NEW ON THE BIG SCREEN/ GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2
SCI-FI ACTION. With CHRIS PRATT and ZOE SALDANA. Director: JAMES GUNN. 10-12PG LV. In SA cinemas now. The first Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014) was a delightfully quirky surprise – an exuberant, madcap space adventure with lots of humour and heart, which made it stand out from the many other deadly serious and gritty superhero blockbusters. But could lightning strike twice? Happily for fans, the answer is a resounding yes. Gunn has done it again, crafting an exhilarating, visually dazzling thrill ride that doesn’t skimp on character, comedy or emotion.
After coming together to form a team, the Guardians Of The Galaxy – Peter Quill (Pratt), Gamora (Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Baby Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) – are running for their lives after Rocket stole batteries from an alien race called the Sovereign, who’d hired the Guardians as guards. They’re rescued by a powerful alien called Ego (Kurt Russell), who turns out to be Peter’s long-lost father and who invites them back to the planet he’s created.
Meanwhile Gamora’s vengeful sister, Nebula (Karen Gillan), and Peter’s old captain, Yondu (Michael Rooker), are also on their trail.
Now that the origin story is out of the way there’s more time to flesh out the appealing characters, and Nebula and Yondu especially get much more to do. Gunn piles on the spectacle and the action, which can become a bit exhausting, but there’s always time for a lovely character moment and a hilarious quip. And Baby Groot is sure to steal your heart. – SANDRA VISSER