Was This Movie Really Necessary?: Guardians of the Galaxy 2

Most decent movie sequels make me feel bad if I never got a chance to see the first movie in the series. This isn't one of them.

It managed to take almost every element of a successful comic book movie and make it annoying. Then it had the nerve to wrap everything up with a shamelessly contrived -- and not quite believable -- pro-family message. Even the presence of Karen Gillan of Doctor Who fame and the obligatory rip-off -- er -- homage to Hitchcock's North by Northwest couldn't save this film from being amazingly unwatchable. Any indication that it might prove otherwise was dashed to pieces by the opening sequence which managed to make what could have been an exciting action piece seem dull -- and don't get me started on the merits of any casting director who would have Michelle Yeoh play second fiddle to the likes of Chris Pratt. Add to that dialogue that made the Three Stooges sound like refugees from the Algonquin Round Table and you had one real stinker of a movie.

And if you're tempted to watch it because of the talking raccoon, go rent Over the Hedge. It's a lot more funnier and more entertaining and it won't make you feel like a sucker for watching it.