Good but no magic

Rating: 6/10 (4 May 2017)

After having watched the first GotG a gazillion times I was SO looking forward to the sequel. It was definitely entertaining but fell short of the first one. You can tell they really were trying and tugging desperately at the viewers' heartstrings, but they were unable to capture the magic of the first one.
First, the music fell far short. I remember every single song in the first movie from my childhood, and they were all hits. This movie, I didn't recognize half of them and half of the rest were not big hits. Also, the timing and pacing of the music didn't work, pulled me out of the movie instead of tapping my foot and smiling like the first movie.
Second, (possible spoiler alert), in one scene there is a close-up of Gamora and her green skin makeup clearly looks unfinished. Terrible job and again, takes you out of the movie.
Third, too many scenes don't work (SPOILER ALERT). Nebula practically kills herself trying to kill Gamora, and minutes later the sisters practically forgive each other. I know the movie's theme was family, but it just felt so forced.
(SPOILER ALERT) I did like the young Kirk Douglas in the beginning of the movie, that was amazing.
I won't be watching this one a gazillion times. Maybe just once more. It just didn't have the magic of the first one. Oh, but Groot was ADORABLE.