''I'm a fan y'all!''

Rating: 8/10 (17 May 2017)

Let me start by saying that I am no die-hard fan of either Marvel or DC Comics. Maybe that is also due to the fact that there's been an overkill of superhero flicks these last couple of years, but even then, most movie viewers have already chosen a side. I personally never knew if I preferred the light-headed and fun Marvel superhero movies or if I would rather go for the darker, grittier and more realistic DC movies. Then again, I have always done my best to like a DC movie, trying to convince myself that it was a good movie even when it was actually a disappointment (maybe because of my immense love for Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy, but ever since the quality has drastically dropped). And although I never speak too highly of the Marvel superheroes either, I almost always enjoy myself, each and every time. But oh boy, did I love Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2!
Volume 2 opens with one of the best CGI battles I have seen in any superhero movie, with the camera focusing on baby Groot, who dances on ELO's ''Mr. Blue Sky'', while the rest of the team fights against a kraken-like alien. From the beginning on it is clear that we are in for one groovy, swinging and fun movie, just like the first chapter. The movie doesn't take itself all too serious, but aims to be entertaining, which I believe is one of Marvel's major qualities anyway. But even the few flaws volume 1 had, they are mostly dealt with in volume 2.
While Chris Pratt's Starlord/Peter Quill was without doubt the big star in the first movie, every other main character gets almost as much screen time as Starlord this time. They all get their moment to shine in vol. 2. Saldana's Gamora has established herself as the leader and the brains of the group, while Bautista's Drax is a clumsy but most amusing character. Cooper's Rocket is also phenomenal and knows how to kick ass, while Diesel's Baby Groot Well, it doesn't seem like an all too difficult job for Diesel, who only has to say 3 words throughout the entire movie, but what is there not to love about Groot? In the eyes of many, Groot only became a ''baby'' to maximize the merchandise sales, but you don't hear me complain. He certainly is more fun than he was in volume 1, and I am looking forward to finding out what shape he will have in the next chapter. Every character also gets more depth, which is very rare in most superhero movies.
I can't say that I enjoyed every Marvel movie or character; when they killed off characters like Agent Coulson, Quicksilver and even at one given point Jackon's Nick Fury (even if it was only momentarily) I couldn't really care. Most of these characters were pretty shallow and their deaths or disappearances had few impact, if any at all. It's also pretty clear that some of the Avengers, like Iron Man and Captain America, are way more important than for instance Thor or Hawkeye. Guardians of the Galaxy 2 doesn't make this same mistake; they are a bunch of misfits that complete one another. Secondary characters, such as Gillian's Nebula or Rooker's Yondu, also play important and interesting roles, while in the first chapter they simply seemed like mere additions. Even newcomer Mantis, played by Klementieff, also plays an interesting part in volume 2, although I hope she can keep me entertained in the next movie, if she is still in it that is.
While the Fast and Furious franchise always pretends to be all about family, after 8 movies, I still haven't grown attached to them and I don't think I ever will. But after only 2 Guardians movies, I am rooting for each and every one of them, and if one of them would leave the group for any reason, I would certainly regret it and miss the character's unique presence. Gunn has planned it extremely well, developing every character in the best possible way because you start to care for them. Even Kurt Russel's portrayal as the mysterious bad-guy is one of the better ones in the MCU (then again, that's not very difficult, seen the other Marvel villains) Where Ronan was defeated in a pretty lame dancing contest in Guardians 1, here we witness a truly epic battle, at the same time bad-ass and funny. The aging technique they used on him early on in the movie is also remarkably well done, while in Rogue One the same effect was used on Princess Leia and Governor Tarkin, but here it felt quite artificial and looked fake from time to time. In Guardians 2, the CGI is remarkably well done, every single scene in the film is a feast to watch. The attention to detail is incredible (with many Easter-eggs!), and I cannot recall any scene which I didn't enjoy.
In my eyes it is certainly one of the best, maybe even the best Marvel movie I have seen. Entertaining, funny and even moving at some moments, I am looking forward to returning to this amazing universe. Just like Starlord, I don't need no living planet, just give me a Volume 3 which is as good as its predecessor and I'll be more than happy.