Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Spoilers ahead captain
The band of misfits are back together, and this time it’s maybe slightly better than the last.
Star-lord’s dad shows up in the form of Kurt Russell and the two reconnect. Turns out he’s a god (Ego) who can shape the universe at will, and Star-lord has inherited some of his powers. When Ego reveals he has grown tired of life and wants to take over the whole universe, Star-lord has to make some important choices between his friends and family.
Family is the central theme, and almost every character is presented with a difficult decision to make at some point about where their allegiances lie. It sounds like hackneyed old rubbish but it’s all the execution and James Gunn just about pulls it off.
No one is flawless, most of the characters aren’t even all that likeable, and this lends an air of credibility to the parts where they are faced with moral dilemmas. Unlike Captain America or Iron Man, you can’t quite be sure these people are going to take the high road. It’s unpredictable and therefore relatable.
Guardians of the Galaxy was a breath of fresh air with a sense of humour that wore thin after about an hour. Vol 2 is still funny, quirky and colourful but injects some much needed emotional weight to the franchise.