This Week's Movies - Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2

A year after saving the galaxy for the first time, everyone’s favourite bunch of interstellar idiotholes – including, of course, a sentient tree (now in baby form) and a talking raccoon with a penchant for heavy weaponry – now have to save it ALL OVER AGAIN, all to the tune of Star-lord’s (Chris Pratt) latest mix of ‘70s and ‘80s pop hits.

Also along for the ride: Kurt Russell (as Star-lord’s dad), Karen Gillan (back as Gamora’s sister, Nebula) and Pom Klementieff (as antennaed empath Mantis).

Pros:

1. Yes, it’s another Marvel film, but like the first GotG… it’s a bit different. A bit off-piste. Here’s a superhero movie that doesn’t feel like a superhero movie, a sci-fi that doesn’t feel like a traditional sci-fi. Like the original, it’s a big, brash, mad-as-a-box-of-overripe-bananas mix of the two, and it’s that loud, goofy tone that makes the series DIFFERENT and FUN. Did I mention Baby Groot? He’s a tiny talking tree that can only say three words ‘I am Groot’ (with a variety of different meanings) who is voiced by Vin Diesel. Says it all, really.

2. The music is good, if not as good as the first volume. Highlights include Cat Stevens’ Father And Son as well as Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, not forgetting Looking Glass’s Brandy – though don’t worry, there are plenty more retro radio surprises for you to look forward to besides.

3. Visually, it’s a real treat. This movie is like a firework going off in a pile of sherbet: a rainbow-coloured, neon-tinged, purposefully lurid bag of odd. Plus, there are a bunch of fun cameos to look out for, plus possibly the most in-jokes and Easter eggs in any Marvel movie. There are FIVE post-credit stings. FIVE.

Cons:

1. There’s an emphasis on character development over clear structure and plot, with certain actors paired up and allowed to breathe in a way that most ‘superhero movies’ wouldn’t dare, but this does leave it with a bit of a muddled middle, and no satisfying punch-the-air ending you might be hoping for.

2. There’s a sense of overconfidence that some might interpret as smugness – particularly if you’ve not seen the first film, something this sequel makes *no* allowances for – so if you’re dragging your not-in-the-know mate along, make sure they’ve seen the first one or regret it.

3. It is more of the same, for good or ill. Arriving in a fanfare of mainstream commercial appeal, the shock “Have-you-seen-this-crazy-film?” factor has gone, and the underdog goodwill you might have had has disappeared with it. The novelty is wearing off, basically, and if you’re not already a big fan, this may not make you one.

Three word review: I am Groot.