Movie Reviews: ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’

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Brought to you by our friends at Reel Worth.

• Director: James Gunn
• Genres: Action, Sci-Fi
• Rating: PG-13
• Release Date: 1 August 2014
• Screenwriter: Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett, James Gunn, Nicole Perlman
• Starring: Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt, David Bautista, Vin Diesel, Zoe Saldana
• 

Guardians of the Galaxy

What Worked?

We’ve ventured off into space before, but we’ve never done it with such a likable bunch as Star Lord, Groot, Gamora, Drax, and Rocket. James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy is like an amazing amusement park ride: once it’s done, you want to stay seated and yell “let’s do that again!” The film boasts an all-star cast, including Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, Chris Pratt, and David Bautista.

Gunn really cooks up a film that has just about everything you need in a perfect summer blockbuster, but he serves it up in a way that’s not stale. All of the characters are fully-developed, and likable in their own unique ways. There really is no weak link. The script moves at a brisk pace, and is filled with smart, sarcastic dialogue, along with scenes that will cater to several emotions, although the main dish is humor. Visually, this film is eye-candy that won’t give you diabetes; it’s captivating without being overpowering. Gunn films some amazing scenes, such as Gamora poetically floating in space, almost like a princess, waiting for her knight in shining armor to come. Did I also mention that the soundtrack is nothing short of “Cherry Bomb” awesome? Despite all those goodies, the visual splendor, screenplay, and soundtrack take a backseat to the amazing cast.

Chris Pratt headlines this film, as he plays Peter Quill, a man that was abducted when he was just a boy right after his mom dies, by the Ravagers, a band of space pirates. He turns into a pirate himself, complete with gadgets galore and two guns at his hip, naturally. Pratt, as Peter Quill aka Star Lord, is an ego-driven rebel with a soft spot for his mom, making for a dangerously hilarious hero-next-door. His line delivery is dead-on for comedic timing, and he also pulls off being a bad-ass rebel. He’s likable in a way that you’d want to have a beer with him after dealing with the shit that hit the fan.

The rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy are just as impressive. Rocket, played by Bradley Cooper, is the Joe Pesci of animals-that-wield-guns. Cooper is a mean little devil, as Rocket, but he also shows his caring side in interacting with Groot, played wonderfully by Vin Diesel. Diesel only has one line, but his delivery is fantastically, and  his gentle mannerisms really build an enjoyable character. Then there’s Drax, played by Bautista, a warrior who literally takes everything literally. He takes on the part well with a sincerely straight face. Lastly, there’s Gamora, played by Zoe Saldana, who is a deadly assassin. Saldana plays the character with a fierce gaze that fires everyone up.

Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the best Marvel films to date. It is the perfect summer movie to watch, and deserves a double-dip. This odd rag-tag band of “losers” is what family is all about. They’re not your average group of heroes; they’re more relative than the ones we’ve seen, and that’s why it’s easier to root for them. It’s also a film that’s inspirational in it’s own way, and it reminds us that when life gives you an opportunity, remember to give a shit.

Potential Drawbacks:

It fits a standard plot of a first outing to start a Marvel series, so there’s that repetitiveness that many are already tired of in seeing all of these superhero movies. Some may also say that minor characters are played by amazing actors and are underused. Others may hate all the pop-culture and throwback songs stuffed into the film, as it may be a distraction for the standard story the film is telling. Lastly, Ronan was a weak villain that looked menacing, but didn’t do anything worth remembering.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHUBlv5_K8Y[/youtube]