Synopsis:

Removing some subplots = lighter movie. Removing Rocket's dark past = lighter tone. Removing aggression between characters = lighter feel. Rocket being out of commission = lighter team. A lighter movie to help you feel more empathy with the main cast!

Intentions:

The intention is to make the film lighter in terms of content, tone, feel, length, subplots, etc. I removed Rocket's flashbacks for two reasons. first is because it gives a very heavy tone, second is to help us empathise with the other characters more, by feeling Rocket's absence. I've heavily cut the presence of Cosmo and the subplot with Kraglin, because Cosmo is just not a developed character and that story is unrelated to the main story. I've removed much of the excessive aggression from the characters and made Mantis less of a punching bag. I've made High Evolutionary less petty.

Change List:

inserted "I'm not in love" from 1st Guardians film over the Marvel logos, as a callback. Removed flashback intro, faded in on Rocket's face as he listens to "Creep". Removed Cosmo upstaging Kraglin with telepathy. Minimised the drama between them. Removed flashback to Rocket's surgery after Adam retreats. Removed Kraglin and Cosmo bickering as the Guardians leave. Removed Rocket flashback as the Guardians fly off towards Orgocorp. Various edits to hid the fact High Evolutionary is standing on a box. Removed his "Toodledoo" line. Removed Drax eating a zarg nut after telling Mantis they're all gone. Removed Rocket flashback as they prepare to enter Orgocorp. Removed Mantis screaming into the suit intercom. Removed Mantis telling them to put the suits in the disposal. Removed the whole 'suits floating outside window' part of the scene. Just cut right from Master Karja criticising his colleague, to the corridor. Removed the dwelling on the suggestion that Peter is in love with Nebula. He ignores it and Nebula gives a funny look and they carry on. Removed Elevator scene, where Peter is just complaining about Gamora. Removed Rocket flashback after escaping Orgocorp. Inserted part of Drax's 'metaphor' deleted scene, to remove the poop reference. Removed Rocket flashback after Drax metaphor scene. This necessitated removing part of the surrounding scenes "fluid in lungs", "he's dying". Removed shot of peter as Drax sits up for first time, it felt like a jump cut. Removed Mantis' 'dumbass face' and Nebula ragging on her for it. Removed Nebula struggling to get in the car. Intercut with Gamora's reaction shots to carry it. Increased speed of Peter and Groot entering High Evolutionary's chamber to 200%. Removed Rocket flashback after entering chamber. Removed Adam seen returned to the Bowie, it's left open ended. Adjusted colour to differentiate the exterior and interior of the ship, as it reaches high altitude. Inserted later scene of accessing the encryption device, instead of the start of helping Rocket, to aid pacing. carried the music through the scenes until Rocket's revival. Inserted scene of High Evolutionary ranting about them escaping with Rocket and how important he is. It makes more sense here, before he finds Drax et al and threatens Peter over the com. Inserted Rocket not doing well scene after that, to set up things going badly just before Drax et al arguing badly. Removed Mantis making Drax forget, cut straight to Nebula looking dark and then Drax ripping lock of cage. Things are bad. Removed all Rocket dream sequences and removed treatment scenes for earlier insertion. First thing in this scene now is Rocket flatlining. Removed Peter's second scream, to reinsert as he is giving Rocket chest compressions and cut right to Rocket reviving. Colour graded to lighten Nebula's face slightly when she hears Rocket's voice. Removed Cosmo bitching while playing cards, and the rest of the scene reinserted later. Removed High Evolutionary ranting about Them all escaping to reinsert earlier. Removed Mantis landing on her face as they fall down hole. Cut away as the kid says "Jub jub" to Card game and Peter asking Kraglin for help. Cut Nebula's extended screaming at children and Mantis screaming at Nebula. Nebula shouts at them once, they cry immediately and Drax steps in right away. Removed Adam escaping, it's not really necessary to see it and spoils pacing. Removed Shots of cockpits preparing to advance, it is unnecessary and spoils pacing. Removed extended shots of Hellspawn rampaging along giant cannon. Removed Cosmo telling Kraglin they've been infiltrated. Removed shots of explosions on Arête Laboratories. Removed Drax et al running from the Abilisks Removed all sequences of attack inside Knowhere. Removed Rocket's flashbacks after the Guardians have reunited, Removed the long and slow strut towards the door. After the door is opened, removed the antire fight scene except for Rocket's hero shot. Removed all shots of Cosmo hold the two space vessels together. Inserted some short flashbacks to the deleted intro as Rocket finds the cage full of baby raccoons. Removed extended shots of Peter 'dying' and everyone shouting out and crying. He just starts to freeze up and then Adam turns up.

Additional Notes:

The High Evolutionary box removal was the hardest part of this. It had to go though because it seemed to diminish he character and made him seem petty.

Other Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXORoQZLZ2M "into the light"