The galaxy's band of marvelous misfits are back in this exhilarating and somewhat formulaic-but-funfilled sequel. Gags, laugh-out-loud one liners and obligatory Marvel twist(s) included. If you can get past all the pointless parts, it's a feel-good space spectacular that you can heartily enjoy from start to finish.  And you get a SUPER ADORABLE CRAZY CUTE bonus in the form of a super adorable crazy cute Baby Groot - you will be rooting for the cutest Marvel character ever created. Guaranteed.

James Gunn is back in the Writer and Director's chair after a stellar Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, which was loved by critics and audiences alike. It was the cheekier, younger space brother of the Marvel 'Phase One' films led by an extremely likeable Chris Pratt. If you've read any stories about Guardians 2 you'll know it doesn't stray too wildly from the comfortable chaos of the first. Hopefully you'll love it just as much. They still bicker, they still save galaxies and kick butt, plus there are different jokes but in the same vein (including an extended laugh about the name Taserface, and Peter Quill's breakdown of TV ratings).

The first film shed little light on orphan Quill's familial background and now we find out why. Quill discovers his long lost father is none other than Kurt Russell - or, rather, a god with a small 'g' called Ego with the ego the size of a planet. Who names their child 'Ego' anyway? Daddy's a Celestial, able to build and become *stuff* and now he wants to reunite with his son. The daddy issues are all over the film, but where will it lead? (Fun fact: Peter Quill used to pretend David Hasselhoff was his dad. N'aw.) At the same time, the gang are being hunted by these immaculate golden people who are too perfect to actually step foot in a spaceship and do it all virtually from their arcade. All because Rocket stole a bunch of batteries. They're hardly a scary threat, and I'm still a tad confused at their overall purpose in the first place. Oh, and there's also another side plot with the Ravagers. You can see why there's a common criticism lurking about on Guardians's lack of focus.

Other new characters include the empathic Mantis (Pom Klementieff), who can feel and manipulate emotions. I feel like she never really breaks through into the gang, except for providing light comic relief that's more pitying and makes you feel mean for laughing. And of course, there's the existing gang who continue to play to their strengths (eg. Rocket blowing stuff up and Drax with his one-liners). Yondu and his head fin and magic whistle dart also has a bigger role in this film, and we get to see more of Nebula and her backstory too. We all thought they might make Nebula an easy choice for Villain No.2 but there's more to her than Karen Gillan's troubled squints/stares.

Let's take some time to talk about that frickin' adorable Baby Groot. Whilst he could easily slip into the background in the first film, he's now the talk of town with his big doe-eyes and love for dancing as evidenced in the opening scene. And seeing the other Guardians parent him is oh so sweet. (I'm only half-convinced that Vin Diesel is actually Groot - he possibly sits in a vocal booth for an hour and walks out $1 million richer.) Props to the team for this genius idea; when we thought we'd lost Groot forever, turns out they had a new and improved plan all this time.


The highlights of the film - excluding ma hometree Groot - include the fantastic visuals and brave scenes (a slow-mo jump through space that will make your face do things even Snapchat filters cannot), the script that just keeps giving, and of course the music. The first soundtrack became my motivational playlist, and the second Awesome Mix references Fleetwood Mac, a lotta Sam Cooke, Cat Stevens and Electric Light Orchestra's Mr Blue Sky which I reckon is one of the best songs ever produced. Chris Pratt is another highlight, even though I imagine Peter Quill is Chris Pratt so if you think about it that's quite rubbish acting...

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 had a tough job from the start to replicate the freshness of Vol 1 whilst remaining fresh. The expectations were high but as long as you don't compare the two like for like, you shouldn't be disappointed. There is some sort of overarching unfocused plot throughout Guardians Vol 2. but ultimately it is all about family. Literal blood relative, adoptive, surrogate, or the dysfunctional family of former mercenaries...it's neatly wrapped up in a space superhero movie. Bar some unexpected cameos, it's pretty much what you'd expect...in the most entertaining way possible.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is in cinemas now.

Did you know?

If you're wondering why Kraglin (Yondu's second in command) looked so familiar, it's because he's Sean Gunn aka Kirk in Gilmore Girls! It took me forever to work it out, and he's also the younger brother of director James Gunn.

There are loads of post-credits scenes so stay til the very end - even after the lights come back on. One of them features a Miley Cyrus voice cameo, apparently.

Waiting for the next installment already? Avengers: Infinity War is released in 2018 and features all the Avengers, plus Doctor Strange and Spiderman, plus all the Guardians. Phwoaaar what a lineup. They're forming a super-super-team to take down Thanos.