I Can't Stop This Feeling Deep Inside of Me. Guardians, You Just Don't Realize What You Do To Me

Rating: 7/10 (10 May 2017)

GuardiansVol. 2 will definitely please fans of the first film (i.e. basically everyone) in the irreverent space-saga. Sure, it's bigger spectacled and deeper themed, but its real strength lies in its smaller moments of character and humor. In fact, when the words being spoken aren't jokes, corny exposition and telegraphed subtext sneak to the surface ("Sometimes we don't realize what we need is right there all along."). Thankfully, director Gunn deftly redeems each less-than-stellar story moment with cheeky jokes and surprising humanity. If the first was New Hope, then Vol. 2 is Empire, as we find Starlord (Pratt) dealing with his own daddy issues (Russell), as the universe at large is fighting a bigger (though possibly related) battle. The action scenes have cinematic flair and dramatic heft, but the charm is still 100% dependent upon its tongue being so firmly placed in its cheek in subversive and unexpected ways. The music is a smile-inducing mix of 70s and 80s power pop, Rocket is still drolly hot-headed, Drax is still hilariously literal, Baby Groot is adorably violent, and new addition Mantis fits in snugly. So why isn't this consider among Marvel's best for me? Well, as a longtime Marvel Studios zombie, I hate to admit it, but these MCU outings are finally starting to feel a bit same-y. Lots of parental problems, brightly colored CGI, a standard build in impressive action scenes to a final with the Big Boss, all punctured with good-natured humor. Luckily, the formula is a good one, and with Guardians, what it lacks in dramatic intrigue, it makes up for with irreverence for its own seriousness, helping it stand out from the larger superhero pack.