This week we got to attend the red-carpet screening of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia. Since, like many other recent Marvel Studios projects, much of this movie was shot in and around Pinewood Studios in Fayetteville, GA, it made sense to have dignitaries of the local government and film communities catch a first glimpse of the final product alongside film crew and background extras. You can hear remarks and insights on upcoming projects from some of these people in the video below.
After some opening remarks from the dignitaries as well as a recorded message from director James Gunn thanking the state of Georgia for being good to the production teams, we get a bit of exposition and then jump into the film’s opening big scene showing the Guardians on their latest job. Peter Quill / AKA Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldanna), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper) and Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) are defending an energy platform from a giant space monster that likes to attack it. After an amusing sequence, they collect their payment from Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), high priestess of The Sovereign, and head off.
Thing are never easy for the Guardians though as they wind up crashing on a distant planet after a series of mishaps. There they meet the mysterious Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and her master, Ego (Kurt Russell) who claims to be Peter’s long-lost father. Meanwhile, on another outpost world, Yondu (Michael Rooker) finds himself thinking about his last encounter with the Guardians and learns from Ravager leader Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone) that Yondu’s group is still on the outs because he ‘broke the code’ in some way.
I found Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to be a great rollercoaster ride of emotion. There is so much information thrown at you in this screenplay in terms of story and character. It’s so much fun seeing these people on screen, developing in their crazy situations and relating to each other. Yes, they still have their same personality quirks as from the previous film, but they’re still growing into their own little family. Rocket is still mischievous even as he mostly looks after Groot now. Drax demonstrates… interesting viewpoints in trying to relate to the crew. Gamora tends to be the voice of reason here mostly, even as her sister Nebula (Karen Gillan) returns to come after her.
The story is most personal for Peter Quill though as you might imagine. Seeing him talk with Ego is a nice highlight, continuing James Gunn’s underlying theme of family growth throughout both films. Equally prevalent from Gunn is his interest in 80s pop culture which you get in the most unexpected ways here. Both themes are well-balanced and well-timed and the results are a lot of fun. When you add in the adventure element (as this is a cosmic Marvel movie after all) with the stakes becoming higher than anyone could have ever guessed, the result is also thrilling and very heartbreaking.
I ran through a lot of emotions while watching this film and after thinking it over, I liked it better than the first film. It’s a nice progression for these characters. The conclusion(s) in the entertaining closing credits give a good idea of where their story will go next. Since Thanos isn’t present here I don’t know how they’ll become involved with the Infinity War arc which has been developing in the other Marvel films, but there’s a strangely planted clue that may give an idea on this.
In closing, I have to say James Gunn has done wonders in crafting the cosmic reaches of the Marvel Universe with these films so far, both with the storytelling and excellent use of the ensemble’s talents. Everyone is a delight to watch, though my personal favorite is the unfiltered Drax this go around, and Baby Groot is the scene-stealer you’d expect him to be. Also, I have to say this is Stan Lee’s most perfect cameo yet, hopefully one that will be revisited, along with the other worlds we catch glimpses of. In any case, I enjoyed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and look forward to seeing Vol. 3 big time.
Grade: A