by Monica Hayes
Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Baby Groot are back together to save the universe once again and are funnier than ever in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
The adventure opens up with Peter Quill / Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (Bradley Cooper) are battling a squid-like alien for the Sovereign – a genetically perfect people. In the background, Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) is getting his groove on all while smiling, waving and just being plain cute. After completing a job and receiving Nebula (Karen Gillan) as payment to collect the bounty, they are plunged into a battle for their lives with the Sovereign. All thanks to Rocket and his sticky fingers.
Fighting a potentially losing battle, they’re saved by a strange being and eventually crash land. This being, Ego (Kurt Russell), a Celestial God, comes to the crash site to tell Peter he is his father and he has all the answers to his questions. Mainly, who he is. Yes, Quill, aka Star-Lord is part Celestial God. Peter, Gamora, and Drax go with Ego to his planet so he and Peter can talk about his lineage. Meanwhile, Rocket is left to guard Nebula and fix the ship. Enter Yondu and the Ravagers. This is where things take a turn for the sappy.
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol.2 felt like one big Feeling Fest. Peter and Ego are having a father-son moment. Gamora and Nebula, who normally have a hate/hate relationship, find time for some sister bonding time. Drax has some weird and funny moments with Mantis (Pom Klementieff). Hell, Yondu (Michael Rooker) and Rocket have a moment where they realize they are the exact same. Oh, and EVERYONE had their moment with Baby Groot. The feelings were flowing so much that the audience couldn’t help but shed a tear or two. Feeling Fest left the building once Ego revealed his true self. This is when the fun starts.
Funnier than the first, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol.2. spread the laughs around this time. Pratt, in the first film, was the one with the quick wit, and cheesy one-liners. This time around, Bautista gets in on the laughs and had the audience in tears. The banter between him and the socially-inexperienced Mantis is priceless. Oh but, Baby Groot gets his laughs in also. There is action from beginning to the end and the plot is easy to follow.
However, this film gives viewers a different perspective not seen in the previous movie in that they find themselves in unfamiliar territory; they finally realize they are a family. A dysfunctional one, but family nonetheless. Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is must see.
Be sure to stick around for the post-credits.
Grade A