Guardians of the Galaxy set a high bar (it’s my #2 MCU entry), so it would be easy to just make the same film again. And in many ways James Gunn has. But now that intros are out of the way, it’s time to dig in. Gunn clearly cares about these misfits a lot, and whilst he can’t concentrate on everyone, what we do get moves their arcs on nicely.
Set only a few months after the first film, things are fraught to say the least. Thrown together under an immensely stressful situation, they pulled it out of the bag and saved the galaxy. But like a holiday romance transitioning to real life, the cracks begin to show now that they’re living in each other’s pockets. The Milano might be really cool but it’s not very big.
These characters have all lost so much that trusting others doesn’t come easy. You can see they want to, which makes the addition of Mantis, and more Yondu, all the more important. Some different perspectives to tell them how stupid they’re being! They aren’t bickering for the sake of it, they’re all genuinely struggling and hurt in their own ways. We’re taken deeper into each character and given fresh views on what they’re dealing with. And it all feels completely true to what we’ve previously seen.
Ronan was a means to bring the team together and link them to the MCU. We didn’t need lots from him. But this time the main antagonist is deeply personal. Kurt Russell is great casting as Peter’s Dad Ego; the actors naturally have a similar vibe so you can see the link right away. Ego and the Sovereign, as good as they are, are ultimately effective vehicles for the realisation that these losers have gained a lot. They’ve gained family.
Probably a good thing that Diesel can just say “I am Groot” in that case!
Guardians remains pretty much unaffected by the broader MCU, doing it’s own thing. If anything it’s even less part of the Infinity Saga narrative than the first. I wish Marvel would remember this sometimes. It’s cool to see links, but they don’t always need to be so obvious, or constant.
I haven’t mentioned the action. It’s good! Who doesn’t love jetpacks and stabbing and spaceships? I might need to get a LEGO Milano. So cool.
The final thirty minutes or so is hard emotionally. Heroism and heartbreak, through to understanding. It’s not the classic “everything goes wrong” middle chapter of a trilogy, but there’s still a lot for the Guardians to deal with. It can be dark and heart-breaking. But it can also be uplifting and hilarious.
Guardians has a strong formula; I can see why Diesel is in it. Lost. Gained. Blood, or not. It’s all about family.
Plus the songs are cool. Couldn’t leave out mentioning the songs.
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