‘Galaxy: Vol. 2’ out-of this-world entertaining
May 12, 2017
“Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol.2” graced the world with its presence on the big screen May 5, allowing fans all over the globe to revisit the characters they love and delve into a new story.
Most of the film is centered around Ego, the infamous living planet, on which the creator of said planet, also known as Ego, lives. Ego is the father of Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), who finds Quill stranded on a mysterious planet. Ego takes his son to the living planet in order for Quill to “harness” its power. Daddy issues ensue.
Ego is played by Kurt Russell, who has made his mark in cult films such as “Death Proof” and “Big Trouble in Little China.” Seeing Russell — an established movie star who exemplifies on-screen charisma — is awesome and seeing him in a Marvel movie is even better.
James Gunn, who wrote and directed the last film, has created another entertaining blockbuster. His screenplay alone makes for an excellent film, free of plot holes unlike many recent superhero endeavors (ahem, “X-Men: Apocalypse”). Gunn also allows the tension to build — just when everything seems uncharacteristically calm, and the audience begins to wonder if there will be a villain at all — Ego makes his triumphant, moustache-twirling appearance.
Just like the last movie, the sequel is packed with jokes and running gags. One thing that makes the “Galaxy” franchise not only smart, but appealing is the way its able to keep things serious but still add a little fun to the mix. Gunn has figured out a way to ensure his audience feels the emotion of the father/son dynamic without making the whole enterprise a gloomy affair.
And of course, you can’t have “Guardians of the Galaxy” without some awesome ’80s music. The new movie includes songs such as Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr.Blue Sky” and Looking Glass’ “Brandy (You’re a FIne Girl).” The addition of different music allows people of all generations to fall in love with music they most likely don’t hear on a daily basis. — especially millennials, who get to listen to something other than 21st-century screamy emo music.
So far the movie has made $145 million domestically and $282.6 million internationally, and that’s just in its opening weekend. Unlike a lot of recent films — such as Amy Schumer’s “Snatched” — “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2” deserves to be successful and receive a third installment.
