Whenever a popular movie creates a sequel, the anticipation for lingering questions to be answered creates an almost unreachable expectation for the new film to be on par with the original. For Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, by James Gunn, the sequel was an undeniable success and even outdid the previous volume.

For context, the acting was superb. The protagonist, Star Lord (Chris Pratt), along with his companion, create a team that fights evil across the galaxy in the name of friendship and peace. Star Lord, nicknamed Quill, is the perfect leader of the team: A joking, adventurous, and high-integrity half-human who sets the tone for the rest of his alien companions. His crew looks up to him, and in many ways, so can the audience too–he is a role model for aliens that don’t fit in and convinces them that they belong, even though he himself hails from a foreign land.

Secondly, the film is unique. It can be compared to legendary trilogies like Star Wars and Star Trek, but the humor and companionship exhibited by the group of castoffs through American music and jokes is never before seen. Moreover, the plot arc of the sequel is satisfying. It fails to provide irritating cliffhangers and also includes exhilarating new twists every scene. The Guardians start off fighting an octopus-like creature and end up in an entirely new planet with Quill’s long-lost father.

However, Gunn does not stop there–he frequently switches back to planets in which other members of the Guardians are captured and provides the audience with anticipation that they will all be reunited, which they are. All the while, however, the culture of humor defines each scene and keeps the viewer engaged amid the constant space battle.

In many ways, the film creates a new genre of fantasy-adventure films–an action-comedy story that enraptures the viewer. While there may be some quibbles over the finite parts of including Quill’s father, they are quickly forgotten by how unique the rest of the film is. On the part of every viewer of volume 2, the movie scene needs a volume 3.

Rating: 5/5

Show places: AMC Inver Grove 16, Mann Highland I and II, AMC Rosedale 14