I completely understand how important Vol I is (which I’ve come around on a lot recently) in terms of injecting the MCU with some much needed irreverence and a different type of hero/team-up story - but I will always be a Volume Two guy. It just gets me. 

I laugh SO much throughout, am moved by a lot of moments, and (again) cried twice at the ending. Not to mention the beautiful cosmic production design and visual effects.  

It’s just like this beautiful cocktail of humor, earnestness disguised as irony, and heart. A whole lot of heart. It’s so believable these weird outcast aliens, humanoids, half-celestials, cyborgs, and lab experiments really do care about each other - and really do have a tough time trusting others. Through trauma, whether it be physical or emotional. 

Plus, without any main character introductions, backstory, or exposition, we can jump right into the ship with this lovable team and get going - speaking of, this has to have the best opening credit sequence of any MCU movie right?

I think the anchors of this movie rest in a few things:

First being the dialogue/one-liners James Gunn wrote for Drax - and how genius Dave Bautista’s comedic timing is for every one of them. He never misses. His Uber-confidence mixed with warped (from a certain point of few) social norms bristles with hilarity, social commentary, and either ends with visible confusion or his iconic gut-busting laugh.

Second - Yandu’s arc. Everyone knows somebody like this. And wants them to succeed because you know they’re trying, they’re just problematic, or a tough guy or unloved. I think he’s a great mold for how we see the Guardians as a whole - complicated, troublesome, tough exterior, and deep down a longing to love and do good. His role in the 3rd act makes me cry. Every time. 

Lastly - I just love how, after the final battle, we linger with these characters longer than we would in a conventional MCU movie. I think it shows great respect for these human (so to speak) moments and shows where Gunn’s priorities lie - in the characters more than the progression of the larger Infinity Saga narrative. Which I’m grateful doesn’t suffocate this script.

This movie holds a really special place in my heart and I’m super happy it exists. Especially in a time (like recently) where real life is kinda tough. 

I had kettle corn and Ozark water. Watched all over the place - phone and tv on Disney+

Below are some of my favorite lines and moments. 
-🚨 includes spoilers 🚨-
•
Quill: It's just, swords were your thing and guns were mine. But I guess we're both doing guns now. I just didn't know that.
•
Drax: The beast's hide is too thick to be pierced from the outside. I must cut through it from the inside. 
Gamora: Huh?... No, no! 
*Drax holds up his two swords and maniacally laughs as he runs towards said beast*
Gamora: Drax, wait a minute! DRAX!
*Drax leaps into mouth of monster while belting out a battlecry lol*
•
Drax: I have famously large turds 
•
Spaceships for emergency “or for fun”
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Drax bubble wrapping himself and shooting at their enemies out the back of the spaceship while tethered - again, maniacally laughing. 
•
Drax: She just told everyone your deepest darkest secret!!
Quill: Dude, I think you’re overreacting a bit.
Drax: You must be so embarrassed!!! 
•
The way Mantis talks. Just Mantis in general, really, she’s so great. 
•
Random Ravager: “Can’t even buy a pair of boots with 25 units!”
•
Drax: If he's a planet, how could he make a baby with your mother? He would smush her! 
Quill: I don't need to hear how my parents... 
Drax: Why? My father would tell the story of impregnating my mother every winter solstice. 
Quill: That's disgusting. 
Drax: It was beautiful. You earthers have hang-ups. 
•
Drax: How did you get to this weird dumb planet?
Mantis: Ego found me in a larva state. Orphaned on my home world. He raised me by hand and kept me as his own.
Drax: So you’re a pet?
Mantis: I suppose.
Drax: People usually want cute pets. Why would he go on such a hideous one?
Mantis: I am hideous?
Drax: You are horrifying to look at. But that’s a good thing.
Mantis: Oh?
Drax: When you’re ugly and someone loves you, you know they love you for who you are. Beautiful people never know who to trust.
Mantis: Well, then I am certainly grateful to be ugly!
•
Gamora: What’s going on?
Mantis: *smiling* I’m learning many things, like I’m a pet and ugly. 
•
Rocket and Yandu’s escape from the mutiny. 
•
Anything with Taserface lol
•
The way Mantis says “I should have told you earlier. I an stupid. You’re in danger. 
•
Kraglin, Yandu, Rocket, and Groot getting buggy-eyed portal hopping.
•
Love the reunion of the misfits when Yandu and co. land on ego. Another great scene about friendship. 
•
The needle drop of Silver’s “Wham Bam” when the Sovereign attack the Guardians on Ego
•
The needle drop of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” when Quill begins to pummel Ego. 
•
Yandu: “I’m Mary Poppins, yo!!!”
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The best scene in all the galaxy
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*chunk of rock slams into Mantis’ head*
Drax: Mantis, look out!
•
Yandu: “He may have been your father, but he wasn’t your Daddy” 😭😢
•
Kraglin giving Quill a Zune lol 
•
The unspoken thing 
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The colors of Ogord presiding over Yandu’s grave 😭😭
•
Mantis: It’s beautiful 
Drax: And so are you. On the inside.