2:16 PG-13

2.5/4

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is a messy, weirdly-paced, inferior, yet ultimately still enjoyable follow-up to the original “Guardians”.

Starring Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, and Dave Bautista as Drax, the film returns almost the entire cast of the original, as well as having the same usually excellent writer and director, James Gunn.

Frankly, the film’s script is problematic. After the success of the original, it feels as though Gunn was pressured by Marvel Studios to include more goofy jokes and up the banter between the characters. While it’s entertaining and energetic, it comes without the freshness the first movie provided.The script feels more anchored by trailer-worthy punchlines and bold declarations than the clever wit and genuine emotion found in most of Gunn’s work.

While there are stretches of the film where the dialogue finds its stride and Gunn’s writing succeeds in the ways it usually does, some of the charm is diminished by the scenes that fall flat.

Even with all the criticism the script deserves, the cast remains mostly unscathed and even salvages some of the questionable dialogue, with Pratt, Bautista, and Bradley Cooper, who voices Rocket Raccoon, being the highlights.

Also of note are Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone, who serve as a good example of what can go right and wrong with celebrity cameos. Russell is excellent, filling his role with charisma and self-awareness, while Stallone struggles mightily and feels completely forced.

One saving grace of the film is the beautiful production design. Even when the dialogue is struggling or the plot starts to become tedious, everything else on screen offers welcome distractions. There are numerous beautiful creature designs, landscapes, and planets shown here, and Gunn’s superb direction accentuates all of it.

Most of the problems with the film come from the high expectations set for it. After the original film transcended the traditional Marvel movie format to become something truly special, it’s disappointing to see the sequel pander to its target audience using more simplistic jokes and weaker references. This sequel was an opportunity for the franchise to really grow and evolve, but it ended up feeling like a step back.

When it comes down to it, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” offers exactly what’s advertised: a science fiction action movie with an all-star cast and plenty of laughs. It just doesn’t do it nearly as well as the original.