Movie Review: Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2

When I first saw "Guardians of the Galaxy" a few years ago, I really did not know what to expect as I was not familiar with the characters or the story. When the first scene came up, a sad boy in a hospital playing a cassette tape with "I'm Not in Love" playing, I thought "Huh? Wasn't this supposed to be a 'space movie' why were we back in Earth?" Turns out the film had more human and earth elements to it and ended up being my favorite Marvel movie-ever. It feels like James Gunn's bunch of a-holes hijacked my love and I was a fan ever since. 

Now, with the much awaited finally hitting theaters, things can get a little tricky. You see a sequel to a much loved movie can either be a success or a disaster and with the many super hero movies that have come out in the past few years, who really remembers the second one right? well, except for "Captain America: Winter Soldier" the rest are forgettable and fall under that obscure list of movies you forgot that you actually saw. 

Well I'm glad to say that "Volume 2" of the Guardians of the Galaxy delivers and stands on its own amidst the many super hero movies that come out year after year. The team becomes more of a family unit and this time things are personal. I love how they were able to keep much of the plot underwraps despite the highly anticipated trailers, you really weren't sure where the story was going, except that the guys are back and are hilarious as ever. Which is why I will honor this tradition as well and keep this review as spoiler free as possible. 

Being a music geek, the now ingenious, unprecedented and probably game changing decision of director James Gunn to not only feature 70's pop music but to successfully incorporate it into the story has become a distinguishing trait of the film, one that has fans like me, born decades after discovering a treasure trove of awesome music and this continues in the sequel. Unlike in the first movie where you were not expecting a mix tape of songs to feature so prominently in the film, this time around you have an idea of what's going to be playing and (if you're like me) you have already listened to and downloaded some of the songs, it would be no surprise that you would be singing and dancing to the different songs (even if you're just seeing the movie for the first time). I have a vinyl of the first film's soundtrack and will definitely get one for the sequel! Currently listening to the songs from the two movies, which is also downloaded on my Spotify account. 

The film once again opens with a flashback on Earth and looks into Peter Quill's (AKA Star-Lord, played by Chris Pratt, who now has a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star under his name, by the way) parentage, we know his music loving mom passed away in the first movie but who is the "star man" that she fell in love with and whose genetic code made it possible for Peter to hold an infinity stone (again, in the first film) -albeit for a short moment only? This is a central theme in the movie and which is where much of the plot revolves in and-that's all that I'm saying about that. *zips lips*. 

Groot (Vin Diesel) is now Baby Groot and is loveable and adorable as ever. Ever time he is on screen, the audience would just 'awwwww' and he just makes you want to take him home. But I think the one who stole the show was Drax (Dave Bautista) whose literal humor and dead pan delivery just had audiences laughing every time he was on screen.  

I'm glad that Micheal Rocker's Yondu gets more screen time and that we look into his character - 'Why did he keep Peter all those years ago?'

Some things I didn't like about the movie though? Well it seems that everyone has some issue that needs to be dealt with (which was unnecessary for some) and some jokes were played through rather extensively. 

Aside from the things I mentioned though, "Vol. 2" is a fun, personal movie which maintains the same charm and humor which made the first movie so memorable and a fan favorite. 

I thought, well, Paul and I thought that the 3D conversion (it's probabbly better in IMAX) was a bit too dark and will definitely see the movie again when it comes out. 

There are four mid credits and one post credit scene after the film, so just sit back and enjoy the ending credits, its actually pretty entertaining and opens up a whole lot of possibilities in the future *winks*. 

8.5 out of 10. "Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol.2" is now showing in cinemas!

#RockTheGalaxyPH 
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