BurtonReviews Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Play it Again DJ
“A movie
about a racoon and a big talking tree. Really Marvel, you’ve gone too far now.”
Cries and sentiments of decreasing faith like this were heard across the world
in 2014 when Marvel Studios prepared to release their first truly cosmic
adventure, as we followed the Guardians of the Galaxy blow up, steal from, but
eventually actually save the galaxy and earn their title. The second the movie
finished, the eye rolls directed at Marvel for making this film ceased immediately.
And yes, that “stupid racoon” and “weird tree” were not only accepted, but
became fan favourites overnight. So, with the first film being able to sneak
attack all of our hearts so incredibly; cementing the Guardians of the Galaxy
as a top tier team of heroes, instead of one hidden by the shadows of
obscurity, is it even possible that the sequel could ever reach the galactic
heights of the first? Well atleast we get a baby Groot out of it, no matter how
this cosmic cookie crumbles.
(Video sourced from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQFIu9InG7Q)
Guardians of
the Galaxy Vol. 2 follows the crew of loveable rogues: Star Lord (Chris Pratt),
Rocket Racoon (Bradley Cooper), Groot (Vin Diesel), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and
Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bausista), as they ride being named the Guardians of
the Galaxy after, well, guarding the galaxy from an infinity stone enhanced,
hammer wielding D-bag in the first film. And business is good, but when an
eerily familiar brand of brand of charm and vanity in the form of Ego (Kurt
Russell) approaches the team claiming to be Star Lords long lost father, the
Guardians’ smooth and easy going-ish lifestyle is bent to breaking point as the
team must decide whether family is defined by blood or actions.
From the
second the nerdgasm inducing Marvel Studios logo fades and the Guardians make
an explosively triumphant and hilarious return to the big screen, it just felt
hella good to be back. Each and every returning cast member gloriously slips straight
back into their loveable roles. And with the origin of how the team formed now
out of the way, the movie is allowed to dive straight into exploring and celebrating
the quirky and funny dynamics that have formed within the team, from Drax’s
pure glee in the face of utter chaos, to Star Lord and Rocket’s searing banter,
it was just a genuine joy to be in the company of these loveable outsiders once
again.
And yes,
baby Groot is unbelievably cute, stealing almost every scene he is in and opening
the film with an excellent show of his new passion, the little wooden guy is
definitely a highlight of the film as this high pithed Groot is still a force
to be reckoned with, whether it is stealing our hearts, or cracking some
skulls.
(Image sourced from http://hdqwalls.com/download/2048x1152/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-concept-art)
The same
likeability can also be said for most of the new cast being introduced here
too. Pom Klemetieff as the innocent emotion altering Mantis fit right in with
the group of misfits. Not a fighter, but with interesting talents of her own,
her empathic abilities brought a new and fresh quirk to the table that was used
both practically, and hilariously throughout the course of the films events.
And while
the opening to the film was more of the sweet Guardians goodness that we all
got our first addictive tastes of in our many viewings of the trend-setting
first film, with a giant monster battle being immediately followed up by an
epically mesmerising space battle through a constantly altering asteroid field;
and the ending of the film has a surprisingly emotional edge that is sure to
stab any audience goer right in the feels, the middle of this film felt sorely
lacking.
After such
an explosive and high octane beginning, of course there is going to be a dip in
the pace, but the one that Guardians 2 takes is of Mount Everest proportions. From
space battles, to lounging around a bachelor’s mansion, no matter how nice the
mansion, can get boring pretty fast.
(Image sourced from http://www.baltana.com/movies/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-chris-pratt-as-star-lord-actor-wallpaper-11626.html)
Unlike the
first movie where there was a constant sense of momentum thrusting the team
forward as they tried to outrun the deadly hammer of Ronan the Accuser, this
film doesn’t seem to have any force or sense of urgency behind it. Instead we’re
just left floating through events with the team, and while there is no better company
to be doing said floating with, the plot of this film needed more and higher
stakes to actually get me to care about what was going on, instead of just
being guided through the motions.
The score
for the movie, by Marvel frequenter Tyler Bates, reintroduces us to the epic
theme for the morally ambiguous Guardians. Hearing it bellow throughout the
cinema reminded me of how much I missed the team as just the heroic tones of
the piece brought a familiar smile to my face.
While the
score on its own is a great addition to Marvel’s record shelf, how it was used
in the film didn’t always sit right. Whilst overall it rose to the forefront at
the exact right moment to give a scene just that extra bit of needed “HELL YEAH”-ness,
at other moments it seemed to be awkwardly placed. Making an interaction or
delivery of a line feel more cheesy and over-dramatic than I think the film was
going for.
(Image sourced from http://www.baltana.com/tag/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.html)
But keeping on
the subject of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s audio kickassery, one thing
that never falters, is the incredible soundtrack Star Lord’s Walkman has lined
up for us. A style that movies have been trying to ape ever since, looking
judgingly at you Suicide Squad, the originator of introducing classic 70s
anthem to a whole new generations is back and better than ever. Every song was
used perfectly, never getting in the way of the events on screen to take you
out of the moment, but instead heightening the moments they are used for to
either all new epic heights, or side splitting laughs.
Another
aspect of Guardians 2 that is damn near perfect throughout the film’s 2 hours
and 16 minute runtime is the CGI. Whether we’re talking about how incredibly
realistic Rocket Racoon looks in every frame of the film, how Baby Groot
somehow feels just as real as his flesh and blood counterparts, or how the
interstellar vistas and pupil dilating imagery always leaves jaws ajar; the
work done in this film is nothing less than a masterclass in the craft.
And that is
not only because of the expert CGI work being done, but also because of the
weird and wonderful vision of director James Gunn. While the film does suffer
from some pacing issues, when Guardians 2 goes into high gear, the imaginatively
devised sequences are just gosh darn cool. From crazy battles of flying rubble
and an insane amount of enemies to be squashed that somehow never become too
confusing that you can’t follow, or work out where the heroic crew are, to Yondu
once again spectacularly showing us that one arrow is all you need, Gunn
expertly brings a dose of tangible excitement to this space epic.
(Image sourced from http://www.baltana.com/movies/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-hd-wallpaper-11122.html)
Overall,
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 isn’t the show stopping homerun that the first
Guardians was. And while it probably won’t make quite the same, or as deep,
shockwaves throughout pop culture, due to some “meh” inducing pacing issue and
lack of momentum for most of the movie, I can’t deny that it was just great to
be back with the team. The laughs are as side splitting as before and the
characters somehow even more loveable. A space epic with heart, that thankfully
doesn’t forget to really bring the epic when its time -
Guardians of
the Galaxy Vol. 2 = 7/10
Why not check out my YouTube channel, BurtonReviews,
where I upload awesome gaming montages put to badass songs or scores every
Sunday. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUfnyezvQsVsDgN3TGRh1Q
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