Susan Granger’s review of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (Marvel Studios/Buena Vista)
For this action-driven sequel, writer/director James Gunn cleverly revisits the irreverent comic book concept of maverick mercenaries that he created for the 2014 original.
In 1981 in Missouri, the prologue shows Peter Quill’s mom (Laura Haddock) and ‘spaceman’ dad (a very youthful Kurt Russell) driving in their 1979 Ford Cobra to a special place in the forest where he plants something bizarre.
Skip ahead 34 years, when the Guardians have bartered with the haughty High Priestess Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) to protect the golden-skinned Sovereigns’ valuable batteries from a ravenous beast in exchange for the return of their prisoner, Nebula (Karen Gillan), Glamora’s (Zoe Saldana) mean sister.
Problem is: impudent Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper) has stuffed batteries in his backpack, arousing Ayesha’s imperious ire. After an intergalactic chase, the Guardians’ spaceship Milano crashes on Berhert, where they’re greeted by a glowing, egg-shaped craft, containing Ego (Kurt Russell), who tells Quill (Chris Platt) – aka Star Lord – that he’s his long-lost father. Cue the origin story.
So they’re off to explore Ego’s private planet, meeting Empath Mantis (Pom Klementieff), who bonds with muscular Drax (WWE wrestler Dave Bautista). Meanwhile, on Contraxia, Quill’s foster father, blue-skinned Yondu (Michael Rooker), has been exiled by the Ravagers’ Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone), and there’s a mutiny led by Taserface (Chris Sullivan).
Although the fast-paced plot is convoluted, there are intergalactic battle sequences galore and lots of zany humor, including pop-culture references to “Cheers,” “Pac-Man” and “Mary Poppins.” The adorable antics of Baby Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) are scene-stealers, plus there are a couple of Stan Lee cameos, along with “Awesome Mixtape #2.”
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is an overstuffed 7, followed by – count ‘em – five additional scenes during the seemingly endless credits.
