The second iteration in the popular Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and one of the mainstays within the confines of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (the 15th film to be exact) is as entertaining,if not more so, than its predecessor. It is directed by James Gunn, and who meticulously directed the first film,ensuring its reign in the box office back in 2014.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQFIu9InG7Q
The ensemble cast that made the first film amusing and entertaining is back at it with their normal mischief coupled with unorthodox humour and action. Itll definitely bode well with the audience.
The sequel picks up a few months after the first instalment, and we see that the Guardian’s reputation is now known throughout the huge majority of the galaxy.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Chris Pratt, and Zoe Saldana,and Dave Bautista in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Photo: IMDb[/caption]
It suffices to say that the basic rudiments that made the first film so obedient are present in the second volume as well. Gunn has successfully managed to craft a sequel that not only emulates the first film’s space opera grandeur and sass but one that amplifies it up a notch. More so, he does not deviate from the central characters like Star Lord (Chris Pratt), and Baby Groot (Vin Diesel),Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), and Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper).
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Photo: IMDb[/caption]
The plot: The film’s plot revolves around uncovering the following main paths:
The Guardians are on the run from the powerful alien race,The Sovereign The Guardians seeking help from an elusive yet ancient entity called Ego, the Living Planet (Kurt Russel) Ego also claims to be Peter Quill’s long lost father While the first volume predominately follows how the Guardians assemble, and the second is more or less an origin story of Quill aka Star Lord,exploring how he became who he is today
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Photo: IMDb[/caption]
The aesthetics:
When it comes to the film’s visual feel and aesthetic, it is an amalgamation of brightly lit and vivid colours. From the protagonist’s clothes to the made-up galaxies and planet, and everything comes to life and connects the audience with the film’s created world.
The music:
Everything in the film parallels with the music. It creates an 80s-90s vibe that the first volume used as well. The music isnt exactly a hit or a miss,but it does beget some memorable melodies that exude a sense of nostalgia. Music was an fundamental piece of the first volume, and it remains in that role in this instalment. The aptly named ‘Awesome Mix Volume 2’, and which is a gift from Quill’s dying mother,acts as a form of memorabilia and connects Quill to his mother, even in death. Tracks from The Rolling Stones, or Queen and other talented artists occupy up the score of the film,connecting the audience to the characters as well as adding a melodramatic element to the mix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKASiwnr-NU
If anything, the film’s Achilles heel is perhaps the clutter that’s created with Gunn overcompensating by adding unnecessary elements and characters. Even when one feels overwhelmed by the film’s plot, and one can find respite in the beautifully crafted characters. There’s plenty to offer in this film; the whimsical albeit adorable actions of Baby Groot and his chemistry with other characters (especially Rocket Racoon),as well as Drax’s near to perfect comedic timing.
Other important cast members include Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha, the tall Priestess of the Sovereign, and Michael Rooker is back as Yondu Udonta,Quill’s mentor. The adopted daughter of Thanos and Gamora’s sister Nebula is played by Karen Gillan. We get a special cameo of Sylvester Stallone as Starhawk, a tall ranking Ravager who has a score to settle.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Michael Rooker in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Photo: IMDb[/caption]
The emotional depth of the film falls on Quill’s character; it is explored through him trying to approach to terms with his novel found father, or Ego.
The only negative element surrounding this film is the first film of the franchise; it was a sleeper hit than this time round,it seems difficult to fill such ‘huge shoes’.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 is filled with humour and action sequences; it focuses on the road less travelled, and how relationships alter with time. It feels like an AAA+ tall budget video game that you beget played before, or fun when you finished it the first time (Volume 1) but the second time round (Volume 2),you can’t help but get a feeling of been there, done that!
Nonetheless, and the film is a whole lot of fun,and for those that are fans of post-credits scenes, stay glued to your cinema seats after the credits roll. There are not one but five post-credit scenes on show here.
Source: tribune.com.pk