Y'all are saved from a monster 'live-review' of Guardian's of the Galaxy Vol. 2 by the fact that my computer hates me. Seriously, the damn touch pad right in front of teh keypad... which I cannot turn off in any way, seems to interpret my hands being anywhere near the keys as orders to fuck up what I'm doing.
Anyway, in short form: It was good in that tongue in cheek way deconstruction of movie cliches that the first only touched on, though there were some painful running gags, mostly involving Drax the Destroyer, that wore thin very, very fast. Also: am I not mistaken in my impression that Drax the Destroyer has kicked almost exactly zero ass in two movies now?
I'll short form, no spoil, it for ya: this film in one of a handful in recent memory that seems to grasp that great stories have big underlying themes that are not the actual plot.. like how Kirk facing mortality was a big feature of the first Wrath of Khan. Here the Themes are the importance of family, of belonging and of forgiveness and redemption.
This is fucking Yondu's film. He owns it.
Little known actresses in supporting roles also crush it, especially the woman playing Mantis. Its an over the top scenery chewing naif role, and she manages to keep it real despite the absurdity. The actress playing Ayesha, the Sovereign High Preistess does a marvellous job with a very understated role, not as impressive by nature, but no less skillful. Both are doing it through absurd amounts of special effects. I'll give Gunn credit: he can use talent.
Baby Groot is Totes Adorbs... *
*This poster does not condone, nor endorse, the use of outdated tween shit-speak to describe things. If you imagine this poster has, in fact, done any such thing this poster invites you to check again, then, preferrably after watching the film in question.