Chronicles of a Procrastinating Novelist Volume 5: Movie Review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Remember the whole “Procrastinating Novelist” bit of the blog title? Well, absence from the blog means presence in the fiction writing. I've just finished an important draft of a major project (that I’ve been advertising since this website’s advent), so I have a bit of scribbling time to fill. How’s a movie review sound to y’all? Hopefully that answer is “Great!” cause that’s what you’re getting.
Last night in the company of friends, I availed myself of the newest Marvel offering, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. In the echelon of sequels, it ranks among one of the best I’ve ever seen for many reasons, chief among them, it knows its audience. Even better, it knows a story need not be profound to tweak the heartstrings. This second task is the most surprising part of this absolute rollick of a popcorn flick.
So much of what comes out of Hollywood these days is encumbered by a crippling need to please that millions of dollars get wasted on mediocrity. This trope rendered Guardians a welcome reprieve because the film is nothing if not confident. Confident in its silly characters, in its singular brand of off color humor, in its performances, and its story. The plot is shoe-string simple, and follows our heroes as they aid, then flee a race of perfect beings ripe for Rocket Raccoon joke fodder, then become entangled in the unfolding mystery of Star Lord’s half alien lineage, the details of which I’ll omit save for teasing the presence of a deliciously playful Kurt Russell. It’s fun to watch veteran actors enjoy themselves, and Russell is no exception in this case. The upside of the simple plot is a plethora of room for the characters of whom the audience has become so fond. The unexpected bonus is that there’s actual character development among this band of wise-cracking hooligans, and it’s surprisingly moving development.
I repeat. These filmmakers know what their audience wants. They know we want Baby Groot, so straight out of the gate is an abundance of Baby Groot. They know we want a good time 80s era mix tape soundtrack. We get said mixtape worthy soundtrack. They know we want a flirty, loveably awkward, shirtless, and inexplicably bada** Star Lord. We get flirty, loveably awkward shirtlessness, and bada**ery. The film is loaded with fan indulgence, but none of it feels like a cheap bid for laughs or like it’s begging to please. It’s fun. It knows it. And we as fans get to sit back and enjoy the ride.
But all this ease of entertainment is ultimately what invests the emotional bits with strength. Humor can often take the sting off poignancy in a needed way that rescues a serious piece from pretension. Likewise, depth within a mostly humorous work can achieve unexpected power, and the film achieves just that in its exploration of Star Lord’s parentage. Peter Quill is ultimately the son of a single mother, an abandoned mother, and he is a little boy searching for the father he never had. In this era, he’s a far more common tale than he once was in many sheltered, affluent circles who can afford to go see this movie in theatres at nearly twenty dollars a ticket. Chris Pratt handles this lonely little boy side of his character with heart and agility that melds with the sense of humor that made the man so instantly likeable in the first Guardians. And his costars shine with equal skill and grace.
So if you’re looking for a summer blockbuster worth your time, and you’re not yet weary of sequels or superheroes, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a fantastic romp with heart.
Thank you for reading.
B
