‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ Early Screening Reactions Have Arrived!

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:

— 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:

— Alfred Murphy (@AlfredMurphy5) April 18, 2017

4 post credit scenes!!!#GotGVol2 pic.twitter.com/D4fCiRByEK

— KarlosKiddo (@karloskiddo) 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:

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) April 18, 2017

And the positivity just kept rolling in.

— 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

— Brandon Davis (@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

— ErikDavis (@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.

— Peter Sciretta (@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.

— Peter Sciretta (@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

— ErikDavis (@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.

— Brandon Davis (@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

The first film set a very, very high bar and I'm thrilled to report that #GuardiansoftheGalaxyVol2 does not disappoint in the slightest!

— Silas Lesnick (@silaslesnick) April 18, 2017

Hard not to fall in love with the Guardians all over again #GotGVol2

— Ann Campea (@AnnCampea) April 18, 2017

Just walked out of #GotGVol2. Can't say much but… pic.twitter.com/HkR1q4Qjs4

— Joelle Monique (@JoelleMonique) April 18, 2017

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) 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 (@TheGregoryE) April 18, 2017

Saw #GuardiansoftheGalaxyVol2 Not supposed to say anything other than that, so my feelings can best be expressed via this dancing raccoon. pic.twitter.com/bA47hLchkY

— Roth Cornet (@RothCornet) April 18, 2017

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…

— J. Brunansky (@JBrunansky) April 18, 2017

But we spoke too soon…

— Marveltards' Bane (@DeadBloodyDemon) April 18, 2017

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is Marvel's best movie tbh. #GotGVol2

— Ty Dingess (@TyDingess) April 18, 2017

Guardians 2 is a bottle episode, suffers for it.

— Kristopher Tapley (@kristapley) April 18, 2017

Hate to be the Voice of Reason, but GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 isn't as good as the first. What felt fresh now feels forced. 2.5/4 stars

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) April 18, 2017

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:

— Connor Behrens (@ConnorFilm) April 18, 2017

And finally, James Gunn offered some advice to fans that could come in handy for any sequel:

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) April 18, 2017

That is also true.