After running a few errands on a Saturday, we went to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 opening weekend. This is the latest MCU featuring this version of the Guardians. Once again directed by Peter Gunn, the film follows up with the self-styled Guardians on what they’ve been doing for the past six months. It seems they’ve continued on this “Heros for Hire” mercenary line of work, still living on the Milano, and the film begins with them working a job for the Sovereign. The film features a large cast, and at least two plot lines that diverge during the film, and merge at the end.
The film brings back:
- Chris Pratt (Peter Quill / Star-Lord)
- Zoe Saldana (Gamora)
- Dave Bautista (Drax)
- Bradley Cooper (Rocket Racoon, still funny as ever)
- Vin Diesel (Groot, in baby form)
- Michael Rooker (Yondu)
- Karen Gillan (Nebula)
The film adds Kurt Russell (Ego) and Pom Klementieff (Mantis), two other Marvel Comics characters.
Without revealing too much, the film is entertaining, but there is a long stretch in the middle which talks about emotions. In fact, the film talks about emotions a lot. Listen, a good action film should balance character development and action. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s imbalanced, but the film runs quite long (2 hours and 16 mins), so after you’ve watched 30 minutes of trailers, then sat for nearly 2.5 hours to watch the actual film, and then sat for 5 end-credits scenes…. wow, you could have trimmed some of that emotions stuff.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 (2017)