a so-so sequel for Marvel's nerdy outsiders

Rating: 7/10 (3 May 2017)

The USP of the Guardians films remains the deft writing by James Gunn. If the Avengers film scripts are the charismatic Alpha frat heroes, Guardians of the Galaxy represents the wisecracking nerdy outsiders. Which, let's face it, is always going to play well with a comic-book- movie audience. The space pirate steampunk aesthetic gives the movie a distinctively battered and cranky appeal. The story, which sees Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) unravel the question of his true parentage, goes heavy on themes of family and redemption. Still, in the generic, effects- heavy blitzkrieg of a final act, the film loses both the human(ish) connection and the scrappy maverick spirit that sets it apart from its Marvel stablemates.