A Formula Only As Good As Its Variables

Rating: 8/10 (5 May 2017)

In my estimation, every Marvel movie has to have its own formula, which only really becomes evident in its sequels. Iron Man has Tony's creations turning against him. Thor has his brother issues to deal with. Captain America gets drawn into philosophical battles.
For Guardians of the Galaxy, their formula seems to be: 80s references, cool soundtracks, and trying to work together. In the first film, these all worked together to make an incredibly fun movie.
The second time around, well, the formulas the same, but somehow it just doesn't add up to a greater product, or even an equal one.
don't get me wrong, there is still a lot to love about this second outing of the space Avengers. This time, we find the Guardians in the midst of what they said they would do at the end of the first one: hero work and crime.
Once the hero work is done, and the crime comes back to bite them, the Guardians are stranded on a planet where out of the blue Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is reunited with his long-lost father, Ego (Kurt Russell). It seems to be a happy reunion, but of course not all is what it seems.
This movie does what all good sequels should: continue where the previous film left off but expand on what's come before. This expansion (those who see it will get the pun there) is most seen in the development of the characters of Yondu (Michael Rooker) and Nebula (Karen Gillam), mere supporting characters before, now with extra depth and both do a superb job of complementing the main heroes.
Where Volume 2 falters is in the usual pitfalls of both sequels and Marvel. The soundtrack in particular, while adequate most places, had only one scene where the song perfectly complemented the scene and will be remembered as being the Come A Little Bit Closer scene. It's a shame, since the first one had the Come And Get Your Love opening rat- mic scene, the Hooked on a Feeling and Pina Colada Song prison scenes, and the Ooh Child dance-off finale.
Plus, without spoiling everything, once the true villain is revealed, this film proves that Marvel has yet to make a second compelling villain to match Loki.
With all that being said, there is plenty, PLENTY, of things to enjoy in this film, and while it may prove not to have the timeless quality the first one has, it is still a damn good ride that I would gladly ride again, and so will you.