Review 2: Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy

August 1, 2014

I'm not even sure how to start this review except that this movie is absolutely outstanding! I went into this film knowing very little about it. Every time I saw an advertisement for it, I was sold more and more on seeing it and wanting to be part of the action that is Guardians of the Galaxy (great job advertising team!). Why did I like it so much, just keep reading and you'll find out.

At first this Marvel property seemed like it would be a hard sell. Who didn't doubt the talking raccoon who had a gun and was in space and was on a team with a green-skinned lady and a tree alien? Yes, at first it sounds so far-fetched. But I think that is its biggest attraction and appeal. What we got in the film is a team of almost anti-heroes with obvious flaws and a whole lot of heart. We got a hilarious joy-ride through the universe. A story that moved along at a brisk pace, allowing us to learn about the characters as we followed them through their journey.

I really loved the fact that this was an ensemble movie driven by the characters. We didn't have five other movies explaining origins of each character. We get to know these characters through their flawed interactions with one another. It was touching to hear each of their stories and how they have all been brought together. The casting helped tremendously and was spot-on. This film excelled in being unpredictable and often hilarious. The Awesome Mix Tape helped underscore scenes in a meaningful way and understand Star-Lord, a man trapped in his past but so ready for the future.

This Marvel film also seemed to have a good time poking fun at superhero movie cliches. For example, after a somewhat touching speech by Star-Lord, the team stands up to literally stand by his side as Rocket watches on and eventually stands up saying, "Alright, I'm standing. Now we are all standing. You happy? A bunch of jacka**es standing in a circle." Hilarious and perfect. The film has so many moments like this one. These characters have no idea how to be heroes and it fits them perfectly.

Between the mayhem wrought by Ronan, the films lead villain, there are so many scenes of beauty - Groot spores, Groot cocoon, the first time we see Knowhere. Even the infinity stone, the macguffin in the film, has moments of visual beauty. If you didn't walk out of the theatre with a big smile on your face, you might have missed the movie, so go see it again. 

Though the film may have suffered from an over abundance of baddies, it was still great. Nebula didn't quite get her dues and doesn't really get a nice wrap-up either. Which is fine, especially since we know Thanos is still out there plotting.

I really only have good things to say about Guardians of the Galaxy. It was big, it was fun, it was hilarious in all the right places, it had characters I really liked and really wanted to see succeed. It was great to see Thanos in all of his purple glory. I loved Rocket Raccoon. I loved that he did not want to be bullied and that he was so smart and cared so much (you know, even though he might not admit it himself).

Also, potted Groot was hysterical! Just saying. 

Final Thoughts:

Guardians of the Galaxy is my favorite Marvel film so far. It has all the right pieces coming together to make for a perfect superhero movie - great characters, a driving plot, fantastic visuals, kickin' soundtrack, and most of all heart.

I can't wait to see them again!

By the way, it made $94.3 million its first weekend, easily the biggest box office opening for August and heading to become the highest grossing movie of the season. 

Profile: Star Lord

Name: Peter Quill a.k.a. Star-Lord
First Appearance: Marvel Preview #4

Peter Quill, alias Star-Lord, was born during an unusual astronomical phenomenon when the planets aligned. Seeing no resemblance, the man who believed he was Quill's father angrily accused his wife Meredith of infidelity and attempted to kill the infant, but then died of a sudden heart attack. Quill was then raised by his single mother, Meredith. After returning home from being bullied one day, Quills’ mother saw a bright light and two aliens emerged. Vowing to end the 'Spartoi bloodline', they killed Meredith. After Quill saw the aliens and his dead mother, he panicked and ran. As the aliens pursued, he grabbed a shotgun and managed to kill them with it. He then found a mysterious device in a closet and fled the house right before an alien ship destroyed it.

Quill was placed in an orphanage but escaped and eventually became a trainee NASA astronaut. An alien entity called the Master of the Sun eventually visited the space station that Quill and other astronauts were currently inhabiting, and offered the mantle of Star Lord (an interplanetary policeman) to a worthy candidate, Quill volunteered, but was rejected in favor of a colleague he once treated badly.

Quill was outraged, and NASA ordered his return to Earth and discharge for his conduct. Peter, however, stole a scoutship, and on returning to the space station, took his colleague's place. Quill was then chosen to become Star-Lord, with the Master of the Sun first creating an illusion in which he was able to find and kill the aliens that murdered his mother to free him of his past. Equipped with a sentient vessel called "Ship", Quill commenced his role as Star-Lord.

It was later revealed that Peter Quill's father is Jason of Spartax, the second son of the galactic Emperor who acted as Star-Lord before him.

Star-Lord encountered the former Herald of Galactus, the Fallen One, and was almost killed defeating the entity (Star-Lord's vessel "Ship" was destroyed in the conflict). The pair were subsequently imprisoned in the intergalactic prison the Kyln. Star-Lord was freed by the hero Nova during the Annihilation and aided in the war against villain Annihilus. He later acted as military adviser to the Kree general Ronan the Accuser against the invading alien race the Phalanx. When the Kree homeworld of Hala was conquered by the Phalanx, he led a band of rebels against the invaders until the war was over.

Guardians of the Galaxy

After Ultron and the Phalanx were defeated, Star-Lord formed the new Guardians of the Galaxy. The universe was in a very fragile state after the two Annihilation events and fissures in reality were beginning to form and spread. In order to prevent the collapse of the universe he had Mantis telepathically nudge Adam Warlock, Phyla-Vell, Rocket Raccoon, Drax and Gamora into joining his team. This motley crew set up base in the severed head of a Celestial called Knowhere. When Star-Lord's deception was found out, everyone but Mantis quit the team in disgust and set off on their own quests.

“I almost made it work. The Guardians were more than I could ever have hoped for! But the universe is also more dangerous than I ever imagined! Look around! This is the kind of thing that can happen! The galaxy doesn't need guardians! It doesn't need brave souls! If it's going to survive another one of these, it's going to need absolute bad-asses! It's going to need the biggest guns of all! Cosmic heavy hitters as scary as the menaces they have to face! It's going to need flarking annihilators!”

-Star-Lord