‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ delivers far-out sugar rush

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While becoming one of the most successful and influential entertainment brands in Hollywood, the movies of Marvel Studios earned some knocks. As an interlocking series, the moviesb music and cinematography tend to be drab and samey, with visually unadventurous direction and forgettable soundtracks.

A notable exception is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Like its predecessor from 2014, the goofball space opera splashes wild color schemes across the universe, accompanied by pop hits from 1970s and ’80s. Marvel lets writer/director James Gunn run riot with imagination and humor without straying too far from the studiosb house style.

Beginning with a delightful opening title sequence, Guardians Vol. 2 makes comedy, character beats and complicated set pieces its priority, putting plot in the back seat. Given the lovable rogues and such an expansive toybox to play with, the approach seems irresistible. But running more than two hours, Guardians Vol. 2 can feel like too much fun for its own good, like eating nothing but candy for dinner.

Shortly after the events of the first film, Earth-born Peter bStar-Lordb Quill (Chris Pratt) still adjusts to his role leading a band of misfits. Coolly efficient Gamora (Zoe Saldana) deflects Peterbs casual flirtations. Literal-minded Drax (Dave Bautista) roars with laughter while rushing into danger. Genetically-altered raccoon Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) competes fiercely with Peter, constantly undermining him. And plant-creature Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), following his sacrifice in the last film, has been reborn as a tough but adorable toddler.

After outraging an imperious race called The Sovereign, the Guardians flee for their lives. A shaggy spacefarer called Ego (Kurt Russell) comes to their rescue and claims to have the key to Peterbs mysterious heritage. With his empathic assistant Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Ego invites Peter and company to his home planet b where it turns out he may actually be the planet. Russell superbly fits the dynamic, conveying grounded charm whether hebs recounting the origins of the universe or bonding with Peter over the lyrics to bBrandy (Youbre a Fine Girl).b

Some franchises hammer home the importance of family (*cough* Fast and Furious), paying lip service to wholesome values to justify for hours of mindless destruction. Between laser blasts, Guardians Vol. 2 provides a persistent through-line about parenting, especially fatherhood. Peter wavers between two father figures, Ego and Yondu (Michael Rooker), the space-pirate who raised him. Gamorabs murderous rivalry with her sister Nebula (Karen Gillan) stems from their abusive upbringing. And Rocketbs hilarious lessons to Baby Groot alternate between nurturing calm and sputtering impatience.

Speaking of that duo, the talking raccoon and tree carry as much emotional weight as the live actors while functioning as mischievous, real-world versions of slapstick Looney Tunes heroes. When Rocket repeatedly ambushes a group of bad guys, itbs like hebs outwitting a platoon of Elmer Fudds. Similarly, when The Sovereign attacks the Guardians with remote-piloted drone ships, Gunn deliberately evokes the arcade games of past generations. Guardians Vol. 2 feels like a movie, cartoon, video game and compilation album all rolled into one.

The side effect of the filmbs playful aimlessness is that most of the characters donbt develop or barcb very much, while some of Gunnbs favorite jokes grow repetitive b his script could have used some judicious editing. Plus, the songs of Peterbs late motherbs bAwesome Mixb tape become a bit of a crutch, adding pathos or ironic wit that the scenes canbt carry on their own.

Most Marvel movies end with at least one closing credits scene to crack a final joke or to set up another film. Guardians Vol. 2 delivers so many stingers, Gunn is clearly using the gimmick while making fun of it. Guardians Vol. 2 seems to draw influence from the world-building of Star Wars as well as the irreverence of Space Balls. It just puts a few too many balls in the air.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. 3 stars. Directed by James Gunn. Stars Chris Pratt, Kurt Russell. Rated PG-13. Opens May 5. At area theaters.

And: For analysis of the Guardians of the Galaxybs origins and more of the great comic book stories of yesterday and today, listen to the Comics Canon podcast at comicscanon.com, hosted by Curt Holman and Kevin Moreau.