---
title: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2"
critics_score: 65
critics_reviews: 24
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017): what the critics said

Critics' score 65 from 24 reviews: 16 positive, 3 mixed, 5 negative.

Most critics like it, and most of them like it a little less than the first film. The praise gathers around the characters rather than the plot: the crew are given interior lives, the family material about fathers and siblings carries real feeling, and the jokes mostly land. Baby Groot, Rocket and Drax are singled out repeatedly, as is the soundtrack, and James Gunn is credited with keeping the focus on his ensemble while the scale grows.

The reservations are consistent even among admirers. The plot is thin, the second act sags, the running time is long and several of the jokes come round twice. The spread is wide. British reviews are warm, with the Guardian the coolest of them, finding the whole thing amiable but pointless. The sharpest dissent comes from a bloc of American outlets, among them the Hollywood Reporter, Variety and the New York Times, which find the film strained, the bickering grating and the charm of the original mislaid. The sentiment divides them most: earned for some, forced for others.

## Empire — Chris Hewitt

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 April 2017. 

Gunn has done it again, crafting a sequel that keeps the focus on the characters while adding genuine emotion beneath the sass. It is not quite as fresh as the original but remains a triumph.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/guardians-galaxy-vol-2-review/)

## Evening Standard — Matthew Norman

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 November 2017. 

The sequel adds emotional heft and psychological conflicts while preserving the ironic wit, making the emotional elements feel natural without cheap sentimentality. It is every inch an equal to the original despite some pacing slackening.

[Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-film-review-coalition-of-chaos-a3680671.html)

## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 2 May 2017. 

The critic praises the film for escalating action scale and inventive sequences while delivering the finest sustained emotional storytelling in a Marvel production through its family themes. Some repetitive jokes and cutesy elements undermine the irreverent tone at times.

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2/)

## The Independent

Rating 4/5. 26 April 2017. 

The sequel gives even the most outlandish characters an interior life and blends humour, action and soul-searching almost perfectly. It risks turning overly sentimental in the final reel.

[Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-review-marvel-ego-chris-pratt-starlord-baby-groot-kurt-russell-a7698641.html)

## The Telegraph — Robbie Collin

Rating 4/5. 28 April 2017. 

The playful space sequel looks like an explosion in a nursery school craft cupboard and feels like another yarn from the comic-book annals.

[Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2017/04/24/guardians-galaxy-vol-2-review/)

## Screen Daily

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 24 April 2017. 

The critic calls it a lively and unabashedly sentimental sequel that turns into a family affair, with dynamic visuals, emotional depth in character arcs involving fathers and siblings, and genuine pathos beneath the sarcasm, though it can feel overstuffed.

[Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-review/5116950.article)

## Sight and Sound — Kim Newman

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 27 April 2017. 

The critic finds it an enjoyably nostalgic sequel with fun elements, witty soundtrack choices and engaging characters like Mantis, but notes the novelty is wearing thin with repetitive jokes and small personal stories that hamper the sense of infinite wonder.

[Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/guardians-galaxy-vol-2-review-small-stories-from-big-universe)

## The Times — Kate Muir

Rating ★★★★☆. 28 April 2017. 

It recycles the successful formula of the first film with witty ribbing between the crew and an inane musical background to the intergalactic action.

[Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-hd73z6mhj)

## Total Film — Lauren O'Callaghan

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 24 April 2017. 

The film delivers action, humour and strong character moments with Baby Groot stealing scenes, but struggles to recapture the original's magic due to forced emotions and obvious one-liners. It remains a damn good movie that fans will enjoy.

[Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-review/)

## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw

Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 24 April 2017. 

The sequel is amiable and goofy with plenty of comedy and cartoony action, but suffers from a weird air of pointlessness and plotlessness.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/apr/24/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-film-review-chris-pratt-baby-groot-vin-diesel)

## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2017. 

The magic of the first film has taken a serious hit due to prosperity and anxiety, with irreverence becoming dogma. It is not without successful elements but tries too hard to repeat the original's success.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-guardians-of-the-galaxy-2-review-20170503-story.html)

## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 24 April 2017. 

The critic finds the sequel less charming than the first, with the misfit characters now grating and bickering unamusingly while the action feels rote and been-there-done-that. The father-son scenes between Chris Pratt and Kurt Russell stand out as the best and most meaningful.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/guardians-galaxy-vol-2-review-996282/)

## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 8 May 2017. 

The film starts with silliness and pep but splutters when it treats the quest for meaning seriously, leading to a noisy climax. The genial balance of the first film has been mislaid.

[Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/15/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-and-chuck-reviews)

## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 4 May 2017. 

The sequel has the digital effects and self-aware humor of the first but feels strained as if everyone is trying too hard. It has visual attractions but lacks a resonant origin story and narrative depth.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/04/movies/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2-review-chris-pratt.html)

## Variety — Owen Gleiberman

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 24 April 2017. 

It is a witty and extravagant followup but works harder for less fun than the first film. The director is trying too hard, making it a smaller deal despite being an adventure worth taking.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-review-chris-pratt-1202032231/)

## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape

Rating 5/5. 24 April 2017. 

The film is a masterclass in storytelling that balances irreverent fun with poignant human themes and an emotional core. Gunn excels at developing well-rounded characters with nuanced arcs for the full ensemble.

[Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-review/)

## Deadline — Pete Hammond

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 24 April 2017. 

The critic praises the film for its entertaining cast and characters, the best in any Marvel movie, noting it maintains the charm despite being bigger, and highlights the fun soundtrack and post-credits scenes. He credits James Gunn for preserving the likability and wit while expanding the scope, singling out Baby Groot, Rocket, Drax, and the eclectic soundtrack.

[Read the review](https://deadline.com/2017/04/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-review-chris-pratt-marvel-sequel-video-1202076627/)

## Collider — Haleigh Foutch

Rating B+. 4 May 2017. 

The critic finds the film uproariously funny with strong emotional depth in its family themes and character arcs, but notes it falls short of the original's freshness and has some tonal imbalances.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2-review/)

## Digital Spy — Hugh Armitage

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 April 2017. 

The critic affirms that Gunn delivers again with deeper emotional arcs for the large cast and balanced action-comedy, though notes a flabby second act and excessive length. Praises the performances and character development.

[Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a826461/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-review/)

## /Film — Jack Giroux

Rating 8/10. 5 May 2017. 

Gunn prioritizes character and ensemble moments over a light plot, delivering emotional depth in relationships like those between Gamora and Nebula or involving Yondu. The film bursts with personality and offers satisfying growth for its heroes.

[Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/550777/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-review/)

## Den of Geek — Don Kaye

Rating 4 out of 5. 4 May 2017. 

The critic says it succeeds as a character piece with satisfying arcs for the team, but notes a slender plot and meandering second act. Praises the added depth to characters and the moving conclusion.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-review/)

## The Wrap

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 4 May 2017. 

The review describes the sequel as enjoyable filler for fans, with engaging banter and emotional moments among the characters, but criticizes it for not advancing the story meaningfully or matching the first film's freshness. It singles out the interplay between the heroes and the charm of baby Groot for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-review-mcu-marvel-chris-pratt/)

## The Ringer — K. Austin Collins

Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 5 May 2017. 

The critic calls the film an undeniable mess overlong and complex with too many daddy issues, but praises its endearing sweet tone, humor in action set pieces, and willingness to be corny.

[Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2017/05/05/pop-culture/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-review-8def2fb7130f)

## Polygon — Susana Polo

Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 24 April 2017. 

The critic says the film fails to expand on its premise or take characters anywhere unexpected, making it just more of the same, but praises its stunning visuals, clever action, and ability to still move the viewer emotionally.

[Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/2017/4/24/15412816/review-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-marvel)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.md