Writer/Director: James Gunn
Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista
‘A Spectacular Sequel’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films which audiences cherish like Chris Pratt. Ever since his rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Pratt has become a strong icon. Whether it’s space scavengers, bold baseball players or dinosaur trainers, Pratt has portrayed many compelling characters. Arguably, Pratt’s finest strength as an actor has often been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has commonly had a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t main focus of a movie, Pratt has always left an impression. Through his abilities to play characters which are compelling, Pratt has built a legacy that’s lasting. Although he’s best known for his iconic role in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, Pratt has proven that he can make engaging movies in every genre. Throughout his long-lasting career, Pratt has made several unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Pratt and adore all the films which he has created in his career. However, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2017, James Gunn’s movie offered an engaging tribute towards an iconic superhero team. Packed with stunning action, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best comic-book movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Chris Pratt, who embodies an extraordinary space explorer. Ultimately, what makes “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” a sci-fi masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles powerful themes that everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing comic-book masterpiece, there are countless reasons why “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is worth seeing.
Following the events of “Guardians of Galaxy”, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” tells the story of a superhero team enduring adversity. Chris Pratt plays Star Lord, a bold space scavenger with a love for adventure. Star Lord has always shared a strong bond with his guardians team which he loves dearly. However, Star Lord’s life forever changes when he is given the chance to embark on dangerous adventures. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Star Lord questions whether it’s possible to cope with his role as space scavenger. Faced with tragedies, Star Lord questions a lifelong love for exploring the galaxy. As problems become hard to face, Star Lord questions a lifelong for exploring the reaches of space.
James Gunn has always been fascinated with the stories of guardians exploring the galaxy. A fantastic filmmaker, Gunn has always created engaging films about galaxies in danger. With “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”, however, the filmmaker made his first sequel. It was Gunn’s first attempt to illustrate the lives of guardians exploring galaxy, but he succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Gunn captures a superhero team embarking on a journey in a galaxy. Evoking George Lucas’ “Star Wars”, the filmmaker effectively uses point-of-view shots to capture hardships which space scavengers often go through. For instance, the POV shots enhance the space journey scene. During this unforgettable scene, Star Lord embarks upon a journey across the galaxy with his superhero team. Through spellbinding POV shots, Gunn creates a portrait of space that’s compelling. POV shots are tricky techniques to use in film. As Spike Jonze’s “Her” suggested, POV shots enhance films about technology addicts. That being said, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Gunn captures the tensions that commemorated space heroes are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” that merits appreciation is the action. From a technical perspective, the film is well made. Emulating Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers”, Gunn effectively uses cross-cutting editing to capture superhero teams working in collaboration. Throughout the film, Gunn uses cross-cutting editing to capture tensions that superhero teams are facing. For instance, the cross-cutting enhances the superheroes team scene. During this memorable scene, Star Lord works along his team of guardians to defeat a villain. Using cross-cutting, Gunn constructs a portrait of teams that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Tyler Bates’ commemorated music is key to success of the movie. It gives the film an intense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that superhero teams commonly bear. Through bold production, Gunn captures superhero teams embarking upon a dangerous mission.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is a comic-book movie that’s compelling. The movie is extremely well written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture tensions which space scavengers are facing. Gunn’s screenwriting strength is ability to capture the tension that space scavengers are facing through using flashbacks. The movie deftly switches back and forth among two distinct timelines: past flashbacks of Star Lord’s traumatic childhood and present-day scenes of his life as a space scavenger. For instance, flashbacks enhance the childhood scene. During this intense scene, Star Lord recounts tragic memories of his past of child abandonment. Using flashbacks, Gunn creates a portrait of space scavengers which audiences can relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in film. As Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty” claimed, flashbacks elevate movies about terrorism. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through a spectacular screenplay, Gunn captures the lives of space teams facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Chris Pratt delivers one of his greatest career performances as Star Lord. Pratt first earned appreciation for playing baseball players in sports dramas. With “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a space hero on a dangerous journey in the galaxy but he pulled it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have been seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most powerful role. With riveting expressions, he captures the anxiety, desperation and grief of a space scavenger on a dangerous journey. It’s a strong performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Chris Pratt, the supporting cast is superb and worthy of appreciations. Zoe Saldana is spectacular, bringing charisma to a feminist space scavenger seeking to overcome her life trauma. Dave Bautista is dazzling, capturing the grave obstacles faced by a space warrior which has teams to save. Lastly, Vin Diesel is worthy of appreciations. As a talking tree, he demonstrates hilarious comical relief towards the movie.
Finally, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing hardships that space scavengers go through. Unlike most Marvel movies targeted towards comic-book fans only, it discusses compelling themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes such as anxiety, mental health and teamwork which would resonate amongst everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the comic-book genre to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about childhood trauma that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is a superhero team everyone would adore.
Fans of Chris Pratt would definitely appreciate “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A spectacular sequel, it honours an actor that is special.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking comic-book movie about guardians seeking to defend a dangerous galaxy, it’s a dazzling reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his ability to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies which audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 