Movie Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Written by Anthony Sargon
They did it. They actually managed to pull it off. What many have been touting as Marvel Studios’ biggest gamble to date is finally here, and it’s freakin’ brilliant. James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy is everything that I hoped it would be, and it’s this summer’s most entertaining blockbuster, hands down. It’s hilarious, full of heart, and just plain fun. If you were on the fence about checking this out, I suggest you rethink your plans for the weekend.
When Peter Quill, AKA Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), finds a mysterious orb while on a rogue mission, he suddenly becomes a primary target for bounty hunters galaxy-wide, as well as Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace), a powerful member of the Kree race. After a series of events lead Quill to prison, along with Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), and Groot (Vin Diesel), the five of them have no choice but to join forces if they’re to get out and stop Ronan from obtaining the orb. Along the way, this random band of misfits grows to become a team of unlikely heroes who hold the fate of the galaxy in their hands.
Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the funniest movies I’ve seen all year, and it’s most definitely the funniest Marvel movie to date. I’d even argue that it’s as much of a comedy as it is a sci-fi epic, and the balance that Gunn has managed to strike between the two is incredibly impressive. Even as you’re laughing your guts out at something that Groot, Rocket, or Quill are saying/doing (Drax has his moments too, trust me), you’re still invested in the characters, and genuinely care about them and what’s at stake.
Part of what makes Guardians such a success is the tremendous ensemble cast. Chris Pratt is perfect as Star-Lord. He’s funny, charming, often aloof, but still very believable as a badass hero. Speaking of badasses, Zoe Saldana effortlessly transforms into Gamora, the most dangerous woman in the galaxy. Paint her blue, green, it doesn’t matter; she’s as beautiful as she is menacing. I was also really impressed with Dave Bautista’s performance as Drax. His deadpan humor meshed perfectly with the rest of the gang, and he’s also someone you definitely wouldn’t want to cross.
But the two standouts, as you’ve probably guessed, are Rocket and Groot. Cooper and Diesel give great vocal performances, with the latter only having three words to work with: I am Groot. For a foul-mouthed, gun-toting raccoon, Rocket is still extremely lovable, and behind his macho façade hides a deeply disturbed and lonely creature. His relationship with Groot is very endearing, and watching the two interact will likely never get old. The incredible CGI quickly takes a back seat to great characterization, and that’s exactly how it should be.
The entire team has great chemistry. They feed off each other and perfectly complement one another. They’re lost and damaged, and finally find a purpose once they band together. While different characters may stand out to different moviegoers, they all get an opportunity to shine. It’s the ensemble that makes it work, not the individuals. The supporting cast is also great, although I thought many of them were slightly underused. John C. Reilly and Glenn Close are great as members of the Nova Corps, even if their appearances were quite brief. Michael Rooker, who actually had a pretty meaty role as the bounty hunter Yondu, was sleazy, funny and likable.
While Lee Pace’s Ronan the Accuser is most certainly a badass villain and is given plenty to do, his motivations were a little hard to nail down. For the most part, he just seemed to be evil for the sake of being evil. But the thing is, it doesn’t really matter. This film is meant to introduce us to the Guardians themselves and establish their relationship. Would it have been cool to get a bit more background on Ronan’s story? Sure, but it doesn’t take anything away from how fun and complete this film feels.
It would be criminal not to mention the film’s brilliant and often seamless effects, as well as the incredible 70s and 80s soundtrack, which is probably one of the most memorable and enjoyable soundtracks in recent memory. I was almost as excited to hear what song would play next as I was about watching these great characters mingle. It’s clear that Gunn understands these characters and this world, and he absolutely nailed the feel and tone. It’s an explosion of cosmic fun, and Gunn wants to take us along for the ride. There are also tons of references to the Marvel Universe and easter eggs to keep an eye out for, so multiple viewings are almost a given.
The Verdict:
Funny, fresh, irreverent, and heartfelt, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is the studio’s best film after The Avengers. It’s pure, unadulterated fun, and proves that there’s no limit to what Marvel can put on the big screen. This opens up the Marvel Cinematic Universe to endless possibilities, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next. Do not miss it.
Numerical Score: 9.5/10
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