One of life’s great gifts is the state of anticipation. The sweet agony of waiting while hoping with every fiber of our being that whatever it is we are waiting for meets and exceeds our expectations on arrival.
Readers and moviegoers experience this state often throughout a given year, as announced release dates are followed by cover art images and movie posters. Then come the trailers and the thoughts of those lucky enough to have gotten an early glimpse at the finished work.
Anticipation…it can result in the heady rush of desires fulfilled or in bubble-bursting disappointment.
With the exception of the third and final Hobbit film, there is no movie that I have been anticipating as much in 2014 as Guardians of the Galaxy.
Although set in the Marvel Universe, Guardians looked to be less of a comic book film and more of a fun-with-a-capital-F science fiction adventure. With an imaginative set of characters, a cast filled with personal favorites and stunning special effects, it promised to be the ultimate summer popcorn flick.
Marvel Studios kept their promise, my bubble is firmly intact.
Guardians of the Galaxy is a rollicking good time. It is a film chock-full of the ingredients that make for movie magic and every one of those elements is present in the perfect proportion to leave you both satisfied and ready to try it again.
You don’t have to be familiar with the Marvel Universe to enjoy Guardians of the Galaxy. While there are details galore that tie into the history of the comic book and film stories, that minutiae is woven into the overall film structure in such a way that you either don’t realize you are missing something or you simply don’t care. It is apparent from just after the opening scene that those in charge of bringing Guardians to life emphasized that this film needed to be FUN.
And FUN it is.
Humor is a very prominent element is the success of Guardians of the Galaxy. Clever dialogue and smile-inducing visual cues are abundant and yet the film never feels as if it is aiming for farce. The heroes of this piece are a true band of misfits and yet early on you begin to connect with them as they face their troubles with sarcastic wit. It is that connection with character that makes Guardians special.
The cast is a nice mix of genre regulars and heavy hitters, with Chris Pratt in the lead. I wonder if the filmmakers felt any risk in casting an actor like Pratt in the lead, over someone whose name alone would bring viewers to the theater. Having enjoyed him in Parks and Recreation and more recently as the scene-stealing single father in the Vince Vaughn comedy, Delivery Man, Pratt was one of the big draws for me. He delivers every moment that he is on the screen. And the rest of the cast is equally effective. Zoe Saldana is fast becoming a genre film favorite and here she is a strong and skillful, as well as gorgeously green, heroine in Guardians. Perhaps most impressive, though, is the actors who were virtually unrecognizable.
Doctor Who fans have to have to be thrilled to see their beloved Amelia Pond, Karen Gillan, as the bald and blue Nebula. Lee Pace, who himself is becoming a favorite for fantasy film lovers with his role as the Elf King Thranduil in The Hobbit trilogy, is only barely recognizable as bad guy Ronan. But Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper are the most fun in providing voice work for entirely CGI characters, Rocket, the Racoon, and the walking (but barely talking) tree creature, Groot. I think it is proof that the idea and the script for this film were strong that actors like Diesel and Cooper lent themselves to characters that in no way visually reveal who the actors are. It would be tempting to say they steal the show, but honestly all five heroes, including a muscular and surprisingly humorous Dave Bautista, are golden on screen. As an ensemble piece, Guardians of the Galaxy gives fair time to everyone, and its writers and director clearly understand the idea that the sum is greater than its individual parts. This cast shines brightest when they are all together, riffing off one another.
I am a big proponent of not spoiling the theater-going experience for those who take the time to read my blog. In wrapping this up I will state that the action is well-balanced with the humor, the special effects are outstanding, and the story that unfolds is tremendously satisfying. Guardians of the Galaxy can be looked at and enjoyed as a stand-alone film, while also fitting as an odd puzzle piece in the overall Marvel Studios canon. There are tons of visual treasures that will reward multiple viewings and I look forward to an extras-filled (fingers crossed) blu-ray version in the future.
In the meantime, I highly recommend seeing this on the BIG screen. It is a visual delight. I would be happy to see this one again…and again.
Carl, I have to be honest with you. This is not a movie I planned on seeing, but your write-up is so enticing that I will have to reconsider.
There are few writers in the national circuit of reviewers who can compare with your quality of writing. I always enjoy reading your posts, regardless of my interest level in the books or movies you are writing about.
Looking forward to your next post….
If you are in the mood for a fun sci-fi flick, this is it. The humor is so clever and the movie has such great pacing. Our theater, though not full, was very vocally engaged throughout laughing and cheering.
Glad to hear from you again (and to connect on FB). Its been too long!
This is the one my wife and I have been waiting for to see in theaters this year. So glad to see it meeting its lofty expectations. I’m a big Pratt fan too and will go check out Delivery Man. Hope you’re doing well Carl.
Delivery Man seems like it would be a very dirty movie given its premise, but thankfully it is a very sweet, sentimental and funny film that is very pro-fatherhood.
It has been a good Summer. Not all that I anticipated, but that is a good thing. God is doing some interesting stuff. 🙂
Oh, this sounds like fun! I don’t read comic books, but have enjoyed the films inspired by them.
It really is JenClair. I was so pleased with the result of all the work that went into it.
I’ve paid so little attention to movies this year, that I hadn’t even heard of this one until I saw an online review a few days ago. That prompted me to watch the trailer, and it does look fun. Lots more fun that anything else I’ve seen recently. Hmmm…given your review I might just have to make this a see-in-theaters movie.
I saw a trailer for this one a looong time back and have been excited about it ever since. It hits all the buttons that made me fall in love with the genre as a kid and sitting and watching this one had me high-fiving my inner child. 😉
I went and saw this Saturday and it was so much fun! I had to resist tapping along to so many of the songs (so I wouldn’t annoy anyone). I’m so glad I read your review and that it promoted me to make the trip to the theater.
Glad to see that you liked the movie AND that it is fun. I did not know much about this before your review. Enjoyed your post very much.
Thanks Tracy. It was a treat, and thanks for the nice comments, glad you enjoyed the post.
Will definitely be going to watch this. Thanks for the great review. Made me more eager!
Lynn 😀
Let me know what you think! Hope you have as much fun as we did.
I saw this one today and really enjoyed it. It was exactly what it set out to be, fun, cheesy in places, but always entertaining. Loved Groot and Rocket. They were brill
Couldn’t agree more, Fence. So happy you enjoyed it too. I’d love to see it again before it leaves the theater.
I am crazy excited to see this film. What am I waiting for? Thursday!
I was too…and am kind of crazy excited to see it again.
First, welcome back Carl.
I agree with your review. Lots of fan nods (so many pop culture references) that make you smile or laugh out loud. It was nice to Karen Gillan as Nebula (a brief glimpse on the trailer was all we saw up until the movies release). I think the fact that my 18 year old and I both laughed out loud at the same comedy says a lot about the writing. The CGI characters are getting better and better, I think the Raccoon dialog and expression made it so realistic.
I also plan to take my 16 year old next weekend.
Thanks Ian! Good to come home again.
Fun that you get to share this with your kids…and get to do so twice!
It is crazy how my expectations changed on this one. I joined many in the scoffing at announcement; a talking raccoon, this is how far down Marvel has to dig?
Then the first trailer came out and I have been begging my wife to take me ever since.
LOL! I hadn’t heard anything about it before seeing the first teaser trailer, and that hooked me right from the start. I think you should grab the wife tonight and head out to see it!
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is a fun Summer Movie. I enjoyed it as much as you did. A sequel is schedule for 2017 (why is it taking so long?). My only quibble is that they need to come up with better music for that cassette tape (and where is Chris Pratt getting the batteries for that Sony?)
I enjoyed the music myself. I’m not the biggest fan of 70’s music, but there is a lot of good stuff and it reminds me of my childhood.
SPOILER: I was really hoping for some Footloose at the end.
still happily anticipating this one. glad to hear it exceeds expectations and I stopped there… though I have to share that every time I see/read reference to Guardians of the Galaxy, “Hooked on a Feeling” pops into my head–few films have done that to me, and none really of late. guessing that seeing the film will not make the song go away.
I know, I’m the same way. Its humming through my head right now. So in answer to your question, “no, it will not make it go away”. 😉
I caved after two days of peer pressure and saw Guardians in a packed theater at 10am on Sunday. Going in, I thought it looked cheesy. Cheesy can go either way. It can be lots of fun or it can be fodder for an MST3K episode. I’m really glad it was the former, because I don’t think my husband would have let me live down a talking raccoon movie otherwise.
I’m happy that you caved to peer pressure! Peer pressure is good! 😉
It was indeed the right kind of cheesy. It was fun rather than farce and though it laughed at itself it was still celebrating this kind of genre film rather than lampooning it. I think that is one of the reasons it is being raved about.
Fantastic review. 🙂 I had been a bit of a doubter when this was first announcement but I fell in love with the first teaser trailer and knew I had to see this film as soon as it came out. It IS tremendously fun, as you say, and I loved the array of colorful characters. All five of the Guardians had their moments in the movie and the performances were incredible.
I loved the attention to detail in the world building too. There is so much variety and they do a fantastic job of making these sets and landscapes come to life. I was left feeling the way I did when I saw the Star Wars movies for the first time as a child – that my imagination was racing and I could imagine so many other fascinating stories to be told in this Universe. I can’t wait to see what GotG 2 will bring!
Thanks Aidan!
I agree that all five had their moments. I think the writers/director managed that so well.
I’m loving the Star Wars comparisons. Although they are different films in terms of the way they are approaching science fiction (in terms of humor), I can certainly see how the film generates those comparisons. I felt similar. Not as much as I did when I saw John Carter, which for me left me feeling a huge Star Wars nostalgia.
We went to see The Guardians Sunday afternoon. My favorite line was the black light/Jackson Pollack quip. Loved Groot!
I know, wasn’t that great? Gross, but great!
I was waiting for this for SO LONG as well – and I saw it on release day. It did not disappoint, that’s for sure! 🙂 I absolutely loved the humour, the visuals, the amazing soundtrack – it wasn’t perfect, but it was as you said, just pure fun.
The cast were just brilliant. Having only seen Chris Pratt in Parks & Rec (an absolute favourite of mine), it was fun to see him play another kind of lovable doofus!
Also I’ve been non-stop listening to Hooked on a Feeling since about January.
You really should take the time to watch Delivery Man when you get a chance. It is a very sweet, loveable film and Pratt is fantastic in it.
Every time I come back to reply on this post, Hooked on a Feeling instantly starts playing in my head. 🙂
I am so glad to hear from you that this is fun. A coworker saw it and thought it meh but I trust your word on it more than hers!
I’m sorry for her that she didn’t enjoy it more, it is so much fun.
I loved this movie, and Groot really made my heart melt, but then I have a soft spot for trees. 🙂 It was definitely great fun and I wouldn’t mind watching it again.
Have you seen “Hercules”? That was fun too, quite unexpectedly.
I have not, but I heard from a friend that it was better than expected and worth seeing. And I like The Rock.
I finally got a chance to see this on Monday and it was such a treat. Sheer enjoyment. Groot. Oh, Groot. I need more Groot.
Groot is fantastic, isn’t he? Glad you were able to get out and see it. 🙂
This looks great and has such amazing reviews. Will definitely have to go and watch it.
Glad you enjoyed it so much.
Lynn 😀
Heh, I also reviewed this, but mine wasn’t as glowing. :p I’m usually a huge Marvel fan (cinematic universe, I haven’t read any of the comics), but I was a bit disappointed by this one. The humor worked much better for me when it was mixed with all the other elements that make the Marvel movies so good for me, but there were a few genuinely laugh-out-loud funny moments (the leg, mostly :D). I didn’t hate the movie, I still enjoyed myself, but I didn’t love it as much as the other ones. Except for Groot, whom I adore. I guess it just had a very different feel to it – which is totally fine and I’ll still watch future movies, but for me it was mostly some fun to tide me over ’till the next one instead of a GREAT OMG I LOVE IT SO MUCH movie in its own right.