Director: James Gunn
Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell.
Run time: 136 mins
When the first Guardians of the Galaxy (GOTG) film hit theatres in 2014, Peter Quill aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) emerged as an unlikely superhero. As a less salty and profane version of fellow Marvel superhero Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), Star-Lord has been a huge hit with the kids and adults. In the first part, Star-Lord and his motley crew guarded the galaxy from Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace).
Now in part two, the audience is well acquainted with the heroes. Star-Lord is still trying in vain to hit on Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket (Bradley Cooper) continues to be a little furry curmudgeon rascal and Drax (Dave Bautista) maintains his strong but stupid ways. As a special treat, Groot (Vin Diesel) who almost altruistically died in the previous film returns as a baby version of himself. And this CGI generated tree-like humanoid is arguably the cutest character to ever be created. Expanding on the previous film’s focus on family, Volume 2 is certainly a lot more emotional. There’s marked attention paid to back-stories, character development and their relationships with each other.
The sequel features Star-Lord still yearning for blood family despite having the Guardian members by his side. And lo and behold his absent father makes an appearance in the form of Celestial god, Ego (Kurt Russel who receives fantastic VFX treatment to turn back the years). As the primary antagonist of the film, Ego has spent millions of years planting seeds (his own and other kinds) on different planets, which when activated become extensions of himself. Star-lord is the first of Ego’s progeny to have his Celestial gene. And Ego plans to basically take over the universe. Now the Guardians have to save the galaxy a second time. In keeping with Marvel’s track record, GOTG 2 certainly has its share outer space battles, fights and action with mind-blowing special effects.
But if there’s one thing that will remain with the audience long after the credits roll, it’s the characters. Writer and director James Gunn creates the coolest people to watch on the screen. He uses clever and effective ploys to resonate with fans. Take for instance, Rocket’s use of humour and insults as a defence mechanism for his own insecurities; or Gamora’s tumultuous relationship with her sister Nebula (Karen Gillian); and even Star-Lord’s clichéd realisation that often what we want is right in front of us. But prepare to get sucker-punched by the feels, as the kids say, every single time the camera turns to Baby Groot.
Like the first film, Volume 2 also relies on evoking a fair amount of nostalgia with a brilliant soundtrack. And this film features Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, Cat Steven’s Father and Son and so many great tunes. Then there are the cameos. Among the many, watch out for David Hasselhoff in what could possibly be the best role he could play: himself. Suffice to say, to miss watching GOTG 2 on the big screen would be huge mistake. You wouldn’t want to suffer from FOMO now, would you?
(The article first appeared in The Hindu CinemaPlus.)