Guardians of the Galaxy (2017), directed by James Gunn

The second instalment of the most fun of the Marvel franchise features the gang gaining in fame throughout the Universe as guns for hire. Unfortunately their latest employer, the mightily superior Sovereign are mightily pissed off when Rocket can’t keep his mouth shut nor his thieving hands to himself. Rescue is at hand from a strange being called Ego, who claims to be the Star Lord’s long lost father and whisks him off to his distant planet for some bonding. Meanwhile Yondu has been ostracised by the Ravagers for breaking their code and faces a crew mutiny for being too soft Elizabeth Debicki makes a stunning golden high priestess of the Sovereign; there are some cracking cameos from the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Stan Lee; and there is an interesting potential new guardian in empath Mantis, played by Pom Klementieff. The trials and joys of bringing up baby Groot punctuate the action, while sisters Nebula and Gamora reach some understanding in a film that is all about family and how sometimes you make your own. The only question being would you rather Kurt Russell or David Hasselhoff was your Dad? This is rollicking good action with plenty of laughs and the essential, delightfully cheesy soundtrack from the 70s and 80s.