Known for its colourful cast of characters and wild settings, can Guardians of the Galaxy once again find the right side of the artistic line between garish and iridescent?
The scene is set; soundtracked by Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky”, featuring death-defying feats and a stunning dance sequence. Feeling a bit like a bizarre rock opera, the scene lends a unique flavour to the proceedings, wrapping each moment into an unforgettable parcel of memories. This grand opening is not just for cheap thrills, as it serves to introduce the nation of the Sovereign and their impetuous leader Ayesha, as they return the captured Nebula, the sister of Gamora, to our heroes as payment for services rendered. These familial ties hint at some deep plot points and the emotional roller coaster of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 begins.
Building on the already strong characters, the actors go from strength to strength. Dave Bautista brings raw uncomplicated comedy to his portrayal of Drax time after time, which offsets the moments of quiet darkness clouding the character’s memories. Peter Quill aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) and Gamora (Zoe Saldana) share some of the most satisfying romantic sci-fi tensions since 3rd Rock from the Sun‘s Mary and Dick Soloman. Vin Diesel’s Baby Groot is…well, he’s Groot, just smaller, condensed into pint sized anger, pathos and adorableness. Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) finds a way to open up the rusted pathway to his heart, while also playing exceptionally well off of Drax, with some long running inside jokes. Yondu lifts the veil on his surprisingly deep and complicated past, something that brings great emotion to the film’s conclusion. Nebula, while a staple in the first film, somehow seems like an accessory this time around. While key to part of Gamora’s emotional development and part of a well-written narrative, her character doesn’t feel totally natural.
Special effects and CGI are a huge part of the Marvel cinematic universe. It’s something you can depend upon and expect to be at the highest standard, and Guardians Vol.2 does not disappoint. Featuring a record-breaking pixel count in certain scenes, Guardians is not content in just meeting expectations, but aspires to set the bar to dizzying new heights. The bright and intensely detailed worlds and planetscapes echo the original comic books, with director James Gunn continuing to use stills or slow motion shots to create visual moments that could well be a full-page splash or striking cover page in their own right. These subtle homages serve to highlight why Guardians stands out; it’s not just because it can flick through your emotions like an Argos catalogue, but because it believes in itself and its heritage, showing even those who might have never picked up a comic book why it can be such a special experience. This is something very few films can attest to and it is a credit to every member of its creative production that brings this vision to life.
While this film and its characters could revive this format over and over again (which I personally hope they do), the key to its success is having something about the characters we want to know. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 gives us a much needed in-depth look into the rag-tag cast of characters, and if we are to see any less in the future, it will be a crime.
Author: Joe, Bath store
