How do you get a group of people to work together that would rather kill each other? In August 2014, a common threat brought a small band of trouble makers together... to save the galaxy. Directing this 121 minute action/adventure/sci-fi is James Gunn.
Hooked on a feeling is: Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Vin Diesel as (the voice) Groot, Bradley Cooper as (the voice) Rocket, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Lee Pace as Ronan the Accuser, Michael Rooker as Yondu Udonta and Benicio Del Toro as The Collector. With some surprise voice appearences by: Nathan Fillion as Monstrous Inmate, Rob Zombie as Ravager Navigator, Josh Brolin as Thanos and Seth Green as Howard the Duck.
One minute, a young boy named Peter was on Earth, the next minute everything in his world changed... forever. Now, 26 years later Peter has found a way to survive in his new surroundings. Unfortunately, the
way he survives tends to get him into some trouble sometimes. Not that it matters much because trouble is something he's always been able to find his way out of. That is until now. Apparently Peter's last job has put him in possession of something that in the wrong hands could mean destruction for many. And said owner of those wrong hands, Ronan the Accuser, wants that item, so he's hunting Peter down to get it. Luckily for Peter, the new friends... allies... well new people he's met in jail could be the best thing that's happened to him. Even though they each have a different reason for doing it, they share the same goal, stop Ronan! If they can manage to put their differences aside long enough, they just might save some lives... their own.
Warning: I'm about to force feed you some comic book knowledge, but I'll try to keep it short. One of the many reasons we have this super cool Guardians of the Galaxy (GOTG) film, which is based on the comic book of the same name, is because of two guys named Arnold Drake and Gene Colan that started it all. Back in 1969 GOTG first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #18, and the team was made up of Major Vance Astro (Major Victory), Martinex T'Naga, Captain Charie-27, Yondu Udonta, Star Hawk, Aleta Ogard and Nikki. Of course that was back when I was reading the comics. Now however, things have changed and a new team has been put together, thanks to Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. In 2008 the new GOTG teamed up and made their first appearance together in Guardians of the Galaxy #1, which is made up of Star Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Groot. The rest is out of this world history...
Writers James Gunn and Nicole Perlaman sat down and put together a storyline that was really cool. If you've never read any of the comics, it doesn't matter. Gunn and Perlaman's storyline is something that any movie goer can sit down, enjoy and understand everything that's going on. The movie has a good mix of a lot of things. Not only does the storyline give reason for some great looking action scenes, but the script also has quite a bit of humor that delivers some good laughs. The movie maintains a good balance of all that and held my attention all the way through.
The playthrough was great and it kept up a nice pace, all until the very end. I liked the way they introduced the characters and gave enough of a back story to understand what's going on. Yet, none of that slows down the story any. Also as you make your way through the flick you get to listen to some cool music thanks to Tyler Bates.
The cast did an amazing job with their characters. Pratt, I have to say, did a stand out killer job as Quill. I've always liked Pratt's work but what he did bringing the Quill character to life is like what Robert Downey Jr. did as Iron Man, or Patrick Stewart as Professor X. Some things were just meant to be, and when it happens... they are awesome. Bautista overall is a pretty good actor, not a veteran by any means, but he's trying. So getting the chance to play Drax is definitely a solid notch in his belt, and he pulled it off. Saldana is a highly talented actress and she brought her A game to this one. Cooper and Diesel also did great with their voice work. Now, I'm a big Diesel fan and I dig that he lends his voice to Groot, but it really wasn't necessary to get a big name star for this character. If you're going to spend the money on getting a big star, get your money's worth and have them do something (or in this case) say something more than "I am Groot". The character would have still been cool and contributed the same amount.
David White (along with a huge list of other contributors) pulled off some killer looking special effects and Ben Davis's work with the cinematography captures it all. Everything looked amazing, from the effects to the costumes that Alexandra Byrne put together. Making this is one something you will definitely enjoy watching on the big screen.
Overall, Marvel has out done themselves this time. Yeah they've made flicks that were fun and entertaining before, but this one takes the cake. Plus it's something the kids will get a kick out of. So I'd say GOTG is totally worth the time and money to catch in the theaters. After what I saw with this one, when the sequel comes out sometime around 2017 you'll know where to find me, in the theater getting ready to enjoy another galactic ride.
It's rated PG-13 for violence.
4 stars