"NOTHING goes over my head!... My reflexes are too fast, I would catch it."
When Peter Quill (Pratt) steals a mysterious orb, he becomes a target for several groups. The orb is sought by Ronan the Accuser (Pace), a Kree warrior who needs the orb to destroy the planet Xandar. He sends assassin Gamora (Saldana) to obtain the orb. Quill is supposed to bring the orb to his mentor Yondu (Rooker) to take to a buyer, but Quill decides to collect the reward on his own. Yondu puts a sizable bounty on Quill, which draws bounty hunters Rocket (Cooper), a genetically engineered racoon, and Groot (Diesel). Soon Quill, Gamora, Groot, and Rocket are captured by Nova Corps and placed in a prison. In the prison they meet Drax the Destroyer (Bautista) who wants to avenge the deaths of his family at the hands of Ronan.
Gamora reveals that she has a buyer for the orb, who will pay a hefty price. They agree to team up to escape the prison and collect the reward. As they escape, Ronan and his forces, including Gamora's sister Nebula (Gillan), are hot on their trail. Can they stop fighting long enough to save the day?
This is the fourth film in Marvel's Phase 2, following Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Unlike it's predecessor's, this film had the added pressure to introduce audiences to a whole new cast of characters and a new world. And, the film had / has minimal ties to the other films and characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: the character of Thanos appears at the end of The Avengers and The Collector appears at the end of Thor: The Dark World.
The Guardians of the Galaxy comic series, created by Arnold Drake and Gene Colan, debuted in 1969 and ran until 1995. In 2008 Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning started writing a new volume of the series, with a new team. The series is an obscure Marvel property, but has a strong fan-base. The series allows Marvel to explore more of the universe that might not intersect as easily with the Avenger team. A sequel is planned for 2017.
I came into the film with minimal knowledge of the characters / series. My only experience with the Guardians of the Galaxy characters came from their appearance on the TV show The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (Season 2, Episode 6). I was pleasantly surprised by the film.
The cast and their portrayals of the characters are excellent. The film excels because it gives each of the Guardians a chance to shine and to be vulnerable. They are fully realized characters that make you laugh and cry. Chris Pratt, who is one of my favorite characters on Parks and Recreation, is the perfect lead here. His Peter Quill / Star Lord is charismatic and funny, and you understand why others would follow him. Zoe Saldana again portrays a strong warrior, while still making you care for the character. Dave Bautista is soulful and intense as Drax, while still providing comic relife. Bradley Cooper is hilarious as Rocket, talking a mile a minute. Vin Diesel infuses so much into the character of Groot, although he only says "I am Groot", he is able to convey so much. Lee Pace is intense as Ronan and Benicio del Toro is over the top as The Collector. Karen Gillan's Nebula is an intriguing character and hopefully she will appear in the sequel. Djimon Hounsou and Michael Rooker as welcome additions to the cast.
The visuals and effects are incredible. The soundtrack is full of popular songs from the 1960s and 1970s, along with a great score by Tyler Bates. Everything about the film works and once again proved that Marvel knows how to take risks and deliver quality films.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) 121 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language
Director: James Gunn
Starring: Chris Pratt as Peter Quill
Zoe Saldana as Gamora
Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer
Vin Diesel as Groot
Bradley Cooper as Rocket
Lee Pace as Ronan the Accuser
Michael Rooker as Yondu Udonta
Karen Gillan as Nebula
Djimon Hounsou as Korath
John C. Reilly as Corpsman Dey
Glenn Close as Nova Prime
Benicio del Toro as The Collector
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