Review: Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2

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The Galaxy ain't gonna save itself.

When we meet up with the Guardians, they're doing a job for a species called The Sovereigns. Their payment is Nebula (Karen Gillan) as a prisoner. On their way out, Rocket (Bradly Cooper) swipes some batteries and the Sovereigns go after them. They're saved by a man called Ego (Kurt Russell) who reveals himself as Peter's (Chris Pratt) father. When he takes them to his mysterious planet and explains why Peter is so special, it doesn't take long for Gamora (Zoe Saldana) to realize something is wrong. 

There is so much going on in this movie that I have to separate it by likes and dislikes. Sorry this is getting forum-y.

LIKES
*The cinematography is gorgeous as always. That's one thing that's always stood out about the Guardian's films. Only Doctor Strange has come close to looks as beautiful.
*Gamora and Nebula's sibling relationship. I like that the film took the time to explain Nebula's feelings towards her sister and her father. It was very complex
*Mantis (Pom Klementieff) was a nice addition and I liked her scenes with Drax (Dave Bautista)
*Speaking of Drax, and Rocket as well, both character got more development. 
*Yondu (Michael Rooker) is the absolute highlight of this film. Rooker is an amazing talent.
*They didn't go overboard with Baby Groot like I expected them too. There was really only one scene of pandering.
*The humor was excellent, even if they went a little too hard with Drax a few times.

DISLIKES
*Peter's story with his father. It's sad when the star of the show and the leader of the Guardian's has the worst story. The movie wants us to see this as the main event, yet the progression of it felt like a deus ex machina. It also didn't pack the same emotional punch as the others. Even though some of the other side stories were better, if they wanted this one to work, there should've been less going on.
*The Sovereigns felt pointless. I know after one of the (5) end credit scenes that they set up Guardians 3, but they were an annoyance.
*I couldn't care less about Sylvester Stallone's cameo or purpose. Even though he had a small amount of screen time, it should've been spent on something else.
*And that dude needs subtitles.
*Chris Pratt's acting has somehow gotten worse. Baby Groot's CGI tear was more heartfelt than his. 
*I've seen bad Marvel movies before, but I've yet to see one that felt so...pretentious. This one did at times. 

Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy 2 doesn't offer much that's new. It's saved by its supporting cast and comic relief, but its leading man and the story revolving around him falls flat. It's still good for a few laughs, but it could've been so much better.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: C+

Memorable Quote: "Did you grow a penis?" - Drax (Dave Bautista)

Comments

  1. Drew TylerMay 17, 2017 at 8:35 AM

    I agree about Yondu. I wasn't expecting him to get so much development! The scenes between him and Rocket were very emotional. It helps that Rooker absolutely nails it. Although there was a lot of development, the middle act was a little clustered because it had to balance serious and humorous moments between two groups since the team was separated. I still enjoyed the hell out of this movie, though! A dancing Baby Groot was the perfect way to get started.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 17, 2017 at 9:24 AM

      I thought the dancing was massively pandering lol. I did like Gamora stopping and saying "hi" to him because that's exactly what having a little kid is like. lol

      Delete
  2. Often Off TopicMay 17, 2017 at 9:12 AM

    Gawd, I'm glad someone else feels the same way I do about Stallone. I actually laughed when he turned up.
    I wasn't fond of Yondu in the original and I was a bit 'meh' about him turning up again here, but he was amazing! I can't hear the name Mary Poppins anymore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 17, 2017 at 9:24 AM

      lol me either. I hate Stallone. I can't watch anything with him in it without getting massively annoyed.

      Delete
  3. m.brownMay 17, 2017 at 1:07 PM

    You HATE Stallone? WHATTTTT? How is this even possible?

    I had something useful to say, but now I'm going to go cry in the corner. *wanders off muttering incoherently*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 18, 2017 at 8:01 AM

      How can you even understand him? All I hear is "ahkjashdkjashdkjashdkjashdkaj" when he talks.

      Delete
  4. thevoid99May 17, 2017 at 3:25 PM

    I do agree with you that Stallone needs subtitles as I had a hard time understanding him. I still liked the film though it's not as good as the first one. I'm just glad you liked anything involving Baby Groot and Yondu.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 18, 2017 at 8:00 AM

      My Stallone hate rages to epic proportions lol.

      Yondu was the star of this. Loved him.

      Delete
  5. BirgitMay 17, 2017 at 3:56 PM

    Stallone is in this??? Why??? I am looking forward to this but I know it won't be as good as the first film

    ReplyDelete
  6. Carson Maitland - SmithMay 17, 2017 at 5:59 PM

    Can't go wrong with Stan Lee's cameos

    ReplyDelete
  7. Big Screen Small WordsMay 17, 2017 at 8:24 PM

    You perfectly summed up my thoughts about the movie. Still a great installment and a fun one at that.

    ReplyDelete
  8. DanielMay 18, 2017 at 2:01 PM

    Aw, I really enjoyed this and got unexpectedly emotional near the end of Peter and Ego's storyline, which I was NOT expecting. I don't think they needed to go quite so all in on the daddy issues, but it worked for me more than it didn't. The Sovereigns, too, but that's mostly down to how perfect Elizabeth Debicki was.

    I was SO afraid that after that opening the whole movie would be spent pandering with Baby Groot - the dancing was enjoyable, but any more would have been overkill. I was very glad they didn't go overboard.

    Drax was HILARIOUS this time out. Rocket's still my favorite, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 19, 2017 at 6:53 PM

      I felt the most emotional when Gamora wad apologizing to Nebula. That got me.

      Drax is hilarious, I never expected Batista of all people to pull that off. He was such a bland wreslter.

      Delete

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