it will be interesting to see where her character goes from here.
Of all the newcomers to this franchise, the best character has to be Mantis, a new member of the empathetic group played by actress Pom Klementieff.Hacker's Game, Oldboy, Ingrid Known for his previous work on Goes West, Klementieff has an uncomfortably charming presence in his rendition of the Mantis, yet it feels authentic rather than whimsical. She also shares a lot of screen time with Bautista's Drax, as the pair's back-and-forth works well. (and promised to be more involved in the MCU films), Klementieff's Mantis is a welcome addition to the Core Guardians team. As an ongoing mantra, actor Kurt Russell released Vol. 2 as Peter Quill's late father, Ego. Known for roles in Stargate (a favorite movie), The Hateful of His Eight, Overboard, and more, Russell brings his natural talent and charisma to the action in a way only Russell can, bringing his acting prowess to this film. bring. Unfortunately, like many other villains in the MCU (see Iron Man 2, The Incredibles The Hulk, Doctor Strange, Thor: The Dark World), Ego's personality is somewhat mundane and weak. Even the first movie's villain (Lee Pace's Ronan the Accuser) was more memorable than Ego.I liked the actor who played Russell (and his nuanced performance) more than the character himself. So it's like a give and take with Russell's ego. The same can be said for the other villain in Volume 2. Played by actress Elizabeth Debicki, best known for her role in The Great Her Gatsby (2013 edition), the U.N.C.L.E. style villain. Of course, Ayesha is serious and quietly arrogant, so Debicki does the role very well. It features Sons of Anarchy alum Tommy Flanagan as Ravager Talc, Steve Agee as Ravager Gef, and This Is Us actor Chris Sullivan as Ravager Taserface. (haha...his and Rocket scenes are funny), Laura Haddock is back to star in her reprise role as Meredith Quill, and Sean Gunn is also back as Ravager Kraglin. (And more screen time), actor Ben Browder (also known as Crichton from the old sci-fi TV show Farscape) has a small cameo in the film as Admiral Sovereign.
Furthermore, it is Vol. 2, so please be careful. It may not be obvious to causal movie buffs, but avid comics fans and Marvel aficionados (I'm easy) will find it.Finally, Vol. There are a total of 5 mid-credits scenes, so check the credits. Some of them are humorous and funny, while others foreshadow the events and storylines that Marvel's Cinematic Universe might eventually pick up. These credits are evenly spaced and don't dilute the overall enjoyment of watching this Easter Egg ending that we're used to in MCU films.
FINAL THOUGHTS OF THE FILM :
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 returns the Guardians on another "fantastic" adventure to save the galaxy. Directed by James Gunn, the sequel to his 2014 blockbuster combines elements to create a cinematic story full of nuances of emotion, humor and sci-fi action. While it may be beyond the scope of the "magic" that its predecessor had (the narrative has been replaced with the usual story team and the second act is slightly sluggish), Volume 2 has a visually It's packed with a dizzying array of charming and humorous passages. , character-driven moments and sounds from Star-Lord's "Awesome Mix Vol.2". I personally loved this movie (I thought I would).In my opinion the first is slightly better, but Vol. 2 is a follow-up feature to a solid and popular sequel that will please many fans and moviegoers. I honestly have never laughed so much at a 2017 movie. I'm sure this movie will be a fan favorite for the 2017 movie release and I highly recommend it. With Guardians gearing up for Avengers: Infinity War (released in 2018), James Gunn recently directed Guardians of the Galaxy's Vol Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot, and more. Friends aren't over yet by announcing their return to . Captain America: Civil War, last summer, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 certainly kicks off the summer 2017 movie lineup with a bang.
4.4 Out of 5 (Highly Recommended)
Released On: May 5th, 2017
Reviewed On: May 5th, 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is 137 minutes long and is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language, and brief suggestive content
movie book for the film is HERE
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