Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

It really needs something more than the solid chemistry of the main gang, Zoe Saldana, Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone’s cameo. After half an hour of camera flourishes and digital effects I already had a headache. (2017-08-12)

I had fun, but I can't say that I would rush to the cinema a second time. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 plays it safe, and unfortunately so much so that it's a little disappointing at times. What does that mean? More of the things that worked last time: more dancing Groot, more dumb Drax, more Peter Quill slapstick, and even weirder aliens. All mixed with spectacular action, humour and an 80s feel. This is what fans want and expect, and James Gunn gave it to them. But unfortunately, in his quest to "cram in more of the stuff we liked last time", he forgets a little bit about the story and, most importantly, that he should have shown some new stuff too. It's as if there was someone in the studio walking around with a stick and slapping everyone who wanted to come up with something new or try to do something different. The second Guardians of the Galaxy is exactly what it should be, but unfortunately it doesn't try to step outside of its own shadow in the slightest, which is a bit of a shame. Two days after the screening, the film practically disappeared from my mind. (2017-05-04)

“You're like Mary Poppins.” Especially during the middle part, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is more soap opera than space opera, but after the first film, which ended with the founding of the “family”, the shift to family values seems to me like a logical development. In fact, the filmmakers laid the groundwork for the emotionally powerful climax and, sooner or later, most of the motifs that seemingly hold back the narrative are meaningfully brought into play (we know in advance, for example, that little Groot really should not be entrusted with important tasks). At the same time, the narrative of disgruntled parents (both real and surrogate) and unhappy children is in line with the nostalgic tone of the film, which seeks (and finds) its true quality through songs and pop-culture references to the past (just like numerous contemporary Hollywood films enchanted by the 1980s aesthetic). The modern and egotistical treatment à la Minecraft (create your own world) doesn’t work. The search for a place where you will feel good (in the end, of course, it turns out that it’s not the place that matters, but the people) forms the main storyline of the outwardly episodic and, compared to the first instalment (where everything was held together by a single MacGuffin), rather tight narrative. For example, the organisation of the plot through the use of songs from Peter’s cassette tape, or the possibility/impossibility of listening to them, works better. Of course, the film is most entertaining when it doesn’t take itself seriously and makes its disdain for the conventions of superhero mega-films ostentatiously clear to us (the opening action sequence, when we don’t actually see the action, is the funniest one in the whole film). Gunn again tries out ways to approach a massive action scene without it being confusing. He had a somewhat bigger budget to accomplish that, so he could have dispensed with even more (several scenes overtly reference old video games – Space Invaders, Galaga, Pac-Man – and there’s a space variation on the famous air-raid scene from North by Northwest, and a cameo from David Hasselhoff and an allusion to Mary Poppins are incorporated into the epic action climax). Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a high-octane summer blockbuster that, thanks to its action sequences, soundtrack and inimitable heroes, retains enough personality to make it stand out among the many, many other comic-book movies and make you forgive it for its greater predictability and occasional loss of pace. 80% (2017-05-06)

The sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy is more or less in the same vein as the first one, but it doesn't bring much new. It's decent fun no doubt. Drax and the raccoon are the funniest again, Starlord is a bit bland and didn't seem to have enough space, I didn't like Kurt Russell much and Stallone is only here for maybe two minutes, so there's not much to look forward to. The film is a bit too colourful and quite infantile in places for my taste, and the big finale is actually the weakest part, as it is nothing but a massive digital mess that you can't really absorb and you don’t really care how it ends. The highlight for me was the scene in the forest where the raccoon disarms his opponents with ingenious traps. I probably won't watch it again and would classify it as one of the more mediocre Marvel films. I suspect DC will kick Marvel's ass this year with Wonder Woman. 75% (2017-05-04)

Marvel has secured its standard at the turning point between the second and third phases of its immense universe. The solo films have their own power, humor, and clear goal, while the team movies aim higher with their ambitions and allow the heroes to deal with a more general problem that troubles all of society. And then there are the Guardians of the Galaxy, who break everything and triumph with their detachment from the rest of the events. I don't know how James Gunn does it, but whatever the fans want, he seems to be able to satisfy everyone. Teamwork, squabbling among the Guardians, strong individual stories, a unique enemy, switching sides, the development of familiar supporting characters, touching catharsis, and in the background, once again, an original and unmistakable song soundtrack perfectly supporting jokes like those of a rather stagnant teenager. I consider the change in mood during the final battle a surprisingly great risk, since in the first movie, even at the most dramatic moments, there were quips and all kinds of silliness, while now the atmosphere freezes for a decent period of time at the critical point. This is where the series matures to some extent and next time will have to come up with something new. However, one specific post-credits sequence suggests that this will not be a problem. Many thanks for this fireworks display of ideas that never ceases for a minute. (2017-05-14)