Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

It really needs something more than the solid chemistry of the main gang, Zoe Saldana, Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone’s cameo. After half an hour of camera flourishes and digital effects I already had a headache. (08/12/2017)

It's like gutting the core of Red Dwarf, stretching it for two hours, throwing it in a magic box where special effects slaves work, and then having it generate a "movie." The first half is still quite bearable, and, in particular, Rocket manages to do what nobody could do in the first part, which is to plant personal moments and one-liners. However, the moment when the villain is defined, the following came to me: "Fuck it!", because then you're just honestly ticking off all the properties of the standard Marvel menu. No dessert, no surprise. (08/19/2017)

Marvel has secured its standard at the turning point between the second and third phases of its immense universe. The solo films have their own power, humor, and clear goal, while the team movies aim higher with their ambitions and allow the heroes to deal with a more general problem that troubles all of society. And then there are the Guardians of the Galaxy, who break everything and triumph with their detachment from the rest of the events. I don't know how James Gunn does it, but whatever the fans want, he seems to be able to satisfy everyone. Teamwork, squabbling among the Guardians, strong individual stories, a unique enemy, switching sides, the development of familiar supporting characters, touching catharsis, and in the background, once again, an original and unmistakable song soundtrack perfectly supporting jokes like those of a rather stagnant teenager. I consider the change in mood during the final battle a surprisingly great risk, since in the first movie, even at the most dramatic moments, there were quips and all kinds of silliness, while now the atmosphere freezes for a decent period of time at the critical point. This is where the series matures to some extent and next time will have to come up with something new. However, one specific post-credits sequence suggests that this will not be a problem. Many thanks for this fireworks display of ideas that never ceases for a minute. (05/14/2017)

Even though the movie is not as good as the first part, it still is a very good Marvel movie which – in terms of fun and original ideas – beats other Marvel films. For the first half an hour, I kept thinking about where the plot was headed only to start really enjoying it later. Starlord, Groot, Rocket, Drax and Gamora are simply a group of friends that I wished I had my entire childhood, only to finally find them in adulthood. Those three years of waiting were really worth it. By the way, it’s interesting that Tyler Bates chose a soundtrack consisting of lesser known hit songs, which is really working with the film. I was satisfied and I am really curious what the authors will come up with when things get tough with the average Avengers. Average not only in terms of the characters, but also in terms of the jokes. I hope that Teen Groot will save the day… (05/27/2017)

Blockbuster equivalent of the 90th TV Nova Saturday variety show, too colorful, trying to be funny at all costs, but it´s simply not funny. It´s excessively long, dull and relies only on famous people making faces. Perhaps only Petr Novotný was a better villain than these ones. The characters themselves are not that bad, but the way they are (not) uses in a confusing coloring book digital is hopeless. The first hour can keep up with the first movie in terms of quality, put the second one destroys the whole "feel good" concept. (05/06/2017)