First review: Bigger is not necessarily better for Marvel’s Guardians Of the Galaxy Vol. 2
REVIEW: Star Lord, Rocket and Baby Groot are back, but the Guardians Of the Galaxy Vol 2. sequel may not be what fans expect.
THE sci-fi adventure blockbuster Guardians Of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is definitely bigger in scope than its smash-hit predecessor.
However, with a production budget of over $250 million, this highly-anticipated sequel is also a little less brasher, and a lot more bloated than before.
Of course, it goes without saying that the original is a very tough act to follow.
Arriving as an unknown quantity from the backblocks of the Marvel Comics universe back in 2014, the first Guardians instalment was a billion-dollar sensation at the worldwide box-office.
While Vol. 2 is certain to do the same level of business — it opens in Australia tomorrow (Tuesday), 10 days in advance of the US and other major international markets — the element of surprise is no longer a weapon it can wield at will.
In its best moments, the movie is irresistible escapism of the highest order, a scrappy, wisecracking cousin to Star Wars circa 1977.
However, Vol. 2 can cruise on autopilot for a touch too long at times, especially when reiterating what everyone loved about the original.
This time around, the story is centred on unmasking the true parentage of Guardians spearhead, Peter “Star-Lord” Quill (Christopher Pratt).
The movie actually spills the beans on this mystery quite early. However, it doesn’t really matter once the Guardians get into the old-school banter and deep-space scrapes for which they are renowned.
Franchise regulars such as the alien Gamora (Zoe Saldana), intergalactic strongman Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket the raccoon (the voice of Bradley Cooper) remain appealing characters purely on the strength of how they embody the reckless rapport of the Guardians.
If you loved the legendary talking tree Groot in the first movie, you will be pleased to learn that the true star of Vol. 2 is Baby Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), a hyper-adorable little trunklet who is more than just a mascot for the Guardians team.
New recruits to the saga will take longer for viewers to warm to, whether they be villains (Australia’s Elizabeth Debicki as a gold-covered alien queen), heroes (Michael Rooker’s Yondu, no longer a bad guy), or a possible combo of both (Kurt Russell as Ego, the human embodiment of a dangerous planet from which the Guardians are seeking escape).
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 opens tomorrow (Tuesday) in general release.
Originally published as First review: Bigger is not necessarily better for Marvel’s Guardians Of the Galaxy Vol. 2