Film review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
WARNING: The review may contain spoilers.
When I saw “Guardians of the Galaxy” released in Fairmont on its opening night, fans only left about every other seat empty. But despite most film critics’ opinions that the movie did not live up to its potential, I heard many say how they liked the sequel better when I milled out into the lobby with other moviegoers.
After some distance in forming my own thoughts about the sequel, I have to agree. The only thing that did bother me was the overuse of computer generated graphics. At different parts throughout the film it felt like Director James Gunn relied too heavily on them to evoke emotion, especially when characters were trapped amidst their intergalactic troubles.
But other than that, I enjoyed the movie down to the small moments when characters remained consistent to their adoring personalities. For instance, Rocket would become fired up when another character called him cute or mistake him for another animal that would blow his cover for acting tough.
Baby Groot also tugged at my heart strings with his awkward shortcomings whenever he misunderstands situations, like in a mission he and Rocket pursue together. Of course anyone also enjoys the little tree’s announcement of, “I am Groot!” especially when the plot calls for comedic relief.
Overall, the sequel plays on the theme of each character’s walls and what one does to keep them up, but the walls are broken down when Peter Quill meets his unknown but biological father Ego. It brings the whole team even closer in their varying relationships to each other. Quill still is interested in the green woman with fiery hair and agile superhuman body, Gamora, who resists his affections, but expresses her fear when the crew nearly loses him.
It is also revealed that Ego has motives darker than what is inferred, that he will kill anyone without hesitation who stands in his evolving journey to become a god. In fact, Quill lost someone close to him because of his father.
The turn of events is when Ego reveals darker motives, including universal dominion. As Ego begins to show Quill around the worlds that he designed, the plot also unfolds from the other characters’ points of view as they discover more about themselves when Ego threatens their existence.
They come to terms with how much is missing when there is a missing link in their group—Quill in this instance. Meanwhile, Yondu, who has been there for Quill since his childhood, sacrifices and risks more than the rest of the team because he cares about Quill so much. Even though they have been on adventures with each other since Quill’s mother died, they don’t realize how strong the bond they have is until it is almost too late.
The reason why the sequel is so powerful is because while it takes place in other worlds, it is truly down to earth in this reality. It could tug at the hearts of any who grew up without parents, absence of one or both or others who feel like their parents were not as empowering as they could be.
It creates a positive awareness to look for older mentors already in one’s life who grow and help them move forward. Sometimes one takes for granted the relationships they have in life but it is never too late to appreciate them.