Guardians Of The Galaxy: Volume 2 Is A Groot Sequel...

The old and the new join the awesome mix

After both the critical and financial success of the original back in 2014, there was never any doubt that an inevitable sequel had a lot to live up to. Never mind that this is the fifteenth entry in the MCU, because the one of many things Guardians nailed was establishing its own identity in an otherwise generic-feel franchise. 

That said, I’m not taking away the overwhelming success of the MCU, but the once-obscure comic book series did well to set itself apart from its Marvel brothers, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Avengers movies and so on. It’s also fair to say that this wasn’t just achieved through its carefully-crafted script and cinematography, its more direct sense of humour, its infinitely-loveable, rag-tag characters and its gorgeous, neon-galactic aesthetics, but through its universally-adored and beautifully hand-picked soundtrack, which arguably makes the film what it is. And when the sequel’s aptly-named subtitle Volume 2 was announced, it seemed that the successor’s soundtrack would also have just as much to live up to.

It won’t surprise you to learn that the soundtrack isn’t quite on par with Volume 1. Nevertheless, it’s still brilliant, and might be one that warrants a download from iTunes to see if it’s one of those ones that grows on you. As for the film itself, it’s fair to say that very few sequels have flawlessly surpassed the brilliance of their predecessors, with only the likes of 1986’s Aliens and 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgement Day springing to mind. Let’s start by saying Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 is no such sequel. But let it also be said it’s billions of lightyears away from the stinkers that are Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3 and Avengers: Age of Ultron.

The film picks up not so long after where its predecessor left us: following the death of fanatical Kree-tyrant Ronin, the gang had established themselves as the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’; the new Groot had just sprouted; Peter Quill aka Star Lord (Chris Pratt) unwrapped the last gift from his late mother, Awesome Mix Volume 2, and had learned that his father was not of Earthly-origins. Now, the gang continue to protect the galaxy – in the most dysfunctional ways possible of course, (Baby) Groot (still Vin Diesel) is a painfully, ridiculously-adorable infant, Volume 2 is already on play, and Peter finally learns who his father is, when a typically-brilliant Kurt Russell turns up, announcing himself as the charismatic yet ambiguous ‘Ego the Living Planet.’ Meanwhile, a new enemy is hot on their trail while old friends-or-foes Yondu (played once again by the razor-sharp Michael Rooker) and Nebula (Karen Gillan) return to the fold, joined by newcomer Mantis (Pom Klementieff).

Dear World, please make Baby Groot exist

Volume 2 doesn’t fail to deliver on the gags, with the likes of Drax (Dave Bautista) and Groot more hilarious than ever, but this time the drama extends beyond Peter Quill, with Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Nebula’s story exploring some pretty dark sibling rivalry, while Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Yondu realise they’re the true outcasts of the bunch. Then of course there’s Peter’s new relationship with Ego, and while this plot is designed to serve as the film’s engine, the heart is felt mostly through its other characters. That said, this film offers more heart than the first, and despite its deliberately-outlandish style, when it hits, it does so like Yondu’s sentient arrow through the heart.

There’s also some truly mind-bending special effects (notably the third time the MCU has done this) and some solid character building. All in all, with the exception of yet another nostalgic shudder-inducing cameo (you know who I’m talking about), and perhaps Mantis as of yet bringing very little to the mix, the film is a laugh-out-loud, galactic joyride which, even after an overdose of secret endings, will leave you wanting more. And that’s exactly what we’re promised: that the Guardians will return…

Kurt the King of Cult is Ego the Living Planet

Unfortunately, despite the sub-franchise’s continued efforts to maintain both a literal and figurative and healthy distance from the main MCU thread – the very reason, I think, behind its popularity and distinction within the franchise - they will first appear in next year’s Avengers 3: Infinity Wars before the certainly-titled Volume 3 is ever given a release date. But then that might not be a bad thing, because for all the ensembles of colours within the Avengers team, somehow those lot can do with an injection of soul, humour and personality.

Volume 2 might lack the razor-sharpness of the original – as most sequels tend to - but is a worthy sequel nonetheless, and news that director James Gunn is now signed for the third entry can be nothing but a damn good thing.

Verdict? They are Groot.   

Oh, go on then. Just once more. Why not