The gang’s all back. In the recently released sequel, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” directed by James Dunn, Star Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and baby Groot are on screen once again to take us on another adventure filled with danger, jokes, and a sweet soundtrack. The ragtag team we knew and loved from the first movie come back to, once again, protect the galaxy.
This time, the story focuses on the enigmatic past of our mixtape loving hero, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), better known as “Star Lord.” After taking on a job and then stealing from an elite group of gold-skinned aliens called the “Sovereigns,” the plot of the story takes off as the guardians try to escape the enemy fleets in the depths of space.
By chance, because of that event, Quill gets reunited with his long lost dad, Ego (Kurt Russell), and his empathy-reading companion Mantis. Yet, with the leader of the Sovereigns, “Ayesha,” seeking revenge as well as familiar enemies such as Gamora’s sister Nebula (Karen Gillan) or Yondu (Michael Rooker) and his Ravager team coming back for round two, nothing is made easy for the team. Who to trust? Is everything as it seems?
Not only do we get to learn more about the feelings and past of fan favorites from the last movie, but the new characters that we get to know are quite a treat. Pom Klementieff, who plays the somewhat strange yet innocent alien Mantis sells the role quite convincingly. Raised by Ego, she’s introduced to us as a irrelevant side character, yet becomes more likeable and key to the plot as time goes on.
Though Gamora and Nebula are living embodiments of tough female characters that can easily hold their own, Mantis is a breath of fresh air that shows the audience that strong female characters don’t always need to kick and punch their way through everything.
While all is fun and games until, well, it’s not, the film has an awkward way of setting the mood and then not staying in it. One second they could be fighting in a life or death situation and then the next, there’s petty bickering between characters or Drax starts to do his loud unsettling laugh that sounds like it was forced out of him.
Even moments that are meant to be heartwarming are interrupted by funny, yet unnecessary jokes. Though witty one liners and sarcasm is expected and even usually welcomed in this movie, there are times when it would just be nice to take serious moments serious without knowing it’s going to get ruined one way or another.
Other than the fact that it might be too funny, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” is a pleasure to watch with its amusing scenes, interesting characters, and eye-catching effects that really shows every whimsical corner of the universe. This sequel brings up many questions that intrigue the audience and excite them for the next installment.