Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2
Director: James Gunn
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Kurt Russell
Picking up where the original film left off, the second volume of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” saga follows Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and his newfound family: Gamora, Rocket, Baby Groot and Drax as they journey across the galaxy together in search of answers to Quill’s mysterious past…especially the identity of his long-lost father.
Family is one of the most powerful themes in Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and it is most strongly illustrated in the characters of Gamora, Nebula and Peter.
While the bond forged between Gamora and Peter has come a long way from what it was in the first movie, I do not think they are ready for a relationship yet, but not because they don't have anything healthy to offer each other....indeed, I think they have a great deal in common, not the least of which is they both have extremely toxic Daddy issues....she with Thanos and he with his newfound father, Ego (Kurt Russell). Really though, especially in Gamora's case, it’s a much more personal journey. I think they both need to learn to how love and forgive themselves first BEFORE they are willing to let themselves be that vulnerable and find love with someone else. Gamora has spent her entire life putting up these unbreakable walls around her heart because of the excruciatingly painful childhood that she endured as Thanos's adopted daughter. I don't think she really knows what real love is....not for her sister, Nebula, who she's only just barely started to allow into her well-guarded heart, and not with Peter because the only man she's ever known is her father who was an abusive tyrant, and in this movie, Peter was an arrogant ass for most of it and in the last, he treated women like they were little more than a sexual amusement for him. To put it simply, she doesn't trust him yet. I did see tiny little moments where she let her guard down though....when they were dancing together and when she was being a mom to Baby Groot and even when she was talking to Peter about his dad. She's trying....she's just not ready yet to let him in all the way. He's going to have to earn her trust, but when he does, he will find a woman who is more worthy than most.
Peter has his own struggles. Of the three "parent figures" he's had in his life, Ego was non-existent until this movie and then he tried to corrupt Peter’s heart to his own will. Yondu became Peter’s surrogate father when he "adopted" Peter after his mother’s death to save him from being killed by Ego, but his love for Peter (while it is very strong) was buried beneath layers of hostility and it is only brought to light when Yondu chooses to save Peter’s life over his own. The only other parent Peter has ever known is his mother, Meredith, and her memory carries the most pain for Peter because he still hasn't come to terms with her death. He hasn't let go of that pain and guilt he felt from those last moments before his mother’s death when he failed to give his mother her last wish by taking her hand and that is why he waits so long to open her last gift to him…because he knows that once he does, she will truly be gone. This pain, coupled with his own arrogance and immaturity make it difficult for Peter to form a deeper relationship with Gamora or his adopted family.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is truly a worthy addition to the “Guardians” franchise. The story continues where the original left off, and while there is a great deal of humor and action, I was very surprised at how deeply emotional this second installment was…particularly the ending. The casting is exceptional, particularly for Kurt Russell who smolders as the villainous Ego. If you enjoy a good, well-told superhero film, than “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” is definitely a film worthy of your time.
© 2013 – 2018 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: James Gunn
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Kurt Russell
Picking up where the original film left off, the second volume of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” saga follows Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and his newfound family: Gamora, Rocket, Baby Groot and Drax as they journey across the galaxy together in search of answers to Quill’s mysterious past…especially the identity of his long-lost father.
Family is one of the most powerful themes in Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and it is most strongly illustrated in the characters of Gamora, Nebula and Peter.
While the bond forged between Gamora and Peter has come a long way from what it was in the first movie, I do not think they are ready for a relationship yet, but not because they don't have anything healthy to offer each other....indeed, I think they have a great deal in common, not the least of which is they both have extremely toxic Daddy issues....she with Thanos and he with his newfound father, Ego (Kurt Russell). Really though, especially in Gamora's case, it’s a much more personal journey. I think they both need to learn to how love and forgive themselves first BEFORE they are willing to let themselves be that vulnerable and find love with someone else. Gamora has spent her entire life putting up these unbreakable walls around her heart because of the excruciatingly painful childhood that she endured as Thanos's adopted daughter. I don't think she really knows what real love is....not for her sister, Nebula, who she's only just barely started to allow into her well-guarded heart, and not with Peter because the only man she's ever known is her father who was an abusive tyrant, and in this movie, Peter was an arrogant ass for most of it and in the last, he treated women like they were little more than a sexual amusement for him. To put it simply, she doesn't trust him yet. I did see tiny little moments where she let her guard down though....when they were dancing together and when she was being a mom to Baby Groot and even when she was talking to Peter about his dad. She's trying....she's just not ready yet to let him in all the way. He's going to have to earn her trust, but when he does, he will find a woman who is more worthy than most.
Peter has his own struggles. Of the three "parent figures" he's had in his life, Ego was non-existent until this movie and then he tried to corrupt Peter’s heart to his own will. Yondu became Peter’s surrogate father when he "adopted" Peter after his mother’s death to save him from being killed by Ego, but his love for Peter (while it is very strong) was buried beneath layers of hostility and it is only brought to light when Yondu chooses to save Peter’s life over his own. The only other parent Peter has ever known is his mother, Meredith, and her memory carries the most pain for Peter because he still hasn't come to terms with her death. He hasn't let go of that pain and guilt he felt from those last moments before his mother’s death when he failed to give his mother her last wish by taking her hand and that is why he waits so long to open her last gift to him…because he knows that once he does, she will truly be gone. This pain, coupled with his own arrogance and immaturity make it difficult for Peter to form a deeper relationship with Gamora or his adopted family.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is truly a worthy addition to the “Guardians” franchise. The story continues where the original left off, and while there is a great deal of humor and action, I was very surprised at how deeply emotional this second installment was…particularly the ending. The casting is exceptional, particularly for Kurt Russell who smolders as the villainous Ego. If you enjoy a good, well-told superhero film, than “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” is definitely a film worthy of your time.
© 2013 – 2018 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.