Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 won’t hit theaters until May 5th, but a bunch of lucky so-and-so’s got a chance to see the whole movie at an early press screening on Monday night (while interviews with the entire cast were airing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Synergy!). Full reviews are under embargo until April 24th, but audience members were allowed to tweet their spoiler-free first impressions, which we’ve gathered below. You’re welcome.
We already knew Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 was testing better than any Marvel film in history, and the critics seem to concur, with several people commenting on the humor, the touching moments of camaraderie, the vivid colors and dynamic production design, and — of course — the characters, with more than one person saying returning cast member Drax (Dave Bautista) and new cast member Mantis (Pom Klementieff) stole the show. And you can already guess how much love Groot was getting. (“Baby Groot is cuter than you can possibly imagine.”)
Right off, Uproxx’s own Mike Ryan praised Groot and talked post-credit scenes:
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 2. is very fun. Takes the EMPIRE "split up your characters" strategy. Drax is a hoot. Baby Groot steals the show
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) April 18, 2017
Also: Come for the movie, stay for the not one, not two, not three, but *four* post credit scenes.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) April 18, 2017
Everybody seemed to be excited about those four post credit scenes:
https://twitter.com/AlfredMurphy5/status/854204083967799296
4 post credit scenes!?!?!?#GotGVol2 pic.twitter.com/D4fCiRByEK
— ELE (@elegua369) April 18, 2017
FOUR POST CREDIT SCENES!?! #GOTGVol2 pic.twitter.com/JpHm7hOwN5
— SuperBroMovies (@SuperBroMovies) April 18, 2017
But then director James Gunn weighed in to clarify there are actually going to be five post credit scenes in the final theatrical cut:
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/854214331730407427
And the positivity just kept rolling in.
Don't think I've heard so much laughter at a press screening. People seemed to really be digging Guardians Vol. 2. Can't say more (yet)
— Aaron Couch (@AaronCouch) April 18, 2017
Going in with through-the-roof expectations, Guardians Vol. 2 still left me wishing it was never going to end. I seriously loved it. pic.twitter.com/kMvGQCeRiS
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) April 18, 2017
Just got back from the press screening of #GotGVol2 and this gif says all. Bravo #marvel @JamesGunn @prattprattpratt and everyone involved. pic.twitter.com/SbqsrEg1v5
— Eli Kibrick (@elikibrick) April 18, 2017
Marvel always wins. Always. #GotGVol2 What a ride. What an emotional movie. What great characters. They're just getting started.
— Daniel Alter (@DAlter007) April 18, 2017
#GotGVol2 is a movie to watch with your best friends, your family, your significant other: the people who make you feel at home. 💜
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) April 18, 2017
I say without hyperbole: #GotGVol2 is MCU at its very best. Grand adventure with intimate stakes. Uses every damn color in the crayon box. 🌈
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) April 18, 2017
Just watched #GotGVol2 –Baby Groot and Mantis are SO great. Can't say much more! pic.twitter.com/BSRfDR64W8
— Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) April 18, 2017
Had tons of fun with Guardians of the Galaxy 2. Incredibly funny, beautifully colorful, and great continuations of the heroes. Super happy!
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) April 18, 2017
There's more beauty & depth & '80s love in GUARDIANS VOL. 2 than any of the Marvel movies. It's like a water-color acid trip full of awesome pic.twitter.com/m80OSUD31p
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 18, 2017
Mantis and Drax steal the movie. The music on Awesome Mix 2 is great and has some deeper tracks than vol 1.
— /Film (@slashfilm) April 18, 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is funnier than the original, a ton of surprises, and an unexpected emotional profoundness. I am Groot.
— /Film (@slashfilm) April 18, 2017
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 is exciting, funny, gorgeous & a helluva tearjerker. For many, it will become their new favorite Marvel movie pic.twitter.com/Po4ZOSPs8Q
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 18, 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is filled with tons of surprises and an unexpected amount of emotion. Another Marvel winner.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 18, 2017
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 kept a smile on my face from beginning to end. Funny, action packed, emotional, and tons of surprises. Thumbs up. pic.twitter.com/aIz7Redwin
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) April 18, 2017
Holy smokes was Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 2 fun! I had a smile plastered on my face nearly the whole time. Tons of Easter eggs too. pic.twitter.com/558Q7nw8yN
— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) April 18, 2017
Damn. I loved Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. @JamesGunn is a hero and surprise faces steal the show.
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) April 18, 2017
Wish I could tell you about the AMAZING & satisfying cake I just ate. But there's an embargo :( Unrelated I'm interviewing @JamesGunn tmrw!
— Ajay Fry (@AjayFry) April 18, 2017
I got to see #GotGVol2 tonight and all I can say is… pic.twitter.com/8p9fxEfacY
— Alex Horwitch (@AlexHorwitch) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/silaslesnick/status/854211459013722112
Hard not to fall in love with the Guardians all over again #GotGVol2
— Ⓐⓝⓝ Ⓒⓐⓜⓟⓔⓐ (@AnnCampea) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/JoelleMonique/status/854205739887415296
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a whole heap of fun. Gorgeous, a bit mad, and surprisingly emotional. And yes, Baby Groot is everything.
— Haleigh Foutch (@HaleighFoutch) April 18, 2017
GUARDIANS VOL. 2 feels like a solid one-and-done issue between big stories; lots of character bits, not much story. MVP: Dave Bautista.
— Matt Singer / mattsinger.bsky.social (@mattsinger) April 18, 2017
Baby Groot is cuter than you can possibly imagine, Star-Lord reminds me why I liked Pratt, but YONDU 💙💙 is the real standout. #GotGVol2
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) April 18, 2017
Loved Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2. Surprisingly moving. Incredible visual effects and production design.
— Gregory Ellwood – The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/RothCornet/status/854209662782132224
I am allowed to say very little about GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 2. But I can say this: I am Groot. WE are Groot.
— Anna Klassen (@AnnaJKlassen) April 18, 2017
#GotGVol2 reviews sound encouraging, a week and a half of spoiler dodging awaits!
— Paul Toms (@Tomsy79) April 18, 2017
It seemed like it was all positive…
https://twitter.com/JBrunansky/status/854216129396432896
But we spoke too soon…
If you think #GotGVol2 is better than #Logan, then you need to reevaluate your life.
— Trump's Trailer Park 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@DemonsToxin) April 18, 2017
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is Marvel's best movie tbh. #GotGVol2
— Ty (@Ty_D16) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/kristapley/status/854206414503297024
https://twitter.com/TheInSneider/status/854199489741021184
The problem w/ GOTG2 is that the VFX threaten to swallow the film, which is way too long & too reliant on music cues. Too much family drama.
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) April 18, 2017
G-team is too split up. Didn't care about Star-Lord & his Dad or Gamora & her sister. Leads not as fun as Rocket, Drax, Yondu or Baby Groot.
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) April 18, 2017
I will say that I loved @PomKlementieff as Mantis, a great addition to the sequel who had strong chemistry with Drax. More of her, please!
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) April 18, 2017
Overall, however, the critics’ screening reactions were extremely positive, in line with the previous screening reaction rumors:
Me when all the positive reactions for #GotGVol2 hit pic.twitter.com/oYQObji0Vu
— Connor Behrens (@ConnorBehrens) April 18, 2017
And finally, James Gunn offered some advice to fans that could come in handy for any sequel:
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/854215021374488576
That is also true.
