But overall, we give the edge to Guardians Vol. Those looking for something familiar and comforting might “ooga-chaka” their way to the first album. In the end, the choice between the two Guardians of the Galaxy soundtracks depends on personal preference. Yet, rather than going too obscure, he strikes a more even balance between tunes fans might kind of know and deeper cuts. Gunn topped himself with pitch-perfect matches of emotion and songs. 2 might ultimately prove to be a more satisfying listen in the long term. Moreover, it also established the significance of Peter Quill’s “Awesome Mix” collections in the films.Īlthough far more introspective, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. The first Guardians of the Galaxy features a collection of more recognizable, more dance-able tunes. But which of the two films has a better overall soundtrack?īecause the two Guardians of the Galaxy soundtracks are so different, deciding which one is objectively better is a tricky proposition. 2 hinge on Gunn’s song selections, a skill he has clearly honed since the first film. In addition, many of the sequences in Guardians Vol. But tracks like George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” and Cat Stevens’ “Father and Son” offer a more complicated, conflicted, and personal lens into where the story goes. This is not to say the music in Guardians Vol. 2 is the accompanying collection of rarities and B-sides. If that first film is the greatest hits of the 1970s and 1980s, then Guardians Vol. Guardians of the Galaxy features songs that might be new to younger fans but many of which are classics in their own right. While the first film featured such music legends as David Bowie and Marvin Gaye, its sequel digs a bit deeper. Embracing a more folk-rock focus, Guardians Vol.
Instead of going bigger, the filmmaker took the opposite approach. And fans were eager to see how Gunn would up the ante. The first film’s music had proven to be so epically linked to the movie. So expectations were set high when Gunn came back for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. But this connection to the events on screen and particularly the lead character contribute greatly to the soundtrack’s potency. Sure, the music - an eclectic mix of soul, rock, and pop - made for an instant party. That’s one clear reason why the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack was such a smash hit upon the film’s release. He treasures it as the final gift from his mother (Laura Haddock). The songs audiences hear are often coming directly from Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) Walkman. Instead, he built them into his story and rooted them in character. However, Gunn didn’t just overlay tracks like Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” and Blue Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling” into the movie.
The answer? Throw in a bunch of hit songs. So Gunn needed to find a way to entice audiences to fall for a team that included a space raccoon and a talking tree with a very limited vocabulary. Prior to the film’s release, the characters were relatively obscure. Right from its first trailer, Guardians of the Galaxy made it clear this was a much different kind of superhero movie.
The music of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ is a character in the film But which of Gunn’s two Guardians films has the better soundtrack? Although composer Tyler Bates developed a stirring theme for Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn’s movies are better known for their ability to refresh and repopularize pop songs from the 1970s and 1980s. Ironically, the other most memorable musical element of the MCU isn’t a hero theme at all.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Avengers theme is the piece of music audiences remember. Christopher Reeves’ Superman, Michael Keaton’s Batman, and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man all became so beloved in part because of the iconic music fans associated with those performances.
A superhero movie is only as good as its theme music.