GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014)

Directed By: James Gunn 
Written By: James Gunn & Nicole Perlman 
Based on the Comic-Book By: Andy Lanning & Dan Adnett 
Cinematography By: Ben Davis 
Editor: Fred Raskin, Craig Wood & Hughes Winborne 
Music By Tyler Bates 

Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Lee Pace, Dijmon Hounsou Michael Rooker, Benecio Del Toro, Karen Gillan, Glenn Close, John C. Reilly, Vin Diesel (Voice Only), Bradley Cooper (Voice Only), Sean Gunn, Peter Serafinowicz, Gregg Henry


After stealing a mysterious orb in the far reaches of outer space, Peter Quill is now the main target of a manhunt led by the villain known as Ronan the Accuser. To help fight Ronan and his team and save the galaxy from his power, Quill creates a team known as the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' to save the world.

The film is filled with Light hearted, fun

While having all the plot points the audience needs as the world hangs in the balance. Though you never truly feel in danger as you just wonder, well how are they going to get out of this one.

It's an off-beat superhero film. The characters aren't as polished. As your run of the mill big budget adventure film. They are more like side-kicks or out casts that have come together to become an exotic team of misfits. Even though they have all the archetypes the man seeking revenge for the slaughter of his family. The honorable thief, a Hans Solo type (who even gets a RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK type introduction) who always has a one-liner at the ready. The turncoat who used to be evil. The powerful silent and simple type, And the cute yet deadly talking animal. Making them all the perfect anti-heroic heroes.

That leaves the film as more comedic. Making the characters human, though not as stoic as your usual type.

The comic series was more of an oddity and as such, not as much of a die hard following. So with the film the filmmakers didn't have as much worry of fitting everyone's vision of the characters. They had more room to play around with. Unlike superhero movies like the avengers this is an origin story for all the characters. so we get To know them as they all do.

Not with one pre-disposed knowledge of the characters and the tone of their individual movies. We get to experience them as a whole. Though I will admit the crowd pleasing rocket raccoon steals the film.

It helps that most of the characters feel like they could be the stars of their own individual films, as well as each having a backstory that we are informed of but not seen. That are powerful enough to explain what we need to know and believe thier motivations. Each so original yet odd and different that though familiar feel new and exciting

The soundtrack set to classic tunes allow the film to ground home some themes and provide classic music to soundtrack action sequences and important situations.

As a sci-fi film has some STAR TREK aspect as far as aliens co-existing and sexy brightly colored tone ladies.

I will admit to not being hyped for this film at all. Even after seeing the previews. These days I prefer to wait to see the actual film. As I grew up reading comic books dreaming of films Like this coming out. Though really the special effects weren't ready nor was the casting of these characters. It was always a pipe dream. While I was there debating who would be the perfectly cast X-MEN. Which ones would they actually use in a movie? Who would be the best wolverine? or Spider-Man? Or ghost rider? but rarely was there a title made. Unless it was a legendary popular Character like superman or batman and occasionally more of a cult graphic novel characters like JUDGE DREDD, TANK GIRL and THE CROW.

The film is still exciting to a degree this one honestly surprised me with my enjoyment of it.

Then they made one gigantic leap with Marvel X-MEN then THE HULK Which they still haven't made a satisfactory film of and then kept coming every other year. Now the box office is ruled by films like them of not superhero films then big budget action and sci-fi movies that seems like a new one comes every six months rather than letting momentum build as they come a little more spaced. I find I began hard to be overjoyed and as excited as what was once rare is now common. Don't get me wrong the movies are usually good To decent. It is just hard for me

Luckily there are nice surprises, though they are doing what they are supposed to with the film and it doesn't need the accommodations. Even though it's always nice to be congratulated on a job well done. It seldom is and here I am happy to give my appreciation of the material and how it is handled in this film. Especially as it has a don't care attitude take us as we are.

I am happy to see James Gunn move into bigger projects. He manages to make them as funny and smart as his previous independent films.

With his hiring as well as Christopher Nolan precedent of directing the dark knight trilogy. It shows studios are smart to take more chances with more offbeat choices for directors. Who have more of an independent background and history. In essence are a bit more proficient in knowing how to craft a story as well as see the bigger budget as a luxury. Putting more attention on developing character and story rather than just visuals.

The film has an eye and a strong sense of tone. As they have been in hare of their own films previously. These filmmakers manage to make the film not seem like every other one out there.

It's fun to see certain actors form Mr. Gunn's previous films and work, pop up and still manages to give a big shout out to Kevin bacon, who previously played a villain in James Gunn's last film SUPER.

The actors all have strange and original interpretations of the characters they play that are inspired choices in design and characterization. Michael Rooker playing an alien with a southern accent and plenty of gold teeth. Benecio del toro as The Collector dresses and acts like a high fashion designer.

This is a film that is great for kids colorful and a little gruesome though in a fun way. It is also a film that will appeal to adults and make them a bit nostalgic for the comics, As it fully captures the fun and danger of classic comic books. A full 4 quadrant movies.

I prefer to wait these days as I grew up reading comics dreaming of films like this coming out. The special effects weren't ready nor was the casting. I was there debating who would be the perfectly cast x-men which ones should be used, Who a the best wolverine or Spider-Man but rarely was there a superhero title made. Then all of a sudden they made one other then the occasional indie comic book character like THE CROW, TANK GIRL or THE MASK. Of course the popular ones like SUPERMAN and BATMAN were always around, and soon after films like X-Men, Super hero comic character movies just kept coming every other year. now he box office is ruled by them and fantasy films filled with Special effects, and a new ones come every six months or sooner. It’s hard to be overjoyed and as excited as what was once rare is now common. Now at least we have female oriented films of that kind usually originated in young adult novels.

It is a excellent idea to check the film out in theaters. It is where it would be most powerfully felt

Grade: B+