Adam Lark
Star Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Baby Groot, Yondu, Nebula… WELCOME BACK! Let’s take a look at what I deem as a different film from the first in ways you did not see coming. Is that a perilious way to start a review? Actually, yeah, I feel like a dick. But have no fear! Here is my review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
At the top of this review, I would like to echo a sentiment that I had read in another review in which reviewing each film as Vol. 1 being akin to Star Wars and Vol. 2 as Star Trek, respectively. I could not agree more. Both films surprisingly possess unique aspects that speak to this observation. Not to bring detail to Vol. 1 necessarily, as that description is apt, but to Vol. 2 in the way of comparing this film to Star Trek. The pacing, the other worlds, the expansion of the universe, the “red shirt” theory pertaining to Ravengers all apply in some form or another as the tip of the iceberg. Now, let’s get to it! I will list the pros and cons and yadda yadda. But first let me congratulate James Gunn on being the underdog director that simply is on a winning streak. So, let’s break it down.
The CONS:
– The jokes that fell flat. This was disappointing to say the least for such a solid film and its great execution with the action and characters. Now this is in comparison to Vol. 1 where I can count on one hand with a few fingers to spare any jokes falling flat. This film has more flat moments of humor. Although it does not take away from the overall quality of the film, it is certainly obvious that retreading certain jokes is a mistake that must be avoided in the future. Funny the first time does not validate the fourth time.
– The arguments. Certain scenes in the first movie had excellent times where the human side of the narrative speaks volumes. The fear, the uncertainty, the questioning of trust between characters in the first film seemed more of the same. Not to say that all the scenes in which the characters argued were necessarily bad, it just felt a bit too much of rehashing past conflicts. One of the central components of the Guardian’s franchise is indeed family. Families are notorious for having past wounds unresolved. Then again, this is a film that should have had more fun with it as opposed to a lot of “been there, done that” exposition. To futher explain my point, as this is just a weak part of scenes and not the entire film, the human side of me agrees with what is being shown. The film viewer side of me wants the boat to go away from the shore, away from its predecessor’s natural instincts as character bonding in nearly identical ways.
– The choice of music.The soundtrack did not give the film as strong of an identity as the first. Granted, Vol. 1 was a gleeful shock to the system of the MCU with its suave, retro and charming soundtrack, this film had more profound intentions pertaining to the story and did not really give that cool allure to the specialty that the first possessed. Many in the first film had an uproarious throwback track from earlier (Earth) decades, ones that made older viewers nostalgic and youngsters want to buy the soundtrack the day they first saw the movie. Vol. 2 had other intentions. Not bad intentions, just a bit too deep to relate to the subject matter and not for the sake of pop music fan service from the days of old. Granted, they had “My Sweet Lord” by the late great George Harrison during a masterfully visual scene. Younger generations would barely scratch the surface of knowing this unless they sought digging deeper into The Beatles phenomenon as the musicians’ individual works. Other than that, the soundtrack seemed (even to me, a huge music fan) as having tracks almost completely unrecognizable. We all had this friend in high school (including me because… it WAS me) that tried to show their friends the deep tracks, the “good shit” that no one has listened to and it was seen as an injustice that these tracks got no love. Guardians of the Galaxy, as a franchise, may not be the place for this. The scope is so large with the audience that it may seem a bit difficult for the viewer to wrap their head around the expectations set in the first Vol. of the Guardians’ mythos. Vol. 1’s soundtrack was very accessible, easily beloved. This time around, I am not sure if that same mentality of showing off deeper tracks would have the same heads rocking out in tandem to older, well-known pop hits as it would be to follow, say, “The Chain” by Fleettwood Mac as the most tangibly known hit besides “My Sweet Lord” as they are more down beat, and deeper songs. The services of upbeat tracks are as important as they are having as much fun as the scenes or subject matter should be having after Vol. 1 use more material on a brighter note.
Okay, so with that out of the way, let’s take a look at what made this a solid entry nonetheless.
The PROS:
– The characters were excellent to watch, even when the humor or dragging arguments were in motion. They gave so much to forgive the faults of the previous mistakes that it glides into a comfortable space of loving each character for their respectable reasons.
– The action. So cool! …. And creative! I don’t wish to spoil anything, but let me be clear: the word “epic” has been ruined by the internet, as we all know. I won’t use this word. I hate it now, Thanks internet. Anyways, it wasn’t that amazing but it was so clear in its intent to be diverse to all other Marvel Universe that I had to choose but to really enjoy the humor and complexity of the action sequences as the film did a damn fine job. There are even cameos from 2 iconic 80’s heroes in boldly creative and hilarious ways that will catch you off guard. I personally loved to see them both in this franchise.
– The beautiful visuals. James Gunn knocked it out of the park. This film spreads so much imagination and over the canvas that I must re-watch to catch everything. The details are extraordinary in the visuals alone, something I can rarely say about any comic book film.
– The expansion of the franchise. This… well, let’s call it a draw. As great as it was at giving certain characters a buffer and shine, they introduced newer elements for future installments with a surprisingly effective brevity. I usually have a problem with this, but Marvel is on a roll so these promises are as good as kept. HOWEVER, this did little to nothing in bridging Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 into Infinity War. Not that it had to, but let’s just say we have been begging for more bread crumbs since the first Avengers film.
– The jokes that worked. After giving my thoughts on the jokes that fell flat, the jokes that worked? Worked! However, a lot of these jokes felt like a return to form rather than an institution all its own. Many callbacks that are welcomed are featured here and the new ones worked as well to a fair amount.
– The Villains. Without spoiling too much, this film does possess multiple opponents aimed squarely at our new wholesome crew that we grew to love instantly. I actually may be in the minority on this one, however. I saw a lot of things coming from a mile away and sure, I was right. You will be, too. I normally hate that in a film. This time was actually really funny and tragic that I gave my dead-on predictions a rest. You know the old addage, non-verbatim: “Friends become enemies, enemies become friends” in so many films. This was true to that nature in a predictable yet really cool fashion that took its time no matter what you (or I) predict and delivers
So there it is, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. What worked about the first film with the action and characters for nearly all of it shined. I really liked this film! Looking back on this, you may ask “why did he enjoy it as much as he claims when he spent a lot of this review having issues with it?” Well, I will tell you this. When a sequel’s first film has certain je ne sais qoui that is undeniable, the next film should have its own brand and identity, that’s the filling of the pie. In saying that though, Guardians took so many leaps forward that was excellent to see and some that regressed the film that I personally did not think made it bad, it just hindered the packaged deal for both movies. As I stated in the Cons segment, some of those errors served as a connection to the first whislt refuting a large part of the identity to keep them relative and cohesive – the acclimatably groovy soundtrack. That also being said, this film had to many kick ass moments, astonishing visuals, acting for these characters top-notch as always along with aspects of the film that did not fall by the wayside. Rather, in a different direction that would have brought the sequel into the same stratum as the first film. Although there are parts of the film’s armor that I felt lacking, this is still a solid entry and I enjoyed so much of the good that the bad isn’t held against it entirely. This is indeed the Star Trek of either film between the two. New worlds, broken alliances, new alliances and uncertain futures, this was still a great Marvel epic. One worth breaking through the negatives to really enjoy as its own entity. A great time at the movies. If you are looking for something to shake up the MCU with the coolest nature of the soundtrack of the first film to hype the material, you will find it with a different palate that suits a Star Trek fan more than a Star Wars fan on the visuals and narratives, and more of listening to that high school friend that has a cooler yet unrelatable taste of music with its sound. A different yet forgivable take as opposed to the first films pop elements that had more fun than showing you the deeper stuff for contextual purposes and the director’s good (albeit) more somber and obsure taste. A really fun time nevertheless.
Lark Score: 8/10
