GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOLUME 2

[SPOILER ALERT] The gang is back for a brand new rock-n-roll space adventure, and this one is without any Infinity Stone involved in the mix. The fifteenth movie installment in the long-running Marvel Cinematic Universe refers very lightly on its connection with the upcoming Avengers assembly feature. That is understandable, considering that Volume 2 sets only a few months after the Guardians saved the world-cum-galaxy from Ronan and his purple Orb. The five-piece motley crew immediately unravels the truth behind Peter Quill's (Chris Pratt) true parentage.

Much like the first film, we got to hand it out to director James Gunn who wrote and directed a well-balanced sequel - and relatively continuing Marvel Studio's own overarching success. Although the sequel feels all too familiar (which is kind of the trend nowadays); the effective use of witty humor, amazing character portrayal, and an in-sync pumping soundtrack makes this sequel excellent and enjoyable. I mean, why break something that works just fine. And of course, Gunn also created plenty of expansive story elements that depart from the original material source, especially the much-debated decision to replace Json with Ego, as the father of Quill. Not a problem for casual audiences anyway.

Meanwhile, on the more negative observation, first, I find that Drax's continuous banters involving genitalia are quite disturbing although funny - for sure, equally annoying too. Another buzz-killer in Volume 2, is the fact that the movie has finally does some justice for the villain, only to be torn down by a heap of recycled and formulaic (and also, occasionally very out-of-random villainous agenda) materials. Almost Marvel, almost! But then, Kurt Russell's version of Ego - the Living Planet ain't that bad after all. Lastly, I do not find myself attached to the whole sibling rivalry between Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Nebula (Karen Gillan) - I just thought it is weirdly resolved and acts more like a baggage than anything useful in here - just my thought!!

I'M MARY POPPINS, Y'ALL!!

Even if it is not particular as memorable as the predecessor; Yondu, Drax (Dave Bautista) and Baby Groot are the real show-stealers. Yondu ascends into a central role by being the heart of the movie, effectively delivered by the ever reliable Michael Rooker. Drax's attempts to turn off the supposedly "advancement" from Mantis (Pom Klementieff) are funny as hell. But with so much on the pot, the central message is still about family. A recurring tone that, in my opinion, very much akin to how "Empire Strikes Back" was set up after "Star Wars". There is a supposed theory how Mantis and Peter Quill could be related after all.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 is another victory for the Marvel Studios, it is crazy enough with all those workable elements from the first film managed to make its way holding strong for the sequel. This is a sequel, a potent one, after all. Rating: A-

Info Dashboard:

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: VOL 2
Casts: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell
Distributor: Marvel Studios (production company), Walt Disney Studios
Director: James Gunn
Screenplay: James Gunn; based on "Guardians of the Galaxy" by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Rating: P13
Release date: 27 April 2017
Running time: 136 minutes