Three weeks out from launch – in North America, at least – the first reactions to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 are beginning to pour online, while James Gunn has spoken more about the sequel’s multiple post-credits scenes. Spoilers: there are seemingly five – count ’em, five! – in total.
First and foremost, let’s take a look at how Guardians 2 has fared during its preliminary screenings. Marvel’s spacefaring adventure made its debut in Japan on April 10th, and with the UK release date closing in fast – those across the pond can expect Star-Lord and his motley crew to arrive on April 28th – the Internet is now awash with knee-jerk impressions of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Overall, the reception has been one of enthused positivity, with critics showering praise on the film’s visual effects, along with Mantis and Drax’s stand-out performances. There are a few relatively negative reviews peppered in that critical consensus though, after a handful of writers claimed that, for all of its visual prowess, Guardians 2 simply doesn’t live up to its predecessor in the story department.
Per Twitter:
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is funnier than the original, a ton of surprises, and an unexpected emotional profoundness. I am Groot.
— /Film (@slashfilm) April 18, 2017
Mantis and Drax steal the movie. The music on Awesome Mix 2 is great and has some deeper tracks than vol 1.
— /Film (@slashfilm) April 18, 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is filled with tons of surprises and an unexpected amount of emotion. Another Marvel winner.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 18, 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a whole heap of fun. Gorgeous, a bit mad, and surprisingly emotional. And yes, Baby Groot is everything.
— Haleigh Foutch (@HaleighFoutch) April 18, 2017
Holy smokes was Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 2 fun! I had a smile plastered on my face nearly the whole time. Tons of Easter eggs too. pic.twitter.com/558Q7nw8yN
— Dan Casey 🔜 Gen Con (@DanCasey) April 18, 2017
And now, here’s the other side of that critical consensus:
https://twitter.com/TheInSneider/status/854199489741021184
G-team is too split up. Didn't care about Star-Lord & his Dad or Gamora & her sister. Leads not as fun as Rocket, Drax, Yondu or Baby Groot.
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/ShowbizSimon/status/854208573282205696
Plenty of laughs, but so, so much restaging of what worked from the first one. Plus, Baby Groot was sent here from hell to kill me
— Charles Bramesco (@intothecrevasse) April 18, 2017
So, there you have it; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 isn’t without its flaws – and let’s face it, not many films are – but the bigger question will be whether this preliminary consensus has much of a bearing on the box office figures. Only time will tell.
Either way, writer-director James Gunn announced just yesterday that he’s game to write and direct Vol. 3, bringing an end to months of speculation and unfounded Internet gossip. It’ll help tee up the future of the Guardians beyond Avengers: Infinity War, it seems, and those hoping for some connective tissue between Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and the remainder of the MCU are in luck: Gunn’s follow-up will seemingly come packing not one, not three, but five post-credits scenes.
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/854214331730407427
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 shoots for theaters on May 5th – and it looks like we finally now know the identity of Sylvester Stallone’s mystery character.