The sequel to 2014’s “Guardian of the Galaxy,” and the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” has just hit theaters in the United States, and fans have absolutely loved it.

With returning cast of Chris Pratt (Star Lord), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax), Bradley Cooper (Rocket), Vin Diesel (Groot), Sean Gun (Rocket’s MoCap and Kraglin), Michael Rooker (Yondu) and Karen Gillan (Nebula), and new cast members Kurt Russell (Ego), Pom Klementieff (Mantis), the film was predestined to be great.

The film follows the Guardians as they attempt to defend an alien race known as the Sovereign from a large space beast. Upon success, they learn Rocket has stolen some valuables from the species, and the Guardians are chased by warships attempting to kill them for stealing. During the ensuing space battle, the crew’s ship, “The Milano,” is badly damaged and crashes on an unknown planet. Upon “landing” (read: crashing), the Guardians meet a man named Ego, who reveals he is Star Lord’s long lost father, and has been searching for his son for quite some time.

The film features two main antagonists: the Ravagers, who fans will recall from the first film, and the Sovereign, the alien race rocket steals from. While the Sovereign have much potential for future films, the Ravagers felt somewhat underused, as most of them were either killed or joined the Guardians within the film’s second half. Despite these misgivings, hopefully in future films fans will get to see Sylvester Stallone’s Stakar leading the remaining Ravager leaders, who fans of the comics might identify as the original Guardians of the Galaxy.

One of the best things about “Guardians 2” is its soundtrack. The first film’s score was a multi-platinum record, so the second film had some big shoes to fill. The soundtrack (named “Awesome Mix Vol. 2”) features many “awesome” songs from the ‘80s, such as “Brandy,” “Fox on the Run,” “Mr. Blue Sky” and “The Chain.”

Each character in the film brought something hilarious to the stage. Drax was overly literal and direct about everything. Howard The Duck, arguably Marvel’s strangest character ever showed up randomly (again). One of the best recurring jokes was that no one could (or chose to not) identify Rocket as a racoon, being called everything from dog to trash panda to triangle-faced monkey. Mantis’ ability to feel other people’s emotions proved for an incredibly amusing scene, which fans have been seeing since the first trailer.

The film continues Marvel’s traditions of having amazing cameos and comic references for fans to find. Among the many to show up here were Miley Cyrus, Nathan Fillion and David Hasselhoff (who helped out on the films killer soundtrack).

Marvel is well known for its end credit scenes, and Guardians 2 gave viewers a whopping five post credit teasers.

The film also gives avid Marvel fans what could possibly be the biggest Stan Lee cameo ever. For many years, Lee has appeared in Marvel films, but he always plays a different character. Fans have long wondered how he is able to appear as so many people, if the film universe is as connected as Marvel says it is. This film shows Lee sitting with multiple tall, blue characters with large heads, whom fans of Marvel may instantly recognize as the Watchers, mystical beings who observe the events of the Marvel Universe, but rarely, if ever, interfere. This cameo proves the long standing theory that Lee is indeed a Watcher himself, thus explaining his many cameos.

Despite getting mixed reviews and having a somewhat underused antagonist in the Ravagers, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is one of the best Marvel films to date. With as much humor as there is drama and action, and the perfect amount of natural, non-forced romance, this film is incredible. There isn’t a moment in the film where fans are bored or wishing the next scene would start. As far as films go, this one is over the top.