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Con Suite => Movies and TV Shows => Topic started by: DRWHO42 on April 28, 2017, 03:22:05 PM

Title: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: DRWHO42 on April 28, 2017, 03:22:05 PM
Boukenred was lucky and got to see this movie before the world premiere. Check out his review on the FoCC blog.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: AzT on April 30, 2017, 05:07:47 PM
We knew this ;D

From http://www.newsarama.com/34301-does-stan-lee-play-the-same-character-in-every-cameo-marvel-has-an-official-answer.html

Quote
There's a fan theory that Stan Lee has been playing one character - perhaps even himself - in every single one of his movie cameos. If that idea sounds far-fetched, well, let's just say Marvel isn't shooting it down.

“Yes, we always thought it would be fun. Stan Lee clearly exists, you know, above and apart from the reality of all the films," Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige explained at a press junket (via ScreenRant). "So the notion that he could be sitting there on a cosmic pit stop during the jump gate sequence in [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2] was something very fun — James had that idea and we shot that cameo and loved it so much, you know, you see it a couple of times in the movie. It wasn’t in for a long time and we put it back in towards the end of the process where he references that time he was a Federal Express agent — we thought it would be fun to put that in there because that really says, so wait a minute, he’s this same character who’s popped up in all these films."

While Feige doesn't explicitly say this, part of the theory is that Lee himself bridges the gap between 20th Century Fox, Sony, and Marvel's own cinematic universes. And, given the second Easter egg hiding in Lee's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 cameo (which we won't spoil here), Feige may have just given a handful of conspiratorially minded fans more fuel for their speculation.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: stl_ben on April 30, 2017, 05:15:48 PM
Going on Tuesday...I'm stoked.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Transmute Jun on April 30, 2017, 05:18:05 PM
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We knew this ;D

From http://www.newsarama.com/34301-does-stan-lee-play-the-same-character-in-every-cameo-marvel-has-an-official-answer.html

But does that include his appearance in big Hero 6?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKG_L-fDk8U
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Chris on April 30, 2017, 05:20:29 PM
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We knew this ;D

From http://www.newsarama.com/34301-does-stan-lee-play-the-same-character-in-every-cameo-marvel-has-an-official-answer.html

I've always thought that the fan theory that Stan Lee has all the cameos because he is The Watcher is pure genius.  :)
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Mario Wario on May 04, 2017, 09:14:31 AM
About time it is May 4th! Why? Seeing the movie tonight! Felt like it took forever to get to the date.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: stl_ben on May 04, 2017, 09:48:12 AM
Movie is great.
Once some more of you have watched this ....I need some one explain something to me, or let me know if it is just a plot hole.
Also the Jeff Goldblum cameo was maybe the oddest cameo placement in a movie I have ever seen.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: takit0 on May 04, 2017, 12:31:52 PM
SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!

Because I'm seeing this movie with friends, I have to wait until the 10th  :(  :(
I hope I have enough patience to wait until then... lol.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: mark on May 04, 2017, 05:39:23 PM
Was all set to see the double feature today, then late this morning I started getting chills and running a fever. Completely bummed.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: spritegirl24_7 on May 04, 2017, 08:08:41 PM
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Was all set to see the double feature today, then late this morning I started getting chills and running a fever. Completely bummed.

Oh no! That seriously sucks! We just got out of the double feature, but ours started 30 mins late due to projection issues in the theater. I hope you're feeling better soon & get to go see it.

I loved the movie just as much as Vol. 1.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Mario Wario on May 04, 2017, 10:09:56 PM
Just got back from seeing the film. I must say, it is very good, but it doesn't fully beat the first film. Vol. 1 has that special magic, which makes it hard to beat. Overall, Vol. 2 is entertaining. You all should like it.

Btw, sorry to hear that [member=4270]mark[/member]--I hope you get better fast.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: FBS on May 05, 2017, 01:44:05 AM
For the sake of balance in this thread, and to be a bit of a Debbie Downer, I was not a fan of the film at all. I've seen it twice now and the first watch was OK, even enjoyable at times. But the second viewing was a bore. There is no progression of the characters. The father/son relationship is pretty woeful. The CGI is not up to scratch. The action feels lacklustre especially the damp squib of a finale. The "will-they-won't-they" of Peter and Gamora is touched upon once and then forgotten. I never felt Ego was an all powerful villain either. My biggets gripe is the soundtrack - boring, dull and hardly well-known songs. Also it feels as if they are choosing the songs before even shooting the film now.
I did like Mantis and Nebula. Also good to see Rocket get a more interesting storyline. Nice to see Rooker break out of a secondary character role and become almost a lead guy. And of course Baby Groot steals every scene (which is fun, but also papers over several big cracks in the overall film).

Can't see me ever watching this film again. A complete misstep.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Angology on May 05, 2017, 06:30:32 AM
Saw it last night and really enjoyed it. I guess I am old because I knew all of the songs. I love that they don't use re-purposed hipster-ish remakes of old songs (that does work sometimes). The use of Brandy should have forewarned everyone that Ego was a jerk. As a kid, I liked the song, but remembering complaining to mom that the sailor was a jerk.

The standout to me was Drax. He really made the movie better for me. Every time he laughed, it made me happy. Mr. Bautista really seems to be the perfect actor for the part. Baby Groot was great, and I don't really think that he was overused. Also loved that they gave Rooker a bigger role.

Maybe it wasn't a great film, but I felt it was a really good movie. It made me forget about work for a while (which is something, these days-my job has been hectic and not so great). I will say that the first one was better.

For the sake of balance-I will agree that it was difficult to buy Kurt Russell as a powerful villain. Maybe it's the dimples. Or his performance. It was better than Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor, but that is not a compliment.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: jimy on May 05, 2017, 07:18:18 AM
We saw the Double Feature last night and I have to say that the first one really is still better, it may just be due to the originality at the time. The new one is entertaining but at times it seemed that the humor was a little forced, all the Groot stuff was great and there's lots of it. I did enjoy the deadpan stuff from Drax, but started getting tired of his laughter outbursts after a while. Some of the music may not have been as good as the music in the first one. Quite enjoyed all that Rocket and Rooker got to do in this one, it seemed like most of the secondary stars from the first film all had increased roles in the second go around even Sean Gunn. Plenty of cameos and a number of during the credit clips worth sticking around for.
Overall a fun distraction for a couple of hours, just not quite as fun or original as the first - Go see it for yourself, of course: I AM GROOT 
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Angology on May 05, 2017, 07:29:40 AM
I was just thinking that how much I liked the secondary characters is probably not be a good thing. Aren't the lead characters supposed to shine (I do still like Chris Pratt-he is a likeable guy)?
I never got tired of Drax's laughter. It does sound a bit forced, but I think that is part of his character-people from his planet are probably not well versed in humor (and definitely not tact!).
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Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: stl_ben on May 05, 2017, 08:28:00 AM
Soundtrack was great!  And yes he does pick out the songs before they film.

So now that a few of you have watched this....why exactly did ego give her  the tumor?  Did I miss him explaining why he HAD to do that?
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Blubutterfly505 on May 05, 2017, 01:05:50 PM
I thought the movie was great.  It was a close runner up to the 1st one and I loved all the suprise endings.  Any movie that can make me laugh and cry is usually a win win in my book.  Plus I now have the cutest Baby Groot popcorn container ❤😍❤(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170505/1f350bdcec3df181b7addd3ad41040cd.jpg)

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Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Blubutterfly505 on May 05, 2017, 01:17:02 PM
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Soundtrack was great!  And yes he does pick out the songs before they film.

So now that a few of you have watched this....why exactly did ego give her  the tumor?  Did I miss him explaining why he HAD to do that?

I don't know why he HAD to give her the tumor, but i thought he was growing to attached to her and his love for her was getting in the way of his big picture so it was easier to kill her and move on.  That's just how I saw it but I'm sure there are other theories on this as well
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: AzT on May 05, 2017, 01:38:37 PM
Ready to see it!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTuF8pFj8_l/?taken-by=hasbropulse&hl=en
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: debster on May 05, 2017, 03:16:52 PM
I saw it last night as part of the double feature - I expected a fun movie, so I enjoyed it.

I do think young Kurt Russell was more creepy than anything else...I know he looked like that when he was young, but it was unnerving.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: brand4d2 on May 05, 2017, 07:07:09 PM
I saw it last night as well.   Enjoyed it but am concerned that all the jokes, as great as they were (Taserface, Mary Poppins, trash panda, etc) are perhaps covering up areas where the movie is a bit deficient *coughcough plot*.

I agree about Ego not seeming all that threatening and it seems that the MCU struggles at making Negan type villains whom you fear on all accounts.

I'm totally naming my team for fantasy football "Trash Pandas" btw.   
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: spritegirl24_7 on May 06, 2017, 04:23:54 AM
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I don't know why he HAD to give her the tumor, but i thought he was growing to attached to her and his love for her was getting in the way of his big picture so it was easier to kill her and move on.  That's just how I saw it but I'm sure there are other theories on this as well

Yeah, this was pretty much it. When Peter asked about if Ego loved his mom, he said he did & that he didn't want to leave her. He said he went back 3 times to visit her and he knew if he went back a fourth time that he wouldn't want to leave her again, so he gave her the tumor to kill her so he wouldn't be tempted to go back and ruin his whole grand plan of taking over the universe.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: jimy on May 06, 2017, 07:40:32 AM
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Soundtrack was great!  And yes he does pick out the songs before they film.

So now that a few of you have watched this....why exactly did ego give her  the tumor?  Did I miss him explaining why he HAD to do that?

I thought that Ego explained that he had gone back to Earth multiple times, and was afraid that if he went back again that he would never be able to leave... so the only way that he could be sure to not return to Earth is if she was no longer alive... at least that's the way I took it.

 
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Michaelnaut on May 06, 2017, 02:33:20 PM
Good movie, and just as a few have already said here, doesn't quite match the first.  It's kinda hard to IMHO tho.  The first one was so different, out of left field, and nailed everything.  This one, while really good in it's own right, felt like it was more an extension of the first movie.  That's not a bad thing, but gave more of a feel of "more of the same", if that makes sense.

I thought Kurt Russell was *great* tho...went from really concerned father figure to psycho dad...I honestly enjoyed his character and the moments when he "turned", so to me, that was really good.

Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.


And then for those that stayed for all the scenes during the credit roll...
Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.

Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: kohyuta on May 06, 2017, 02:36:12 PM
Saw it today and enjoyed it quite a bit! Not as much as the first, but the first had the advantage of being unexpected & fresh. I'm with [member=364]Angology[/member], as soon as I knew "Brandy" was Ego's "theme song," I figured he was going to be a dick. I also didn't mind the song choices, which shows my age ;)

Drax and Groot are the comedy MVPs in this one, and I LOVE that a couple of the post-credits scenes delve further into the obscure vastness of the Marvel Universe.
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[member=2539]Michael M[/member]
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I pretty much agree with the consensus that this wasn't as good as the first and Ego wasn't quite as menacing as he could've been, but I enjoyed seeing the character relationships and can't wait to see how they relate to Infinity War. Maybe we'll get some hints in Hall H!
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Michaelnaut on May 06, 2017, 02:42:17 PM
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Saw it today and enjoyed it quite a bit! Not as much as the first, but the first had the advantage of being unexpected & fresh. I'm with [member=364]Angology[/member], as soon as I knew "Brandy" was Ego's "theme song," I figured he was going to be a dick. I also didn't mind the song choices, which shows my age ;)

Drax and Groot are the comedy MVPs in this one, and I LOVE that a couple of the post-credits scenes delve further into the obscure vastness of the Marvel Universe.
Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.

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[member=2539]Michael M[/member]
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I pretty much agree with the consensus that this wasn't as good as the first and Ego wasn't quite as menacing as he could've been, but I enjoyed seeing the character relationships and can't wait to see how they relate to Infinity War. Maybe we'll get some hints in Hall H!
Hmmm, odd that I missed the Gunn confirmation on that, but I'll go with it. :)
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: dcuodust on May 07, 2017, 05:29:29 PM
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For the sake of balance in this thread, and to be a bit of a Debbie Downer, I was not a fan of the film at all. I've seen it twice now and the first watch was OK, even enjoyable at times. But the second viewing was a bore. There is no progression of the characters. The father/son relationship is pretty woeful. The CGI is not up to scratch. The action feels lacklustre especially the damp squib of a finale. The "will-they-won't-they" of Peter and Gamora is touched upon once and then forgotten. I never felt Ego was an all powerful villain either. My biggets gripe is the soundtrack - boring, dull and hardly well-known songs. Also it feels as if they are choosing the songs before even shooting the film now.
I did like Mantis and Nebula. Also good to see Rocket get a more interesting storyline. Nice to see Rooker break out of a secondary character role and become almost a lead guy. And of course Baby Groot steals every scene (which is fun, but also papers over several big cracks in the overall film).

Can't see me ever watching this film again. A complete misstep.
I just saw it and I agree with you. (Granted I saw it in 3D and I hate 3D so that may taint my opinion.) I took my niece and nephew and they said they enjoyed it. I just thought it was a bad movie, particularly the story. The end was overly sentimental and too long. Ego-Celestial made no sense. The action sequences were overwhelming - almost Michael Bayish. Too much fan service, especially Groot and Drax, though I did find Drax entertaining. Nebula I enjoyed from the first film and she did not disappoint.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: FBS on May 08, 2017, 08:28:29 AM
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I just saw it and I agree with you. (Granted I saw it in 3D and I hate 3D so that may taint my opinion.) I took my niece and nephew and they said they enjoyed it. I just thought it was a bad movie, particularly the story. The end was overly sentimental and too long. Ego-Celestial made no sense. The action sequences were overwhelming - almost Michael Bayish. Too much fan service, especially Groot and Drax, though I did find Drax entertaining. Nebula I enjoyed from the first film and she did not disappoint.
You and I shall form a "GotG Vol 2 is rubbish" club. Hahahaha.



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Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: foxbatkllr on May 08, 2017, 01:09:39 PM
Saw it yesterday and I loved it as much as the first.  Wife loved it too. 
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: perc2100 on May 09, 2017, 02:14:42 PM
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Soundtrack was great!  And yes he does pick out the songs before they film.

So now that a few of you have watched this....why exactly did ego give her  the tumor?  Did I miss him explaining why he HAD to do that?
Because this is CLASSIC ego: not the character, actual ego.  Pete's mom brought out the ever-so-much empathy in Ego (the character): empathy is the antithesis of ego.  Empathy is letting feelings, emotion, etc. overtake you in some way, either negative or positive.  Once Quill's mom starting making Ego have feelings; once Ego started falling in love for her, the ego HAS to crush the emotions because that is something else getting in the way of oneself.
Not only was Ego the name of a character, it was an absolute literal embodiment of ego.  Ego lived to serve himself only: when he got board with just himself Ego decides the only way to make things interesting is if EVERY other living entity were wiped out so they can be replaced by something like himself.  Peter's mom was symbolic of empathy (which Peter himself more blatantly embodied in the final battle, by defying ego because he was overcome with his own empathy for his 'real' family), showing Ego love, compassion, friendship, fun, etc.  These feelings got in the way of Ego's...well...ego and as he said had she lived Ego would be on earth constantly loving her.  His own ego HAD to kill those emotions and empathy for something else that got in the way of himself.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: perc2100 on May 09, 2017, 02:20:10 PM
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Good movie, and just as a few have already said here, doesn't quite match the first.  It's kinda hard to IMHO tho.  The first one was so different, out of left field, and nailed everything.  This one, while really good in it's own right, felt like it was more an extension of the first movie.  That's not a bad thing, but gave more of a feel of "more of the same", if that makes sense.

I thought Kurt Russell was *great* tho...went from really concerned father figure to psycho dad...I honestly enjoyed his character and the moments when he "turned", so to me, that was really good.

Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.


And then for those that stayed for all the scenes during the credit roll...
Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.

As others have said, Gunn has said publicly (at conventions, on FB, etc) that the chrysalis in The Collector's place was definitely not Adam Warlock.  I thought he was as well after vol. 1 a few years back, but I guess this is a topic that Gunn has heard a lot from the first film (especially when he said there's an easter egg no one had noticed yet) and has said it definitely wasn't Warlock.

FWIW, though, Gunn has also, IIRC, said that Warlock was originally part of the plan for GotG vol. 2 at an early stage but was cut in order to put far more focus on Peter and his family situation.  That, IMO, is an impeccably perfect decision.  I wonder, though, if he had inserted Warlock it could've been easy to spring from the chrysalis in vol. 1 (though he could've kept it as what the gold people send after the crew ASAP in the film, meaning she made Warlock almost immediately and sent it out to get the guardians)
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: perc2100 on May 09, 2017, 02:40:59 PM
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For the sake of balance in this thread, and to be a bit of a Debbie Downer, I was not a fan of the film at all. I've seen it twice now and the first watch was OK, even enjoyable at times. But the second viewing was a bore. There is no progression of the characters. The father/son relationship is pretty woeful. The CGI is not up to scratch. The action feels lacklustre especially the damp squib of a finale. The "will-they-won't-they" of Peter and Gamora is touched upon once and then forgotten. I never felt Ego was an all powerful villain either. My biggets gripe is the soundtrack - boring, dull and hardly well-known songs. Also it feels as if they are choosing the songs before even shooting the film now.
I did like Mantis and Nebula. Also good to see Rocket get a more interesting storyline. Nice to see Rooker break out of a secondary character role and become almost a lead guy. And of course Baby Groot steals every scene (which is fun, but also papers over several big cracks in the overall film).

Can't see me ever watching this film again. A complete misstep.

IDK; to say there is no progression of characters might be a gross misreading of the film.  I think there was little/no character development in the original, short of Drax finally getting his revenge.  I think in vol. 2 as far as character development:
* Peter finds the dad he's been searching for.  Realizes his dad is an egotistical a-hole who wants to rule the galaxy.  Realizes Yondu was his REAL dad bringing him up, and the guardians are the only family he ever needs.  Comes to peace with all of that
* Nebula has extreme sibling rivalry (which was on display in vol. 1).  She finally confronts Gamora about it: how she always wanted a sister.  Gamora realized she blew off her half-sister in a bad way: always concentrating about surviving to the next day.  Gamora realizes she's wrong, and embraces her sister.  Nebula looked like she wasn't 100% over it, but gave her sister a sort-of hug back signaling she understands and is working on it.
* Drax has no more legit family and has found the guardians are it.  I think vol. 2 features him realizing/accepting that he is a bit of a father-figure to the rest of his familial group (the shot of him holding Groot as Groot falls asleep at the very end during the funeral was sooooo cute).  I don't know if he took a sexual-esque liking to Mantis, but it definitely seemed as if he took a mentor-type role model  role for her.  All while dealing with his own sense of emotions.  Remember in vol. 1 he was pretty much 100% ALL about revenge; vol. 2 feels more like a bit of "ok now that that's over, now what?"  He learning his feelings, laughing a lot, trying to find his emotional place in the galaxy (and group).  By the end, him tenderly holding Groot + telling Mantis "you are (beautiful) too.  On the inside" felt like THE first time we've seen him kind of let someone else into his head-space in a positive way.
* Rocket feels he's a one-of-a-kind, no one else like me entity.  He has a "me against the world" vibe about him and Groot has seemed to be the only one he trusts to share emotions with.  When he was trapped with Yondu by the Ravagers Yondu snapped and told Rocket he was no different than himself (implying maybe no different than any of us finding our way in the universe).  Rocket not only bonded with Yondu, but at the end realized (seemingly) it was OK to let people in: that he wasn't some freak out on his own, but COULD rely on his familial unit.
* Yondu FINALLY came to the realization the he IS Peter's dad.  He had 'favored' Quill because he loved him as a son and would've done anything for him: helped him survive, taught him 'the ropes,' tried to keep him out of danger.  He made the ultimate sacrifice any parent would make for their child, sacrificing his life to save his son's.  He beautifully got to say his goodbyes to his son.
* even Mantis, whom we barely know, went from a weird, pseudo-slave of Ego's to a free person.  I think she too started developing her emotions sharply.

This film painted ALL of the good-guy characters in such a way in vol 2 that they were all the antithesis to Ego: they were the empathy to ego.  They were all developing their strong familial bonds together, putting each other over the self.  They were the opposite of Ego from a base-level good v bad type way but also from a psychological symbolic way.  Ego was All about himself and his own interests while the guardians (ALL of them) were clearly learning and growing to be there to help each other.

I won't argue personal quibbles with plot, pacing, maybe not like the music or whatnot (FWIW James said not only did the pick the songs before shooting, he would shoot scenes with the particular songs playing so the actors can find the tempo/pacing of songs to make them coordinated perfectly).  Opinions and feelings are all personal and I can get all that.  But I think to insinuate that there is no progression of the characters is flat-out false.  Maybe you didn't like the progression of the characters, maybe you thought the 2+ hour daddy issues that ran RAMPANT throughout the film was a misstep or boring.  But character arc ran aplenty in this film
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: eek on May 09, 2017, 02:49:35 PM
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IDK; to say there is no progression of characters might be a gross misreading of the film.  I think there was little/no character development in the original, short of Drax finally getting his revenge.  I think in vol. 2 as far as character development:
* Peter finds the dad he's been searching for.  Realizes his dad is an egotistical a-hole who wants to rule the galaxy.  Realizes Yondu was his REAL dad bringing him up, and the guardians are the only family he ever needs.  Comes to peace with all of that
* Nebula has extreme sibling rivalry (which was on display in vol. 1).  She finally confronts Gamora about it: how she always wanted a sister.  Gamora realized she blew off her half-sister in a bad way: always concentrating about surviving to the next day.  Gamora realizes she's wrong, and embraces her sister.  Nebula looked like she wasn't 100% over it, but gave her sister a sort-of hug back signaling she understands and is working on it.
* Drax has no more legit family and has found the guardians are it.  I think vol. 2 features him realizing/accepting that he is a bit of a father-figure to the rest of his familial group (the shot of him holding Groot as Groot falls asleep at the very end during the funeral was sooooo cute).  I don't know if he took a sexual-esque liking to Mantis, but it definitely seemed as if he took a mentor-type role model  role for her.  All while dealing with his own sense of emotions.  Remember in vol. 1 he was pretty much 100% ALL about revenge; vol. 2 feels more like a bit of "ok now that that's over, now what?"  He learning his feelings, laughing a lot, trying to find his emotional place in the galaxy (and group).  By the end, him tenderly holding Groot + telling Mantis "you are (beautiful) too.  On the inside" felt like THE first time we've seen him kind of let someone else into his head-space in a positive way.
* Rocket feels he's a one-of-a-kind, no one else like me entity.  He has a "me against the world" vibe about him and Groot has seemed to be the only one he trusts to share emotions with.  When he was trapped with Yondu by the Ravagers Yondu snapped and told Rocket he was no different than himself (implying maybe no different than any of us finding our way in the universe).  Rocket not only bonded with Yondu, but at the end realized (seemingly) it was OK to let people in: that he wasn't some freak out on his own, but COULD rely on his familial unit.
* Yondu FINALLY came to the realization the he IS Peter's dad.  He had 'favored' Quill because he loved him as a son and would've done anything for him: helped him survive, taught him 'the ropes,' tried to keep him out of danger.  He made the ultimate sacrifice any parent would make for their child, sacrificing his life to save his son's.  He beautifully got to say his goodbyes to his son.
* even Mantis, whom we barely know, went from a weird, pseudo-slave of Ego's to a free person.  I think she too started developing her emotions sharply.

This film painted ALL of the good-guy characters in such a way in vol 2 that they were all the antithesis to Ego: they were the empathy to ego.  They were all developing their strong familial bonds together, putting each other over the self.  They were the opposite of Ego from a base-level good v bad type way but also from a psychological symbolic way.  Ego was All about himself and his own interests while the guardians (ALL of them) were clearly learning and growing to be there to help each other.

I won't argue personal quibbles with plot, pacing, maybe not like the music or whatnot (FWIW James said not only did the pick the songs before shooting, he would shoot scenes with the particular songs playing so the actors can find the tempo/pacing of songs to make them coordinated perfectly).  Opinions and feelings are all personal and I can get all that.  But I think to insinuate that there is no progression of the characters is flat-out false.  Maybe you didn't like the progression of the characters, maybe you thought the 2+ hour daddy issues that ran RAMPANT throughout the film was a misstep or boring.  But character arc ran aplenty in this film

Great breakdown. You put into words how I felt about Vol 2.
It was really more of a continuation and expansion of the events of Vol 1; definitely not a standalone sequel.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: perc2100 on May 09, 2017, 03:06:11 PM
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Great breakdown. You put into words how I felt about Vol 2.
It was really more of a continuation and expansion of the events of Vol 1; definitely not a standalone sequel.
I saw both films at a double feature last Thursday, and then over the weekend watched vol 1 again with my wife.  In comparison I would almost think vol 1 feels kind of meh in comparison as far lack-of-character arcs/development.  Especially with the main characters, it feels like the only one who grew as a character was Drax realizing there might be more to life than murderous revenge!  There was a very broad "maybe we're better together than apart" vibe but not a lot.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE vol 1 (and really really like vol 2).  I think vol 1 was maybe more broad and fun while vol 2 was a lot heavier and has a TON of depth to it.  Even looking at Ego vs Guardians on a base-level feels like it has more depth than anything in vol 1, but breaking down the more subtle symbolizims of ego v empathy and this film is PACKED with development and character beats!
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: perc2100 on May 09, 2017, 03:33:51 PM
I've already made my feelings known about the film in explicitly areas of the plot, but here are a few general, broad thoughts:
* BRILLIANT soundtrack.  I love the symmetry of kicking this off with 'Brandy' and the ego vs empathy from an emotional standpoint, and ending with "Father and Son" where the characters are dealing with the immediate aftermath of Ego vs Guardians (who were empathetic to each other which is why they fought & beat the Ego's ego)
* Gunn's use of "Father and Son" slays me.  I knew of this song as a teenager and related to the 'son' aspect; as a father of two sons now I see that song in a different light.  How Gunn used it in both its literal sense AND symbolic sense to encompass the different Guardians was brilliant.  Watching the crew looking out the window at the Ravager Funeral with the ending lines "Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.  I know: I have to go" is awesome.
* GotG vol. 2 is one of the uber rare films that has both brilliant opening titles sequence AND closing credits.  Many movies have one or the other, but few have both. 
* I kind of love how Gunn pandered to the fans right off the bat: opening in space with dancing Toddler Groot.  And not much longer he dropped Howard the Duck back in.
* I REALLY love how we did indeed see Ego the living PLANET.  We got a full-on planet with eyes, mouth, expressions, etc.  I wasn't sure Gunn would go there, but was ecstatic he did
* When I knew Ego was the big bad guy, I was so bummed out.  I knew he would be the big bad guy almost immediately, when he was planting weird comic plants in Missouri: I just knew then he was a bad guy.  I hated how charming he was with Peter first bringing him to the planet, playing ball with Peter, etc.  I loved it all, but was bummed knowing it was only a matter of time (late 2nd/early 3rd act) that it was revealed Ego was evil
* Rocket FINALLY got his Ravager cyber-eye he wanted in vol. 1.  I laughed really loud when Groot brought that, knowing Rocket finally got his 'joke' but at a bad time to enjoy it
* Yondu stole every frame of this movie.  Michael Rooker has been a fave. of mine is HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER and it was excited to see him flex his emotional dramatic chops.  I wouldn't have been nearly as sad if Yondu of vol. 1 died vs where the character Yondu was by the end of vol 2.  He deserves any acclaim he gets for this role.
* on the film side I'm really sad Mr. Rooker/Yondu has exited the MCU
* Sean Gunn also should be honorable mention here.  He was better than I thought he could be, and his acting chops surprised me.  I really look forward to more Kraglin in vol 3
* Ayesha and her people felt a little shoe-horned in.  I get they're integral to setting everything plot-wise into motion but they all feel like part of a draft that didn't make it to the finished product.  It seems as if their story will be expanded upon on vol. 3 a bit but IMO it's fairly obvious that Adam Warlock was meant to be a big player in vol 3 but was dropped to focus on the familial aspects.  This was a great narrative decision, but Ayesha feels pretty extraneous to the important stuff in the story.  It's not a deal break, nor does it bug me a lot: but it does bug me a little
* Ego might be my favorite one-off MCU bad guy, but Kurt Russell is so awesome he's often a favorite part of anything he's in.  Russell was dead-on perfect casting for Ego w/his brilliant mix of swagger & charm.  Many actors have one or the other, but few have both in spades like Russell
* vol 1&2 are great back-to-back.  I watched both AVENGERS film back-to-back when ULTRON opened, and I got restless w/AVENGERS.  The stuff I liked was fun, but the parts that don't quite work were a real drag: same with ULTRON.  GotG 1 & 2, though, work really well in tandem together and there are some fun callbacks to vol 1 (like the nicknack Yondu took in vol1 popping up in vol2, or the cyber-eye bit)
* I personally really enjoy that after how weird GotG vol 1 was, Gunn was confident picking up the weirdness right where we left off.  Where people might've feel like WTF when it came to Nowhere the giant floating head planet, I suspect most won't bat an eye when Ego the planet has Kurt Russell's face emblazoned on it.  I love that Gunn brought us to a point where nothing to GotG vol 2 felt too out there
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Chris on May 12, 2017, 04:35:48 PM
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I saw it last night as part of the double feature - I expected a fun movie, so I enjoyed it.

I do think young Kurt Russell was more creepy than anything else...I know he looked like that when he was young, but it was unnerving.

It was the feathered hair.  :)
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Emerald_Mom on May 12, 2017, 04:59:28 PM
I saw it earlier this week... I enjoyed it but, it wasn't as good (IMO) as the 1st one....
And it is creepy to have seen a young Kurt Russell....unfortunately, I'm old enough to remember what he looked like in his ( and my  ::) )younger days.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Michaelnaut on May 12, 2017, 07:24:30 PM
Just came back from seeing it again (this time Imax 3D) and I must say that I liked it better the second time around.  The sound when seeing it in this format was fantastic and stuff just popped off the screen (not just cause it was 3D either).

One weird thing tho was that the actual picture shown was, how to explain it, wasn't the whole picture.  Like when I saw it on a non-3D screen, the scene shown on it seemed pulled out wider, where the movie on Imax looked like it was a closer shot...if that makes sense...weird.

But I liked it...the music sounded better...was able to catch a couple more things I missed...I liked it...might see it again :)
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Chris on May 12, 2017, 07:32:10 PM
I'm probably the most neutral review.  I liked it, it was fun, I was entertained.  It also didn't wow me.  I'll enjoy it again on video, but I'm not jumping to see it again.

The beige/vanilla/bland review is brought to you by the letter K.

Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Emerald_Mom on May 12, 2017, 07:48:37 PM
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I'm probably the most neutral review.  I liked it, it was fun, I was entertained.  It also didn't wow me.  I'll enjoy it again on video, but I'm not jumping to see it again.

The beige/vanilla/bland review is brought to you by the letter K.
This!!!
Sums up perfectly how I felt about it!
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: FBS on May 12, 2017, 11:27:06 PM
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Just came back from seeing it again (this time Imax 3D) and I must say that I liked it better the second time around.  The sound when seeing it in this format was fantastic and stuff just popped off the screen (not just cause it was 3D either).

One weird thing tho was that the actual picture shown was, how to explain it, wasn't the whole picture.  Like when I saw it on a non-3D screen, the scene shown on it seemed pulled out wider, where the movie on Imax looked like it was a closer shot...if that makes sense...weird.

But I liked it...the music sounded better...was able to catch a couple more things I missed...I liked it...might see it again :)
Sounds like the cinema was projecting it wrong.
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Chris on May 13, 2017, 09:33:06 AM
My 2 word review: Hassel Hoff.  :)

Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: jimy on May 13, 2017, 10:52:52 AM
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My 2 word review: Hassel Hoff.  :)

Have to admit that he was a good addition to the film, but have you all seen his latest ad campaign in other part of the country (I can't take any more Hoff):

The Hoff Becomes Mayor of Funner, California in New Campaign for Harrah's Resort
Read more at http://www.thedenveregotist.com/news/national/2017/may/11/hoff-becomes-mayor-funner-california-new-campaign-harrahs-resort#w5VSzp3wyXzhszOj.99
David Hasselhoff has been named the first mayor of Funner, California - a real place located between LA and San Diego. Funner represents a complete rebranding for Harrah's Resort SoCal, and is now an actual destination you can visit. Brand TV spots will follow, but this teaser launch shows how fun is made funner when your town is led by The Hoff. Agency: IDEA, San Diego.
Read more at http://www.thedenveregotist.com/news/national/2017/may/11/hoff-becomes-mayor-funner-california-new-campaign-harrahs-resort#w5VSzp3wyXzhszOj.99
 
Title: Re: Guardians of the Galaxy -Vol 2 **Spoilers**
Post by: Chris on May 13, 2017, 12:26:35 PM
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Have to admit that he was a good addition to the film, but have you all seen his latest ad campaign in other part of the country (I can't take any more Hoff):

The Hoff Becomes Mayor of Funner, California in New Campaign for Harrah's Resort
Read more at http://www.thedenveregotist.com/news/national/2017/may/11/hoff-becomes-mayor-funner-california-new-campaign-harrahs-resort#w5VSzp3wyXzhszOj.99
David Hasselhoff has been named the first mayor of Funner, California - a real place located between LA and San Diego. Funner represents a complete rebranding for Harrah's Resort SoCal, and is now an actual destination you can visit. Brand TV spots will follow, but this teaser launch shows how fun is made funner when your town is led by The Hoff. Agency: IDEA, San Diego.
Read more at http://www.thedenveregotist.com/news/national/2017/may/11/hoff-becomes-mayor-funner-california-new-campaign-harrahs-resort#w5VSzp3wyXzhszOj.99


Thankfully I had not heard about that, but I try to avoid as much non)nerd related news as possible.   :)

The Hoff would have irritated me in any other Marvel movie, but since it was guardians, I enjoyed it.  Deadpool would probably get a pass from me as well.  :)