Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 review: sure to satisfy fans

THE epitome of cool, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy films sure know how to get the comic book nerds fist-pumping the air.

A nostalgic, retro soundtrack playing over some slow-mo action of galaxy creatures shooting lasers and the odd 1980s pop culture reference was the formula established in the first film and stuck to for dear life in the second.

But this spin-off franchise is not one to rest on its laurels as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 launches straight for your emotions.

Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) gets the Guardian gang Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) and Drax (Dave Bautista) into trouble when he steals from High Priestess Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), who hired them for a job.

While on the run from the golden Priestess, a god named Ego (Kurt Russel) finds them, claiming to be the long-lost father of half-human, half-alien Peter, uncovering all sorts of abandonment and father issues.

Meanwhile, a violent rivalry continues between Gamora and her bitter sister Nebula (Karen Gillan), who has been released into the Guardians’ custody.

Writer/director James Gunn has packaged more fun and laughs in the same style as the first outing with this disparate group of beings.

It is an easily digestible action film that is sure to satisfy fans.

With more talk of family than the Fast and the Furious films combined, Vol. 2 aims to take on some dramatic themes but in doing so ends up being hokey in moments.

However, the soggy groundwork is laid for an emotional ending, the details of which will not be revealed here.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 may not be remembered for originality, but it will be for being the first Marvel film to move me to goosebumps and almost shed a tear in its final, touching moments.THE ESSENTIALS

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (M)

Directed by: James Gunn

Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista

Three and a half stars

Review by: Julian Wright

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