As fun as the first teaser trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was, it was missing a key component (at least until the very end): Baby Groot. The tree-like monster was reduced to a sapling after sacrificing himself to save his friends in the first GotG film, and he’s toddler-sized for the sequel.
Groot was the breakout star of the surprisingly successful Marvel film and looks as if he’ll steal the show once again here. Also surprising was Marvel releasing a trailer on a Saturday night. Maybe they figured plenty of people would be online because of college football. Or director James Gunn revealed the trailer at Brazil’s CCXP convention, and the studio didn’t want crappy smartphone grabs online instead of a HD video.
Take a look at the latest two minutes of fun from Marvel:
Has someone getting stabby ever been funnier? (Actually, has it ever been funny?) Put Drax the Destroyer inside the stomach of some giant multi-tentacled alien creature that has an enormous mouth, let him throw a tantrum with his two favorite blades, and that is some lethal comedy. Dave Bautista has been great as Drax with his deadpan humor and talent for uncomfortably pointing out the obvious in a situation.
That might be best demonstrated by the final scene of the trailer, which also gives us our first look at Mantis (Pom Klementieff, Oldboy), who has the ability to telepathically read people’s emotions. Or maybe she can sense what everyone already knows, but is afraid to say. That’s where Drax helps out as only he can.
“You must be so embarrassed!” Poor Star-Lord. Dude never gets any respect or love. Can’t be the galaxy’s greatest outlaw when someone just outed your feelings in front of the group. We don’t know what Mantis learned about Drax if she touched him, however. That’s potentially a nice little cliffhanger. Well done, James Gunn.
Another nice touch in this teaser is that we don’t have to hear Blue Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling” anymore. (Hey, it’s a great song, but the last Guardians trailer probably leaned on it too heavily, trying to arouse familiar feelings.) This time, we get Sweet’s “Fox on the Run,” which sounds great and isn’t leaving your head any time soon — along with adding a little outer-spacey goofiness. Peter Quill’s “Awesome Mix – Vol. 2” should be another fun listen.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is set for a May 5, 2017 release.
