Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2

A marginal improvement over its lackluster predecessor, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 follows the first film’s ragtag band of space heroes (Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana’s Gamora, Dave Bautista’s Drax, Vin Diesel’s Baby Groot, and Bradley Cooper’s Rocket Raccoon) as their bond threatens to break after Star-Lord reunites with his long, lost father (Kurt Russell’s Ego). Filmmaker James Gunn does an absolutely smashing job of immediately drawing the viewer into the overlong proceedings, as Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 kicks off with a seriously entertaining opening credits sequence that seems like it’s going to be the highlight of the entire picture (and indeed this is ultimately the case). And although the various performers are as charismatic as one might’ve anticipated – Pratt is especially winning here – the movie, perhaps inevitably, segues into a meandering midsection that’s bursting with needless diversions and subplots (ie Gunn’s screenplay could’ve used some major streamlining). The vibe of pervasive wheel-spinning persists throughout and yet it’s clear that Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2’s narrative eventually does come together, with the film benefiting substantially from Russell’s typically strong turn as the mysterious figure who triggers the predictably larger-than-life third act. (It’s worth noting, however, that the movie’s final stretch, which is rife with over-the-top special effects and action, isn’t quite as intolerable as most other comic-book movies of this ilk.) It is, in the end, clear that Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 falls right in line with the many, many other movies contained in Marvel’s cinematic universe, as the positive impact of the film’s handful of stirring sequences is dulled considerably by an almost excessively flabby atmosphere (ie why are all of these movies well over two hours?)

**1/2 out of ****