If you want a movie filled with action, comedy and superheroes that allows you to truly sit back and have a good laugh, then I’ve got just the film for you: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. If you want a movie filled with action, comedy and superheroes that allows you to truly sit back and have a good laugh, then I’ve got just the film for you: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Guardians 2, as it is generally called, provides a perfect choice those who enjoyed the first film or anyone who just loves movies that keep you entertained and laughing. As a sequel, this picture definitely doesn’t disappoint, as so many others have over the years. In fact, this second round of the story keeps us as engaged as the original, if not more. One great element of this film is that it includes not only our favorite superheroes from the first film, but it also brings in even more famous faces to keep it interesting.

The film again revolves around the main character, Star-Lord, played by Chris Pratt, who is still piloting space vehicles wonderfully – even if his skills are constantly questioned by raccoon-in-denial, Rocket Raccoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper. Everyone’s favorite large tree hero, Groot, voiced by Vin Diesel, exists in this film in a much smaller and more adorable form, but he still tries to fight alongside his group. However, as a mere sapling of his former self, he is treated like the baby of the group. Of course, the beautiful Gamora, played by Zoe Saldana, is back and again fights with the strength of a hundred bulky men. Last but certainly not least is the hilarious Drax the Destroyer, played by Dave Bautista, who adds some surprisingly serious commentary at times in this film.

Picking up where the last film finished where the Guardians officially became the superhero group they were destined to become, the second movie goes deeper into each Guardian’s past. Beginning with Star-Lord, each character is examined more closely, and this allows us to connect with a certain amount of their past. This definitely adds to the storyline of this movie. From Gamora and her “still evil yet controlled” sister reconciling to Star-Lord recalling his mother through her favorite music, we learn more about these interesting characters.  We even get to see Rocket show emotion that is not his typical annoying and condescending self.

Moving on from the characters to the plot, this film has some interesting elements. While all of the characters’ pasts are looked into, it is, of course, Star-Lord whom we learn the most about in this story. Star-Lord finally meets his biological father after many years. The man, Ego, saves the Guardians after Rocket steals from the high priestess Ayesha of the planet Debicki, and she orders them to be captured and imprisoned. Once Ego tells Star-Lord he is his father, the younger male wants proof. To prove to his son that he isn’t lying, he takes Gamora, Drax, and his son to his own planet and tells Star-Lord the real story of his mother and Ego’s love.

He even goes into why he had to leave her and how he is a celestial or godlike-being whose powers have been gifted to Star-Lord though his genes. This all seems to being going well as their father/son relationship progresses, but it turns out that Ego wants work together with Star-Lord, his only child with powers like his own, for nefarious reasons. This fact and the fact that Ego only wants to use Star-Lord for his powers pushes Star-Lord and the Guardians into a fight against Ego and the destruction of the planet, Ego’s real form and core, where Star-Lord finds his true family relations.

Being a person who doesn’t usually care for superhero movies — unless they are anime — I was pleasantly surprised by everything in this movie. From the hilarity to its depiction of strong familial relationships, this film was solid. I give this movie 4.5 out of 5 stars, which is a resounding 90%. Just make sure no kiddies are watching this with you, as it is not always kid-friendly.