Lindsay Ellis (aka Nostalgia Chick) gives thoughtful take on GotG Vol. 2

August 31st 2017, 3:35pm

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

I remember in high school being really into That Guy With the Glasses, a series of critical video essays headed by Doug Walker. He eventually got his own website and channel (before moving to YouTube), and brought on a bunch of other critics into the fold, like The Cinema Snob and Obscurus Lupa. However, one of my favorite critics was The Nostalgia Chick (real name Lindsay Ellis), as she was much more analytical, acerbic, and all around funny than most of the other critics on that channel.

And it's fortunate she's still making video essays all these years later, as she hasn't lost her edge, humor, and knack for thoughtful and detailed critical analysis. And the video above is no exception. Ellis (no longer donning The Nostalgia Critic monicker) analyzes GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 and goes deep into the different themes of the story, and how they connect to the characters, as well as what facilitates its ultimate emotional catharsis. Moreover, she taps into something I profoundly agree with, which is the idea that one's personal experiences affect the critical evaluation of a work of art, no matter its other flaws or technical merits. It's also just a great way to better understand the storytelling mechanisms at play throughout the film.

Anyway, it's worth a watch, and maybe you'll become a fan of hers as well!