Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

The Guardians are back! And still getting into trouble. What else would you except from a group of aliens? I was pleasantly surprised with this sequel, because it had an emotional depth to the story that you really wouldn't expect from a franchise like this one. Dealing with the fragile concepts of kidnapping, abandonment, abuse, nature v nurture and what constitutes 'family,' are dealt with quite brilliantly in the Guardians ongoing journey.

Peter Quill never knew his father. His mother never talked about him. Growing up, Peter would make up stories about who his father is and why he was never around. At the end of the first film it's discovered that Peter is part human and his father was of some alien nature, but nothing else could be explained. All that Peter knows is that his father wasn't human. After 34 years of wondering and questioning, Peter has put his father is the back of his mind and is focusing on the missions for himself and Guardians to complete.

Now seen as a completely legitimate crew that are consigned out for missions, the Guardians are doing well for themselves. That is until Rocket pulls a stunt that puts them all in danger. However, they're miraculously spared by an interesting man from the stars named Ego. He also happens to be Peter's father. Ego is a celestial, who created himself into human form. He went to Earth to discover the lifeforms there and met Peter's mother. However, he couldn't be away from his planet for long and eventually had to leave her and their son.

Now at long last, Peter and his father are reunited. Peter discovers who he is entirely and the unexpected power he as a part celestial can wield. Yet, the old proverb, 'be careful what you wish for,' seems to ring quite true for Peter and the Guardians and Peter's desire for his father could end what the Guardians have spent so long creating.

Family and what makes a family is heavily emphasized in Vol. 2. It's seen with Peter and his relationship with Ego, his long lost father. As well as his difficult relationship with his foster father, Yondu, the man responsible for kidnapping Peter and making him a Ravager. Gamora and her rivalry with her adopted sister, Nebula who hates Gamora for being their father's favorite and was abused for never being good enough. And Rocket's inability to get close to anyone lest he actually might care for them. 

We also get a new crew member in the form of a socially awkward empath named Mantis who seems to fit in with her oddities, but also surprising strengths. She's also a possible love interest for Drax and God knows he needs somebody. And baby Groot! Just a precious little angel!

I really did like this one. It still had the original quirkiness of the first film, but definitely more mature in both content and story. The Guardians crew are probably some of the most relatable characters in any Marvel film I've ever seen. They don't set out to be heroes, just a bunch of people traveling around the Galaxy who have the wherewithal to do some good along the way.