The opening scene of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 sets the tone perfectly. Baby Groot dances around being adorable while Gamora and Star-Lord banter, Drax and Rocket throw out jokes, and the team battles a giant interdimensional squid. It’s a reminder of why audiences loved this crew in the first place. Unfortunately, after this thrilling start, the Guardians split up — and that’s where Vol. 2 stumbles.
After stealing rare batteries from the Sovereigns, the Guardians are nearly destroyed before being rescued by Ego (Kurt Russell), who reveals himself as Peter Quill’s father. He invites Peter, Gamora, Drax, and his assistant Mantis to his planet. Meanwhile, Rocket, Groot, and Nebula remain behind, only to cross paths with Yondu and the Ravagers. The film then divides its focus between these two storylines, with one far more compelling than the other.
On Ego’s planet, the visuals are impressive but uninspired, and the story surrounding Peter’s heritage quickly loses steam. Ego’s true intentions eventually come to light, but the revelations aren’t as interesting as they should be. On the other hand, the storyline with Yondu (Michael Rooker) is full of heart and depth. Rooker steals the movie, delivering standout moments with nearly every character and giving Yondu a powerful emotional arc.
Nebula and Gamora’s fractured sisterhood also shines, adding weight to their shared trauma under Thanos. Karen Gillan delivers her best work yet as Nebula, while Zoe Saldana continues to ground Gamora as both warrior and reluctant romantic lead. The ongoing will-they-won’t-they dynamic with Peter Quill feels slightly forced, but their chemistry is still engaging.
Despite the weaker central story, James Gunn keeps the humor sharp. Baby Groot misunderstanding commands, Drax’s booming laughter, and Mantis’s innocent honesty create laugh-out-loud moments. Dave Bautista, in particular, perfects Drax’s comedic timing here. While the final act devolves into a CGI-heavy boss battle — lacking the emotional resonance of the first film’s climax — the journey there is still fun thanks to the characters’ banter and charisma.
Visually, the film looks incredible. Shot on the new Weapon 8K, paired with Henry Braham’s cinematography and Gunn’s colorful style, Vol. 2 stands out from other Marvel movies, embracing bold, vibrant palettes instead of the MCU’s usual uniform look.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 doesn’t quite capture the magic of the original, but it remains an entertaining ride with humor, heart, and Baby Groot stealing every scene. It’s a fun sequel, even if its story feels uneven.
Rating: 7/10
