Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Trailer: Five Best Moments

On Saturday night, Marvel Studios released the first full trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the hit to the surprise 2014 hit about a ragtag band of heroic, cosmic outlaws in the Marvel Universe.

The trailer delighted fans who have been eager for their first taste of the sequel, and with good cause. The trailer was stacked with fresh moments of the original film’s humor and sense of freewheeling adventure.

But which of them were the best? Here are ComicBook.com’s picks for the five best moments from the trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

More Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Trailer / James Gunn, Chris Pratt Offer Chance To Attend Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Red Carpet / First Look At Mantis / The First New Song On The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Soundtrack / First Live-Action Look At The Abilisk / New Image Released By James Gunn /Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Helped Chris Pratt Deal With His Father’s Death / Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Sneak Peek Trailer Done In LEGO / Dave Batista Comments On X-Men Vs. Avengers / James Gunn Says Drax Is The Funniest Character / There Was No Back-Up Plan For Kurt Russell’s Character / Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Poster/ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Sneak Peek / Images From The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Sneak Peek/ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Sneak Peek: Questions Raised / James Gunn Debunks Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Rumor

Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is written and directed by James Gunn and stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Sean Gunn, Glenn Close, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, and Kurt Russell.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 opens in theaters May 5, 2017.

The Abilisk

The original Guardians of the Galaxy had a lot of different things going for it. It did not have a giant space beast.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is filling that void with a creature called an abilisk, a cosmic monstrosity created specifically for the marvel Cinematic Universe.

Director James Gunn previously revealed concept art of the abilisk and stated that the Guardians of the Galaxy would be hired to take one out. Even with that amount of warning, the cosmic behemoth still managed to impress in live-action.

What’s best is the creature makes the Guardians look good. Gamora remains unflappable when facing the abilisk’s roar, and Drax dives headlong into the abilisk’s maw then begins carving it up from the inside.

Don’t Push the Button

The cosmic duo of Rocket and Groot are back, and while some things have clearly changed, some things remain the same.

After Groot sacrificed himself to save the team in Guardians of the Galaxy, he managed to survive in the form of a new sapling. Now baby Groot has left his pot behind and relearned to walk, which only makes him that much more difficult for Rocket to keep an eye on.

The comedic scene that runs between Rocket and Groot throughout the trailer shows exactly the state of their relationship, as Rocket tries to keep Groot from blowing them all up at the push of a button, can only exercise so much control over the precocious baby Groot.

Baby Groot Rides Rocket’s Shoulder

During Rocket’s introduction scene in the trailer, we see him reveling in combat with two gun blazes. Baby Groot is perched on his left shoulder, seemingly aghast at first, but still in it with his friend and partner.

This scene is the perfect example of a callback done right. Having Rocket fire at all angles while Groot is perched on his shoulder inverts the scene from Guardians of the Galaxy in which Rocket takes aim from atop Groot’s shoulder to accomplish the same goal.

James Gunn knows how to build on what he began in Guardians of the Galaxy while making sure to give it a meaningful and fresh new take.

Baby Groot’s Battle Cry

Yes, this list is a little heavy on the baby Groot side of things, but baby Groot really did steal the show when it comes to the first trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

In another comedic inversion of the status quo set up in Guardians of the Galaxy, we have the now diminutive Groot screaming in his best baby yell as he charges into battle.

While the moment is funny on its face, it also exemplifies how things have changed for the character. In Guardians of the Galaxy, he was could walk softly and carry a big stick – or be that big stick, as the case may be.

Now that he can no longer rely on his size to his talking for him, Groot finds another way to let his foes know he means business. A loud way. 

Mantis’ Intervention

Between the hugging scene in the first Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 sneak peek, and the final scene in the first full trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, it is becoming increasingly clear that Drax’s relationship with Star-Lord is likely to become one the highlights of the movie.

This is great for multiple reasons. First fans get their first look at Pom Klementieff as Mantis, a past member of the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers in the Marvel Comics Universe.

More than just a first look, Mantis catalyzes a great comedic beat that crystallizes Star-Lord awkward, somewhat immature infatuation with Gamora while Gamora is standing there listening.

And then there’s Drax, who has learned enough to recognize the humor of the situation, but not how utterly embarrassing it is for poor Peter Quill.

This scene is a great summation of the humor and relationships that made the original Guardian of the Galaxy such a hit for Marvel Studios.