GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2

(2017) Heroes-for-hire after the events of the first film, the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel opens up with Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) - aka Star Lord - and his motley band of friends protecting some very important batteries, in a really cool opening title sequence that completely plays on the sardonic humor the first film set up. Sadly, Rocket (Bradley Cooper), being one bitter and feisty raccoon, can't stop himself from a little thievery on the way out, leading to a battle where the Guardians are saved by none other than ... Peter's dad? The film is essentially Peter dealing with his roots and daddy issues, once meeting Ego (Kurt Russell) and learning his father is actually a god who wants to teach Peter the total capacity of the powers he holds. But something is decidedly rotten on the planet of Ego, and Gamora (Zoe Saldana) has her spidey-sense a-tingling,even as she has her own issues in dealing with a sister (Karen Gillan) determined to kill ... while Yondu (Michael Rooker), still trying to fit in with his old brethren, has his own crew mutiny on him, and - egad - has to rely on none other than Rocket and Baby Groot to fix the problem! There is a lot - yet not a lot - going on in this sequel, at least until the final battle sequence, but while some very funny humor sprouting up throughout the film (and Baby Groot; man, I want me a Baby Groot) kept reminding me of how much I loved the first one (comparing it, in a review, to Star Wars in its depiction of a crew of misfit strangers coming together to save the galaxy), I couldn't pour my heart into Vol. 2 the way I did for part one. For me the whole Ego storyline fell flat - felt like bad/weak writing, in particular because its very set-up told you precisely how things were going to go; would rather have seen more of the story (and golden people) that opened the film, as well as played out a bit more in the teaser shown during the credits; those regal beings were far more interesting than Ego and his beautiful, bland world any day. In no way did I hate this sequel; everything outside the Ego storyline felt like old (and funny) times with good friends. Everything else - until the Guardians were reunited for the final battle, at least - felt like the planet Ego itself: pretty, but lacking life. Well, the soundtrack is amazeballs, as in the first film! (rated PG-13)  6.5/10 stars