![]() There was no doubt in anyone's mind that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 would be a fantastic film. With an all-star cast, a stellar sound-strack, and an out-of-this-world legacy to follow, Marvel was almost guaranteed to deliver a hysterical follow-up to the surprise 2014 fan-favorite. It had all the makings to be a true successor to the original. I mean, Stallone is in it for crying out loud and Marvel has proven itself with some incredible teasers and promotions leading up to the premier. I pre-ordered my ticket almost a month in advance, I was stoked. Heading into the movie tonight I expected three things; the humor was going to be on point, the story would be a satisfying journey to follow (no matter how ridiculous), and I was going to have a great time. What I didn't expect was the immense heart, strong character development, and over-all emotional roller coaster that had my eyes welling up in its final moments. Powerhouse performances from familiar faces and some very strong introductions from new additions threaded together a bright and colorful narrative about one simple thing (that ends up meaning so much more in its final hoorah) - family. It's a story about finding your place in the galaxy (pun intended) that showcases the mastery of Marvel's ability to take a well-written script and pair it with the right people (in regard to both cast and crew) and deliver on all fronts for fans of both the comics and the Cinematic Universe. And yeah, I cried. It was worth it. ![]() (Minor plot spoilers ahead for GoTG Vol.2): What's left for a group of rag-tag vagabonds turned good-guys after the universe has been saved? What's left for the Guardians to do when there's no galaxy to guard? Time to tie up loose-ends, kick ass, and take names. The film opens on the Guardians in the midst of a battle against an inter-galactic baddie who is out to steal some very pricy, very important batteries that belong to a race of golden-skinned, high-and-mighty aliens called The Sovereigns. Bad-guys destroyed? Check. Nebula recovered as payment? Check. Rocket nabs said expensive and important batteries and initiates an all-out war between the Guardians and The Sovereign that flings the Milano and its crew half-way across the cosmos? Check. Thus begins the adventure of Star-Lord and his cohorts as they happen upon a stranger named Ego who rides around in an egg-shaped space-cruiser, has incredible powers, and has an antenna clad servant (who is one of the coolest additions to the MCU in years). These two have been traversing the galaxies looking for Peter Quill. This guy's a Celestial; an immortal, almighty being with some rocking' 80s hair. Oh, did I mention this guy is Peter's dad? Yeah, that's where this gets messy. The Milano is wrecked and Gamora, Drax, and Star-Lord have no choice but to join Mantis and Ego on an emergency trip to their home-world, leaving Nebula, adorable Baby Groot, and Rocket alone on a desolate planet call Berhert waiting for back-up. The Sovereign hire Yondu and his Scavengers to go after the Guardians for justice and the clock is against them all. The team is split, they're arguing, trust is broken, and the groups find themselves split apart in a desperate attempt to pick up the pieces from a fluke fight that changes the course of their paths in bigger ways than they could imagine. Star-Lord is just happy to find his father, you feel so much for this guy as he finally gets to play ball and spend quality time with his dad (and man, Pratt shines in this performance), but in doing so he pushed away the girl he loves and refuses to see the situation for what it is. Meanwhile, Yondu's men have turned on him and have taken Baby Groot and Rocket into custody. Nebula is alerting the Kree (that should be a BIG red flag for all you Marvel junkies for what's about to come) and is heading straight toward a fire-fight for revenge against her sister. And in the midst of it all Drax has made a new friend in Mantis (and it's literally the cutest thing you'll see all year). But daddy Star-Lord isn't all that he appears, he's got a Thanos-sized destroy the universe kind of plan that nobody saw coming. The Guardians are set to face a foe that threatens the whole of the galaxy, causing a catastrophic battle for the fate of all races and planets in existence. All-the-while the Sovereign are still in hot pursuit and the world on which they stand is literally fighting back. Oh, and did I mention that this movie has one of the most clever Pac-man references in film? It's a fast-paced, humor filled journey that follows a strong cast of characters rediscovering not only themselves but what they mean to each other that demands to be seen on the biggest screen you can manage, and as fast as humanly possible. ![]() I loved the fact that the film focuses so heavily on each member as an individual, inevitably reinforcing their bonds as Guardians and with the unexpected others in their lives. You see Star-Lord discover the whole of who he is and it's emotionally painstaking. Gamora and Nebula painstakingly try to rekindle their busted sisterhood. There's a strong, touching friendship that grows between Rocket and Yondu (who plays a huge role in the film and it will easily make him one of your top favorite under-dogs), and a very sweet and innocent companionship and raw honesty grow between Drax and Mantis. Oh and angry Baby Groot is awesome. Tons of fan-service, slow-motion explosion scenes, and a soundtrack ripped straight from your momma's vinyl player really knocks this blockbuster out of the park. It's a very self-aware and brutally honest narrative about family, trust, and the importance of 'those unspoken things'. It's a fully fleshed out story that spends equal time adding to the characters you love so dearly while also keeping true to the humor and classic MCU style you've grown to love over the years. Everyone gets equal time in the spotlight but their stories are interwoven in a way that feels cohesive. There are heart-breaking moments and quotable humor aplenty in every scene, breaking up some very tough topics with the light-hearted and ill-timed quips that made the first film so noteworthy. And oh, those five end-credits scenes? Yeah, hard-core comic fans prepare to have your minds blown. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is everything you'd want in a sequel and not everything you'd expect it to be. So...Why are you still sitting here reading this? Why are you not in the theater watching this film? What's wrong with you? You only get one chance to save the galaxy.... twice, so enjoy the ride. ![]() Written by Alycia D. (MaybeMockingbird ) All pictures are copyright Marvel and Disney. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 is currently playing in theaters nationwide, it's rated PG-13
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