Early 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' Reactions Are Joyous

It’s showtime, a-holes! Members of the press were granted an early screening of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, directed by James Gunn, and the consensus is overwhelmingly positive. Deemed “fun,” “funny,” and “emotional” with a whopping FIVE post-credits scenes, the second outing for the Guardians may be the new adventure fans are craving.
As of this moment, there aren’t any published reviews, so all reactions are coming out of Twitter in short bursts. Still, you can get a pretty good sense of what’s in store for fans when they see Vol. 2 in theaters on May 5.
The sequel to 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy follows the Guardians as celebrity bounty hunters who struggle to keep up with their new reputation. As the newly-formed family threatens to tear apart, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), a.k.a. Star-Lord, learns more about his true heritage. At the same time, a new job forces the Guardians to welcome newcomers, including Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Nebula (Karen Gillan), better known as Gamora’s (Zoe Saldana) sister and formerly villainous daughter of Thanos (who doesn’t show up in the sequel so don’t worry about him).
Eric Eisenberg of CinemaBlend said the film is incredibly “funny, beautifully colorful” and walked away “super happy!”
Had tons of fun with Guardians of the Galaxy 2. Incredibly funny, beautifully colorful, and great continuations of the heroes. Super happy!
— (((Eric Eisenberg))) (@eeisenberg) April 18, 2017
Haleigh Foutch of Collider says the film is “a whole heap of fun. Gorgeous, a bit mad, and surprisingly emotional.”
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
Angie J. Han from Mashable says Vol. 2 is “MCU at its very best.”
I say without hyperbole: #GotGVol2 is MCU at its very best. Grand adventure with intimate stakes. Uses every damn color in the crayon box. 🌈
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) April 18, 2017
Germain Lussier of Gizmodo says the new movie is “filled with tons of surprises and an unexpected amount of emotion.” He added: “Another Marvel winner.”
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
Uproxx senior writer Mike Ryan says the film takes after Empire Strikes Back and calls it “very fun” while noting that Drax (Dave Bautista) and Groot (Vin Diesel) are show-stoppers.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 2. is very fun. Takes the EMPIRE "split up your characters" strategy. Drax is a hoot. Baby Groot steals the show
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) April 18, 2017
Silas Lesnick of ComingSoon said the first film from 2014 set a high bar but that the sequel does not disappoint.
The first film set a very, very high bar and I'm thrilled to report that #GuardiansoftheGalaxyVol2 does not disappoint in the slightest!
— Silas Lesnick (@silaslesnick) April 18, 2017
Erik Davis of Fandango wrote several tweets in high praise: “[E]xciting, funny, gorgeous & a helluva tearjerker. For many, it will become their new favorite Marvel movie.”
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 is exciting, funny, gorgeous & a helluva tearjerker. For many, it will become their new favorite Marvel movie pic.twitter.com/Po4ZOSPs8Q
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) April 18, 2017
Not everyone is feeling charmed by the Guardians, though. Jeff Sneider of The Tracking Board wrote that Vol. 2 “isn’t as good as the first. What felt fresh now feels forced.”
Hate to be the Voice of Reason, but GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 isn't as good as the first. What felt fresh now feels forced. 2.5/4 stars
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) April 18, 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will be released on May 5.