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F​ive minutes into​ of Guardians​ of the Galaxy​ and it is​ quite clear that we aren’t in regular Marvel territory. The marvel logo​ itself​ doesn’t make an appearance until 6 minutes into the origin story, a small detail​;​ but it starts as it means to go on. This isn’t going to be your standard superhero blockbuster.

Our hero is Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Alias: Starlord.  He’s​ a self described space outlaw ​; but is actually​ nothing more than an amateur thief. In the opening few minutes we witness Peter​ being​ mysteriously abducted from Earth in the ​19​80’s​;​ minutes after witnessing his mother’s death.

Years later, on his latest quest for valuables ​;​ Quill discovers the mysterious ‘Orb’, a powerful​ and valuable​ object ​ ​which​ becomes the cause of the rather large bounty Peter finds on his head.  This bounty brings together ​some great characters; who form the most unlikely superhero​ collaboration​ of all time ​;​ consisting of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), his best friend Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) and prisoner Drax (Dave Bautista).


Our first introduction to Pratt happens as he listens to “Come and get your love” by Redbone on his 80’s walkman…in outer space…dancing and singing the lyrics​, grabbing​ unsuspecting baby alien creatures​, and using them​ as microphones​… ​yes, ​really! It’s a terrific introduction, not only to the tone of the movie but also to Chris Pratt. Those who are fans of the television show Parks and Recreation are no strangers to the loveable nature of Pratt and this translates​ well​ onto the big screen. As his first big outing he manages to carry the film well.

The film really begins to shine when Quill is thrown into prison along with bounty hunters Rocket and Groot​, a roguish pair of interspecies besties​, Drax, a man with a ​ serious ​vendetta and Gamora, adopted daughter of upcoming Marvel Movies big-bad, Thanos. Once the group of misfits begin to work together, their energy is entertaining and engaging. Despite embracing the silly concept early on, the film isn’t without it’s more tender moments between the group. I’ll be damned if I have ever felt more emotionally attached to a tree than I did while watching this movie.

The film’s weakest point is​ the villains. Their motivations for destruction are sketchy at best and they lack any real development. As inventive and fresh as Guardians feels, it’s the villains that are the most formulaic element of the movie. Guardians’ ​main ​focus ​seems to be ​on getting the group dynamic right​; and unfortunately it is the threat against this hilarious and well-rounded group which seems to fall short of development, as the creative minds behind Guardians seem to have ​focused their efforts in other places.

​Last year, when the buzz around this movie began, nobody expected much from the Marvel movie featuring the talking raccoon and his best friend​ ​The Tree.​ D​irector, James Gunn, was up against the odds​. ​ I​t is ​perhaps the complete​ absurdity of Guardians ​that​ ​is​ its biggest strength; and makes it one of the freshest, and most exhilarating Marvel film yet​. 

Its own acknowledgement ​of​ how silly of a concept ​the film is based on;​ helps ease the audience into the story with some big​, big​ laughs along the way.

Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy isn’t without some faults, namely in the​ villain department. But when you’re having this much fun ​at​ the cinema it’s hard to give a damn. 

Still not convinced if you want to watch it? Check out the trailer below:

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