Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Review

• This is a NON-Spoiler review for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

• Plot Summary: "Peter Quill and his fellow Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries from invaders. When it is discovered that Rocket has stolen the items they were sent to guard, the Sovereign dispatch their armada to search for vengeance. As the Guardians try to escape, the mystery of Peter's parentage is revealed."

• Sorry that it took me so long to get this up. I've been sick the last few days. I don't know if I've ever mentioned this but the first Guardians of the Galaxy is my favorite Marvel movie. It was so awesome when Guardians came out in theaters. It had been nearly two months since I had seen any movies (which is a lot for me). I just fell in love with everything about that movie. I discovered one of my favorite actors Chris Pratt. Everyone that I talked to thought that the movie was going to suck. It's a sci-fi movie that had a talking tree and a talking raccoon. But it came out and it was this fantastic Magnificent Seven type sci-fi western with a classic 80's feeling to it. It had an awesome set of characters and music and adventure. And the first Guardians remains at the #1spot of my Marvel movie list. I kinda see this movie as the Age of Ultron of the soon to be Guardians trilogy. I had A LOT of fun with Vol. 2. But I think the first one is better. Let's get into why.

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• I think the biggest problem with the movie is the fact that we didn't focus very much at all on the characters in the team. I know this is said about a lot of movies but I think it very much applies to the first Guardians. Guardians of the Galaxy completely felt like a western. It was an awesome ensemble of character. It was about all these criminals coming together to do something good. Star-Lord and Rocket and Groot were all bounty hunter criminals who worked alone. Gamora wanted to kill her entire family. And Drax wanted to kill the main villain to avenge his family. And they all came together to do something good. Did you know that each character has a near-death experience in the first movie? Marvel (as they usually do) balanced this ensemble perfectly. In Vol. 2 Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora all take a back seat and the movie tries to focus on Star-Lord.

• I'm perfectly fine with watching an entire movie that focuses on Star-Lord. But the biggest problem Vol. 2 has is that it doesn't feel like this is an important chapter in Star-Lord's story until the last act of the movie. (This isn't a spoiler because you see this in the trailer) whenever Kurt Russell shows up and reveals to Peter that he's his father, that's pretty much all that happens. He's his dad. And they like to hang out. and it just makes you go "cool..." It doesn't feel important other than the fact that we get to know a little bit about Star-Lord's dad. But when we get into the final act, THAT'S when it gets really good and very emotional. I won't spoil the movie for you but the thing that Star-Lord does to rise up against his enemy towards the end was fantastic. I love the part that Yondu played in this story (although it felt a little forced). Chris Pratt said he cried when he first read the script he cried. I know exactly what spot he cried at. I think this is Chris Pratt's best performance and the best emotion he's ever shown. But I think that waiting until the final act to finally get into some deep character development is a LONG time.

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• Let's get into some of my other problems. A big problem people have with Marvel is that they have too much humor. I felt that a little bit with Doctor Strange last year. I feel it here. I don't have a problem with Marvel movies being hilarious (because they are). It's when the don't just let a serious moment be serious. That scene in Doctor Strange towards the beginning whenever the Ancient One kicks Stephen out of the temple. Benedict Cumberbatch has one of his best moments in the movie when he's outside of the door saying "don't shut me out", and the door opens behind him and he falls in and he says "thank you." CAN WE PLEASE just let a serious moment be serious?! Please don't get me wrong. I LOVE most of the humor in all Marvel movies. The scenes with Drax and the new character Mantis were priceless. I think that Marvel really figured out how to use these characters to bring some amazing comedy.

• The acting is pretty great all around. As I said, I think this is Chris Pratt's best performance. Michael Rooker was a stand-out. James Gunn really knows how to use Dave Bautista. And I LOVE Bradley Cooper as Rocket SO MUCH! I'm a fan of Karen Gillan but I think she overdoes Nebula quite a bit. I like her character and I like her in most movies but as Nebula, it's just too much sometimes. I was extremely disappointed in the music in this movie. The best song that Vol 2 has given us is Fox on the Run by The Sweet and that's not even in the movie. The first movie has Come and Get Your Love, Hooked on a Feeling, Fooled Around And Fell in Love, The Pina Colada Song, etc. This movie doesn't even come close the hitting that mark. The best song is Fox on the Run and it's exclusively in the trailer. I was so excited to see the scene that had Fox on the Run. The only song I remember from Vol 2. is The Chain by Fleetwood Mac.

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• I just want to make this clear, I really really enjoyed this movie. I've just got some problems with it. I think you'll be missing out if you don't see this movie. It's so much fun. It's not a good as the first but it's an awesome time at the movies. This movie is an explosion of comedy with a pretty good adventure that you will have a great time with. Most of you probably won't care about the story problems and just have fun. Go see it, you'll have a blast. The grade for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a B+. I think I'm gonna do a spoiler review for this movie sometime. So maybe stay tuned for that. Thanks for reading and go see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2.