My Family: Review of Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol.2

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2

Director: James Gunn

By Alex Watson

James Gunn proves that blending quirky humour with sci-fi is still a winner. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 is another joyful ride with our favourite amigos. Rather than just sticking to the tried and tested formula, there is also an emotional undercurrent. Family and belonging is the key message of this picture. While our band of misfits might slowly becoming one- there is also the notion of how they will stick together.

After being forced to run for their lives from the golden Sovereign race aliens led by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki). Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) are soon rescued by an unlikely ally. Revealing himself to be Quill's father, Ego (Kurt Russell), Peter feels a big sense of conflict about bonding with a man he never knew. The others have deep suspicions over what daddy's real intentions are.

While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 doesn't feel as original as its predecessor, it is still fun nonetheless. Starting with a great and offbeat opening sequence that sees Baby Groot dancing away in the midst of the others battling a huge beast. Gunn's faith in his material is evident and once again he does well to keep the focus on these great characters. In this picture, we see our heroes slowly being driven apart from another. Their individual streaks are causing rifts, especially Rocket's unadvised stealing that has pissed off the Sovereigns. Ego's appearance is literally earth-shattering and we feel every inch of Quill's conflict. Although together father and son are an easy going dream, this whole introduction feels very rushed through. Caught between two fathers, blue pirate Yondu (Michael Rooker) emerges as the real father figure in this movie. Underneath that surly facade is a man with a heart of gold. Ego's real ambitions are what divides this group, is he just wanting to make up for lost time or is there something in Peter's genes he is more interested in?

Undeniably this picture feels itself when the group is in conflict. The unspoken romantic tension between Quill and Gomora is still affecting. Rocket is still a riot as a character and his snarky and impulsive thievery never fails to make us smile. Yondu is quick to recognise this guy is little more than an animal version of himself, whose psychological troubles run deep. Several supporting characters each set their own mark including vengeful sister Nebula (Karen Gillan) who finally gets a weighty story under her belt. We also finally get to see a human side underneath her robotic parts and an understanding of her hostility. Drax also shares a sweet and funny side story with simple minded alien Mantis (Pom Klementieff). The one area these movies always fall down, however, is in the villain department. Although Kurt Russell is able to inject every ounce of charm and grit as Ego- he just doesn't come off as memorable. Gunn sadly fails to make the most this reunion and unfortunately, we can see the big twist looming like Drax.

The second half of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 sadly is nowhere near as entertaining as the first. While there is an emotional poignancy that was severely lacking in the first, an overly long final battle make us restless. There are also some ill-advised inclusions early on, Sylvester Stallone's Ravager Stakar Ogord is barely given any screen time. You also get the sense that Gunn is trying to cram too much in to set us up for Vol.3. Despite these flaws, Gunn has still crafted a sequel that stays very true to itself. The Marvel Universe has found a set of unique character who each are coming into their own. This is one family you will love to be a part of.

Chris Pratt still shows that his Peter Quill is the funniest guy in the galaxy. Showcasing his trademark wit and sarcasm, Pratt has found his onscreen soulmate. Andy from Parks and Recreation has come a long way! Bradley Cooper nearly steals the show again as Rocket, losing none of his comic touches. In this episode, Cooper is allowed to explore a more complex side of his nature and we see that below there is a racoon longing for more. Michael Rooker comes off as the pictures main hero as we begin to realise the hard time he gave Quill as a child was for a much bigger purpose. One of Hollywood's most underrated supporting men, Rooker steals the hearts of Marvel's fans everywhere.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol.2 is once again an offbeat and winning experience. Bring on Vol.3 soon Mr Gunn, if only for another Awesome Mix soundtrack!

Cold War Collision: Review of The Man From U.N.C.L.E

The Man From U.N.C.L.E

Director: Guy Ritchie

By Alex Watson

Although it suffers from a rather bland story line, Guy Ritchie's adaption of The Man From U.N.C.L.E is a stylish affair that succeeds as pure entertainment. The dream partnership of Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer is one that make the picture click. Ritchie is gradually making a career on steadily paced action flicks and his good run continues here. This perhaps isn't quite the must see blockbuster as originally intended but there is enough thrills and witty banter for us to want a second helping.

During the cold war both CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and KGB agent Ilya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) are forced to work together to stop a fascist group. Hatred and rivalry is still simmering from an unforgettable first encounter in East Berlin. Thrown into the mix is Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander), the daughter of a renowned Nazi bomb scientist who is a target for both agencies. Can both men work through their animosity and save the world?

A cool and calculated work from the very get-go, Ritchie opens memorably as we play at cat and mouse game in East Berlin. Through rescuing Gaby, both agents become acquainted when Ilya and his 'barely human' abilities are ably demonstrated as he literally rips the tail off Solo's car. When paired together the result is a fine one as Solo's witty yet insolent humour wonderfully plays off Ilya's embittered intensity. Together the men share the shame goals and underneath all the bickering and one upping there is a fine team underneath.  The dueling of minds, car chases and clever tricks from former thief Napoleon give the picture a slick feel that allows it to glide along.

The villains Alexander and Victoria Vinciguerra (Luca Calvani & Elizabeth Debicki) are a little low on taste and have nothing to do little else than look rich and cunning. Centrally the story is one of the few misfires of an otherwise fine ride because outside the cool imagery, it just feels like a standard ride. The original TV series did pride itself on the characters solving a problem a week. This picture though runs out of fuel after a bright start and the picture instead becomes confused on what exactly the prime focus is? Action sequences become less frequent and the picture suffers from a lack of growth through this.

Aside from these forgivable oversights, The Man From U.N.C.L.E is still a great experience and thanks to a wonderful triumvirate it does succeed. Gaby is perhaps the trump card for both men because she truly fears neither. The budding romance between her and Ilya might not completely convince but it does give a great boost in the side laughs department. There is also wonderful late addition of British agent Waverley (Hugh Grant) who shows up to near upstage boyj men with a dry but well-timed sense of funny. Working both as an offbeat buddy comedy and as an action flick, Solo and Kuryakin are a perfect match for one another.

The principle success of Ritchie's film comes from the excellent pairing of Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer. From the start the pair plays off each other magnificently and Cavill's cocky and suave way is matched by Hammer's ferociousness. Refusing to be upstaged, Alicia Vikander holds her own as the tough natured Gaby. Although wanted by both agencies, Gaby firmly makes it clear that she belongs to no one and Vikander gives her a smart edge that helps her stand out. In a brief appearance Hugh Grant also gets a laugh in as Waverley and shows what is perhaps his finest work in sometime.

Guy Ritchie has done a good job developing The Man From U.N.C.L.E and has delivered one of this summers cooler thrillers. It might not be perfect, but it has enough excitement and provides a wonderful threesome to shape a series. Next time it might be a different story... tune in next week to find out!