#REVIEW: “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

The second installment also the Guardians of The Galaxy franchise is everything fans could hope for and so much more. This sequel while great on its own, certainly adds something new and exciting to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For starters, the Film itself is world-building without being blatant and always focused on the story itself.

The Film starts off with our heroes, the guardians, consisting of Star-Lord/Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) on a mission on behalf of the alien race, the Sovereign, which is helmed by the post powerful being of the planet Ayesha/Her (Elizabeth Debicki) as they are to protect the batteries. Upon completion of this side story, the real story dives into the parentage of Peter Quill and becomes the main story of the Film. As comic fans know, and as the trailers pointed out, Ego The Living Planet (Kurt Russell) is Quill’s father and the Movie spends its time diving into that relationship, while serving a side story involving Yondu (Michael Rooker) and the Ravagers including new addition Taserface (Chris Sullivan).

In the first installment, audiences were shown dynamics between all the characters and how they felt about one another. Those relationships are occasionally put to the test in this feature. Quill who is usually the level-headed leader, throws everything aside to find out what happened to his father, and build upon that relationship. With that being said, Chris Pratt does a great job at nailing the essence of Star-Lord while simultaneously trying to figure out why he left all those years.

Drax who is meant to be the comic relief, steals the show again for the most part, as Bautista manages to be just as funny and likable this time around in the most necessary and brilliant ways for the Franchise.  Cooper and Diesel who play the adorable, yet fierce Guardians both bring new elements to the team this time around, as Groot is a baby and trying to rebuild himself up while Rocket struggles with who he is. Gamora is still in a battle with her sister Nebula (Karen Gillian) as both Gillian and Saldana sell their sibling rivalry even better in this Film than the first. Moreover, Rooker whose take on Yondu takes a different turn in this Movie, also does a great job, never giving anything away too soon. Lastly, Russell’s work as Ego/Quill’s father is excellent, providing much of the heart here.

Moreover, a Guardians of the Galaxy Film would not be a success without its music. Thankfully, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has another killer soundtrack that is also an integral part of the storytelling.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a real knockout, and one of the best Marvel Films to date. There also are five post-credit scenes so don’t leave your seat until the very end!

Marvel Entertainment Canada releases GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 in theatres on Friday, May 5, 2017.