SYNOPSIS: Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” blasts into theaters on May 5, 2017.

REVIEW:

Rocket: Does anybody have any tape out there? I wanna put some tape over the "Death" button!

Peter Quill: [Hanging by one arm] Nobody has any tape!
Rocket: Not a single person has tape?

Peter Quill: You have an atomic bomb in your bag! If anyone is gonna have tape, it's *YOU*!

[Baby Groot grabs the device and runs off with it while Rocket's back is turned]

Rocket: I have to do everything!

Peter Quill: You are wasting a lot of time here!

Baby Groot: I... AM... GROOOOOOT!

Rocket: [to himself] That's a really bad sign.

It might be a bad sign for Rocket but it's great sign for us. In one word, FUN! This is easily one of the most fun Marvel flicks so far. It is most definitely one of the funniest too! It's literally laugh out loud and hard hilarious. You might actually think this was a comedy, not an action, adventure, sci-fi movie. But don't worry, we get plenty of action, adventure, and sci-fi too. This film has it all in just the right amounts. There's also some increasing love tension between Quill and Gamora (if you've seen the first one, you know what I mean), a reunion with a long lost father, rivalry amongst friends, new characters, new friends and new enemies to add on to the old friends and old enemies also present. Oh and we can't forget the cutest aspect of this film, our little Baby Groot still voiced by Vin Diesel. He is one of the cutest animated characters in film of all time (or at least that's my opinion . . . I did say one of). Groot as a baby/toddler has become the mascot of the team who still needs nurturing and to be protected. He is just adorable and steals any scene he's in. All the major players in the original cast are back again (thank you) and reprise their roles almost effortlessly. This team of misfits is exactly the team that everybody would love to be a part of. Again, it's just so much fun.

One of more popular features of the first Guardians was the excellent soundtrack. This one picks up right where the first one left off. The music and song selection was masterful, as good as the first one if not better. The visual aspects, cinematography and special effects, were also just as good if not better. Priscilla specifically told me to mention how good the 3D was for this film. Lucky for us the screening was in an IMAX configured theater and we saw the movie in 3D. You know how sometimes you might see a movie in 3D and it just really didn't make a difference. Well, in this case it is exceptional. So far everything points to this being a really great sequel. Not so fast. The one thing I was a little perplexed about with this film is how disconnected it is. The plot is pretty good and interesting as it ties some loose ends within the Guardians story but it lacked good connection with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Infinity War looming around the corner, I was expecting this film to begin heading in that direction. Well, unless I missed it which is quite possible, I didn't catch any obvious connections to the MCU climax. The majority of the recent Marvel films had some clues/connections even if it was the mere presence of one of the Infinity stones. Heck, even the first Guardians story revolved around one of them. I was a little disappointed with this one because of that, but putting that aside the movie is still really good and fun. And we are treated to the traditional and entertaining Stan Lee cameo . . . be on the lookout for it. Vol. 2 is directed by James Gunn who directed the first one and apparantly is tagged to be the man at the helm for number 3. He has proven to be the man for the job. Marvel fans, I believe you won't be disappointed overall with this film. I do recommend to those who haven't seen the first one to do so in order to better understand the chemistry between these characters. Enjoy!