Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 (2017)

When you ask Marvel fans what their favourite MCU movie is, you usually get the same answers; “Captain America: Civil War”, “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Avengers: Infinity War” are all popular picks for the best of the bunch. But the movie that I believe stands alongside “Avengers Assemble” as the greatest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is 2017s polarizing “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2.”

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” is a hysterical, exciting and heart-breaking sequel that delivers on every level. It’s a flawless emotional roller-coaster that will make you laugh, cry and leave you on the edge of your seat, I love this film so much and cannot wait to start examining it!

Director James Gunn did a superb job writing and directing “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2”, this is a movie that clearly comes from the heart of a storyteller with a vision and passion for their work. From the neon 80s aesthetic (complete with arcade machine-controlling drones) to the inner trauma of the protagonist’s pasts, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” explodes off the screen with personality to spare.

The cast here are really amazing, every actor brings humour, pathos and nuance to their roles. Chris Pratt gives a relatable and engaging performance as Peter Quill/ Star-Lord, this movie plays with the idea that Quill is still that frightened boy who watched his mother die. This childish hero is one who could easily have become annoying but Pratt and Gunn did a masterful job of making Star-Lord such a great protagonist.

Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista are both magnificent as Gamora and Drax respectively; Bradley Cooper’s Rocket once again remains a high-point, we learn more about Rocket’s view of the world and how broken he is. Rocket does some highly irresponsible things in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” that have unforeseen negative consequences, but he’s always a sarcastic yet loveable character who’s a joy to see on screen!

I couldn’t review “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” without discussing Baby Groot, who is one the most adorable movie characters in all of cinema! Baby Groot is astounding, he doesn’t feel like a cheap merchandising ploy but an integral part of the story (because a key theme of the film is parenthood.) I cannot now listen to “Mr Blue Sky” without seeing Baby Groot dancing (which just happens to be one of the greatest title sequences of all time); Baby Groot is a marvellous character… he grew up so fast.

A highpoint in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is Michael Rooker as Yondu Udonta. After watching the first “Guardians of the Galaxy”, you assume that Yondu is simply a fun supporting character, but here, Yondu is elevated to being one of the most complex characters in the MCU. He goes from being a b-rated villain to being a central member of the cast. His complex relationship with Star-Lord is deeply moving and touching, Yondu and Peter Quill are one of my favourite father-son duos in movies!

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” houses one of my favourite MCU antagonists, Kurt Russell as the manipulative and mysterious Ego. Russell plays this part brilliantly, the audience want to like him but something seems off, he’s an intimidating and unnerving threat. Some people take issue with Ego because he’s apparently an anti-God figure, I didn’t see any evidence of this in my many viewings of this film, but I think it’s good that a movie like this evokes those sorts of debates.

The greatest strength of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” is its character drama. This really isn’t a plot driven story, what really pushes the narrative forward are the characters. The cast and crew did an outstanding job of delving into the characters psyche’s, defining what makes them tick and their damaged origins.

A big point of contention regarding “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” is its tone. Many audience members complain that this film is a tonal mess because it cuts from a cute baby tree dancing to a cute baby tree being abused. Whilst I understand where these people are coming from, I fundamentally disagree with that entire issue (even though mistreating baby trees is criminally wrong!) I love that this film goes out of its way to be unique and different, yes it contains some of the most uproarious moments in the entire MCU (“I'm Mary Poppins, y'all!”), but it also features some of the most disturbing scenes in the series. There are times when I watch this movie that I honestly can’t believe that Disney let James Gunn get away with some of the content in the story, but the fact that this film so effortlessly balances darkness, tension and crass humour is one of its many strengths!

The CGI and visual effects here are some of Marvel’s best ever. Rocket and Baby Groot look absolutely phenomenal, and Ego’s planet (where the bulk of the plot takes place) looks stunning. CGI obviously doesn’t matter if it surrounds a weak story, but as the story here is fantastic, I think it’s worth praising how great this movie looks!

The action sequences, whilst not Marvel’s best, are incredibly entertaining. Rocket’s takedown of the Ravagers is hilarious and the third act, whilst very effects heavy, never loses sight of its loveable heroes. But the set-piece that stands above the rest is the riotous “Come a Little Bit Closer” escape sequence, featuring Yondu, Rocket and Baby Groot. This ties back into my appreciation of the more hard-edged moments in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2”, even though this scene is immensely enjoyable, the body count is SO high! Mass murder included, this sequence is a blast!

Despite the devastating events of “Avengers: Infinity War”, I maintain that “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” is the most emotionally powerful MCU instalment YET. Whereas many franchise films bank on the popularity of a character and therefore don’t put a lot of effort into their death scenes, this movie constructs one of the most bittersweet finales and poignant deaths in any blockbuster. The genius is that the narrative isn’t depressing (I still leave this film with a smile on my face), but I cannot get through the conclusion of this movie without getting a lump in my throat.

One of the most highly anticipated aspects of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” was its soundtrack and oh wow did it live up to the hype! I would argue that the soundtrack here is better than that of the first movie, it’s a catchy blend of famous and lesser known tracks that I listen to many-a-time. Also, the original song for the film (“Guardians’ Inferno”) has the Hoff in it… need I say more?

Before I stop talking about this masterpiece, I just want to put my feelings about this film into perspective with the wider series. I believe that “Avengers Assemble” is the best MCU movie, because it’s the best representation of what makes the MCU so special and has the most entertainment value.

But as of right now, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” is the greatest film that Marvel has produced, it’s bold and quirky, trying and succeeding to be not just big in scale, but also big in heart and spirit. It’s a beautiful insight into family, loss, redemption, sacrifice and love. I know I’m talking about “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2” like it’s an Oscar-winning indie film, but I can’t deny that it touched my soul, and not many movies do that.

“In times of hardship, just remember- WE ARE GROOT.”