Instead of having the movie titled as 'GOTG Volume 2', I strongly believe Marvel Studios should have gone ahead with the title being 'Peter having some daddy issues'
Remember the first time you saw them on screen? You must've wondered, what is Marvel doing with C Grade Comicbook characters? A talking racoon and a tree who's vocabulary is limited to three words? What can Marvel and James Gunn possibly do with them? Well that movie went on to be one of Marvel's most successful ventures at the box office, even rating wise. Ever since, fans have been waiting for the second installment.
Director - James Gunn
Cast - Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Kurt Russell, Elizabeth Debicki, Pom Klementieff, Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker, Sylvester Stallone
Rating - 4/5
There's this truism which is noticeable that the sequels of superhero/comicbook movies aren't as great as their first parts are. Be it Iron Man, Thor, or even The Avengers – none of the follow-ups managed to capture their predecessor’s magic. It was always going to be a tall order to replicate the success of the first movie. Marvel Studios has completely eradicated this notion now, first with Captain America : The Winter Soldier and now with GOTG Vol. 2, which is definitely as good as the first part, if not better.
First thought that came to my mind when I finished wiping away my tears after the last scene (before post credit scenes, this film has not one, not two but FIVE post credit scenes) was - It's Beautiful..
This movie is different, very different from the first part at least in the way it matters. This movie is more funny and it makes you more emotional than you think you'd be.
The only disappointing thing that I found in this movie is that we all were expecting this to be a setup to upcoming films – ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Thor: Ragnarok’, but keeping the proceedings self-contained to this ragtag bunch of anti-heroes is hardly a detrimental factor. The movie doesn't show Thanos nor talks about Infinity stones. In fact, it allows for a more personal look at each of these previously obscure characters, and delves into their individual psyches which was important. Since we’re relatively familiar with some of their idiosyncrasies, Gunn allows them to run wild to humorous effect, while revealing crucial aspects of their respective backstories. Be it Gamora-Nebula's childhood arc or Rocket hiding love for the group or Drax's sadness, Gunn explores every arc, even the 'unspoken words' and the chemistry which is noticeably visible between Peter and Gamora since the first part. He also extracts strong performances from a diverse bunch of actors, and all of them bring their A-game to the table as their prominent chemistry with each other is on full display.
Perhaps, this is the most visually inventive Marvel has ever been, despite the psychedelia of Doctor Strange. It's a visual treat for the fans. The soundtrack has bigger, more familiar hits; Groot is, in his new avatar as Baby Groot, an even greater scene-stealer than he was before; and this time, the villain does not succumb to Chris Pratt’s dance moves – but this is all just a means for Gunn to explore the heart of his story: Family.
Vol. 2 also manages to surpass another nagging issue troubling the Marvel films by setting up a villain with ample depth just like Captain America : Civil War; enough to keep us emotionally invested and breaking the chain of weaker antagonists seen before. There is, of course, one new prominent member to the Guardians this time around and he’s the one that causes all the drama and makes it all worth it. As Ego, Kurt Russell plays the role of Living Planet/Father of Star-Lord perfectly. The first film, you’ll remember, focused a lot on Quill not knowing who his father was and simultaneously finding a new family in his fellow Guardians. Kurt Russel is the real MVP of the film.
Mantis is really beautiful.. from the inside as Drax rightly phrases it. Also, new to the galaxy is Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), the leader of a superior-acting gold-skinned group known as the Sovereigns, who are out to get the Guardians for stealing some of their highly-valuable batteries. It’s her quest for retribution that ultimately brings back fan-favorite Yondu (Michael Rooker), whom she sends after the Guardians and who loses favor with his fellow Ravagers for seemingly going soft on Star-Lord, and leads to the movie’s final showdown. (Speaking of which, see this movie in 3-D, if you can, it’s really quite beautiful.) Ayesha will, no doubt, play a role in the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe, so keep an eye on what she does.
Micheal Rooker as Yondu has always been pleasing to watch, more so in this one as he opens up about himself to Rocket and Peter at the end. This movie also throws light on Yondu and Peter's father-son relationship as well. The first film focused on bringing the group together, while this sequel makes audiences understand why the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ are such a big deal on a cosmic level and brings them closer. The repercussions of their actions here will be felt on a much grander scale, setting up probably the Infinity Wars and Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the process. Needless to say, it’s an absolutely essential and thoroughly enjoyable spectacle to watch. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is definitely awaited with all the new characters that we see at the end, especially Sylvester Stallone as StarHawk. But before that, let's watch them fight Thanos alongside Avengers.
All FIVE Post Credit Scenes Explained (Contains SPOILERS, you have been warned)
1. Kraglin practices with Yondu's arrow : Yondu wasn’t just a father figure to Star-Lord, he was also one to Kraglin, his loyal crew member. And in one of Guardians 2’s last scenes, Star-Lord gives him Yondu’s arrow. We see Kraglin trying to master Yondu’s arrow of death. He’s not very good at operating the weapon, and has trouble wrangling control of it. Finally, just when you think he’s getting the hang of the thing, he gets it to fly … straight into Drax’s neck, leaving the Destroyer screaming in pain.
2. Stakar (Slyvester Stallone) re-unites his own Guardians of the Galaxy : Stakar Ogord tells his fellow Ravagers that Yondu’s death taught him life is too short to hold onto grudges and baggage, and that they should put differences aside and reunite for old times’ sake. Ravagers include HELA as well who's the villain of Thor 3 : Ragnarok. The set of Ravagers he’s talking to only makes sense if you’re familiar with the 1975 Guardians of the Galaxy Team from the comic books.
3. Marvel finally hints ADAM WARLOCK : In the movie’s third credits scene, Ayesha tells one of her handmaidens that she’s figured out a way to make a more perfect being than herself. She calls him “Adam,” as the camera pans over to one of the Sovereign’s birthing pods. Adam Warlock is one of the strongest characters in the space and has helped Avengers and Guardians fight against Thanos, he has had possession of Soul Stone on numerous occasions, Sadly, James Gunn has confirmed that Adam Warlock will not be a part of Infinity War and will be only in GOTG3.
4. Baby Groot to Teenager Groot : In the end scene, when Peter plays 'Father and son' on his new found 'Zune', there's a symbolic meaning to it as Baby Groot rests on his shoulder. He misses Yondu as a father and also realizes that he's a father figure to Groot and realizes his responsibility. In Guardians 2’s fourth credits scene, we see Star-Lord trying to discipline an adolescent Groot who utters the character’s “I am Groot” catchphrase in the tone of a snarly, annoyed teen. Star-Lord is mad at Groot for making a mess, but Groot is busy playing video games and ignores him. So, Groot will be in his teenage form in Infinity War.
5. Stanlee's Cameo : Guardians 2’s final credits scene features comic book legend and former Marvel president Stan Lee in an astronaut outfit talking to a bunch of weird-looking bald-headed dudes with capes (The Watchers, Marvel and Fox share the custody of The Watchers) — it actually builds off his cameo in the film (which takes place during Rocket and Yondu’s jump to Ego). He’s regaling them with stories, but they start to walk away. He yells that they were his ride home — wherever that may be — and tells them he has more stories to tell before the scene fades to black. The message of the scene is clear: The grandfather of Marvel comics still has stories to tell despite his time running out. (he's currently 94)
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