Star Lords Episode 2: The Daddy issue strikes back

Rating: 7/10 (11 May 2017)

Three years ago James Gunn proved to the world a number of things; 1) You can make a great superhero movie based off heroes that aren't already household names, 2) The 1980's had a lot of awesome songs that you didn't know where awesome back then, 3) you can get a good acting performance from a wrestler who isn't the Rock. And finally, 4) you can turn the funny fat guy from Parks and Recreation into a freaking sex symbol. It's fair to say Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has quite a tough act to follow... Fortunately, Gunn follows up his space epic as best he realistically could, with a film that feels even more 80's than its predecessor.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 is a fun, escapist action movie that is very reminiscent of the action films of the 1980's. In fact, I view this film as James Gunn's attempt at making a light hearted, super cheesy and clichéd 80's action blockbuster, in an age where all blockbusters are dark and super serious. Hell Sly Stallone and Kurt Russell are in this film, how much more 80's action can you get? I commend Gunn for attempting to expand what the soundtrack of his last film achieved, and for giving the audience some good quality, escapist fun.
Of course, this film looks beautiful. The visual effects, costume, makeup, production design and everyone else who helped bring this galaxy to life really outdoes themselves. I honestly found myself suspending utter disbelief, thanks in large part to the realistic detail put into everything on screen. I also praise James Gunn again for making a very stylistic film that although is far from original, still manages to somehow feel fresh.
But what about the team we have all come to love I hear you cry? They are all back, yes even Vin Diesel, and they haven't changed a bit. Chris Pratt plays the very Chris Pratt like Star Lord, who is just as Chris Pratt like as ever. Zoe Saldana is still your least favourite and Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel return also to voice act Rocket and Groot, as previously confirmed, yes, Vin Diesel is credited for this. Personally, my favourite actor and Guardian in this film has to be Dave Bautista as Drax. Bautista nails the character and every line he is given like a goddamn Batista Bomb. He is absolutely hilarious in this film, and thankfully saves James Gunn's rather unfunny script with his excellent comedic delivery.
Speaking of Gunn's script, lets get into some of the issues shall we? This film is filled with a lot of one liners and jokes, which is fine if they are either; A) funny and frequent or B) Unfunny and infrequent. The jokes in Vol.2 are unfortunately unfunny and far too frequent, I've heard people refer to this film as more of a comedy with action than an action film with comedy, to which personally I believe this should be the latter. Gunn really needed to hold back with the jokes in this film, I understand why they're there as I read this as an 80's action film made in 2017, but lots of these jokes feel really forced to the point where it's almost like Gunn is exclaiming "laugh god damn you!" The film is also very predictable, this isn't the issue for me as again it fits with the 80's aesthetic. My problem is with the different plots going on at once and how they remain, for the most part, disjointed for the majority of the films run time. It makes this film drag on a little bit longer than you would wish. Also the fact that Pratt, Saldana and Bautista don't really do anything for 80% of the film, and more or less wait around on Planet Dad for the finale to happen. This was annoying if you ask me. I almost wanted to poke them with a stick and say "shoot something."
All in all, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 is the best possible follow up Gunn could have crafted, in my opinion. The film is visually stunning but the script could have done a bit more with its story and a little less with its attempts at humour, just cut to Drax or Groot and laughter is guaranteed. This film is far from original but finds other ways of staying fresh and fun. The Guardians trilogy looks to compete for the best MCU trilogy yet. Will Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 be as good, if not better than the first two, and surpass Captain America as the best MCU trilogy? Tune in next time as the Guardians of the Galaxy will return.