Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy – You can enjoy Vol. 2 without watching Vol. 1

I caught the preview screening for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 last night and it was fun. I finally know what all the fuss is about the talking raccoon with a bad attitude (Rocket) and the cute tree trunk superhero that has been shrunk to baby size (Groot).

The humour is edgy and the characters are really quirky, not your usual goody two shoes superheroes. The storyline moves really quickly, supercharging you with battle scenes and mad space chases, one after another.

While most other superheroes like the Avengers or the X-men are contended with just saving planet Earth, the lot at Guardians of the Galaxy are on to much bigger stuff, rescuing planets and the galaxy. Yes, a talking racoon and a baby tree trunk are doing things even Thor, Iron Man and trusty Captain America may struggle to accomplish.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is the sequel to 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy and the fifteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is written and directed by James Gunn and stars an ensemble cast featuring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone, and Kurt Russell.

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the Guardians travel throughout the cosmos as they help Peter Quill learn more about his true parentage. They struggle to keep themselves together as a family through the ordeal, but rest assured there is a happy ending where good triumphs over evil like any other good old superheroes movie.

To be honest, I do not remember most of the story right after walking out of the theatres. Most of it is irrelevant, but yet engaging. Like most sci-fi space travel movies, you have to let go of your sense of realism when you step into the theatre or you won’t be able to enjoy the story.

The main theme is about family – the bond between Quill and his dad; and the bond between different members of the Guardians. The film has got heart and is moving in a strange way.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 feels to me like a top-notch B-grade movie which used to go straight to VHS tape without heading to the big screen. Two thumbs up from me still because there is no denying it was an entertaining movie to watch. This is pretty good coming from someone who has not seen Vol. 1 nor read the original comic book.

To clear any doubts, you can enjoy Vol. 2 without having seen the earlier movie or know nothing about the Guardians or the original comic book. I am a walking proof.

Those who have seem both Vol. 1 and 2 told me the first one is even better. Now I have to go watch Vol. 1.

Meanwhile, for those who dig superhero movies or like their heroes with a little bit of personality and attitude, go catch Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 which will be opening in Singapore cinemas from tomorrow (27 Apr).