"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" Review
For the first time in a while we're given a Marvel movie that isn't focused on setting up the next movie in a carefully constructed cinematic universe. Finally, a movie that just does whatever it wants outside of being another feature length commercial for the next Avengers team up. "Vol 2" feels just as confident as the first Guardians movie with just as much if not more laughs to be had than before. James Gunn's script is able to elevate the movie's somewhat mediocre plot and almost makes you forget about its laughably dull antagonists and uncomfortably clunky exposition. It's paced extremely well and the character work matches and surpasses all expectations. It's visually gorgeous to look at and is a breath of fresh air from the usual muted colours of the other Marvel movies. Maybe it's the new camera they're using, maybe it's the direction -it's probably both. Its soundtrack is pretty neat (though the movie indulges in the music a bit too much in my opinion), and the ending (no spoilers) is my favourite ending to any Marvel movie. Ever. Go watch it. It's fun. It's hilarious. It's surprisingly emotional. And it has a pretty amazing prison escape sequence that puts the one in Vol 1 to shame.