Guardians of the Galaxy is an Epic Space Adventure

The much anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy movie gives Marvel fans a reason to rejoice. Based upon a comic book story most are not familiar with by Arnold Drake and Gene Colan from 1969, bringing new characters into an already amazing franchise definitely means one thing. ComiCon events next year should have plenty of new costumes for fans and cosplayers to enjoy if our media preview was any indication by the excitement of taking pictures with an amazing Groot, Star-Lord, and Gamora.

Chris Pratt plays Peter Quill but just wants to be known as Star-Lord. No one has heard of him before. No one. Director James Gunn introduces a young Peter with an emotional beginning but still leaves surprises up until the very end. Although Pratt may not be remembered for a lead role in a film before, Disney fans will recognize him from Delivery Man with Vince Vaughn. Pratt was born to play Star-Lord. It will be hard to top many films after this one, especially with his dance moves and a nod to Indiana Jones with his satchel.

Awesome Mix Vol. 1 tape plays a critical and hilarious part in the movie that fans will enjoy while explaining to their children that they used to have one too. Turns out a  superhero movie is all it takes to show your kids that you really are a cool parent.

Vin Diesel plays the voice of Groot, who surprisingly is my favorite character in the movie. A gigantic tree digitally mastered who only says three words has the ability to say so much more in what he does for others. Even though we only hear “I am Groot” there is a different conversation with Rocket Raccoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper, who somehow understands what Groot means and just cannot say it. Rocket Raccoon is smart, funny, and ready to take on the world.

Gamora played by Zoe Saldana is mysterious and we do not know very much about her past or whether Quill should trust her and form an alliance with Groot and Rocket to deliver the orb after they are arrested by Nova Corps.

From the moment you first see Drax the Destroyer, played by Dave Bautista, one thing is clear. He is not a man you want to mess with. He remains shirtless throughout the entire movie and most things go right over his head but he lends a heavy hand to assist in the great escape so Star-Lord, Gamora, Groot, and Rocket can ensure the orb is delivered to the right person as Drax seeks to get revenge.

Ronan, played by Lee Pace, and Nebula, played by Karen Gillan, are the evil forces of the world that desire to have the orb for all the wrong reasons and fight to obtain the orb in order to rule the world. Michael Rooker plays Yondu Udonta perfectly. Even through his smiling blue face a simple whistle can mean the difference between life and death, which Star-Lord knows all too well.

Stan Lee makes his usual cameo appearance but after such an amazing cameo in Captain America: The Winter Soldier I had high hopes for this one after hearing him talk about it at Phoenix ComiCon. Although hilarious, sadly the role written for his cameo did not live up to expectations perhaps because we do not hear his voice. Hopefully the story line in the next movie gives Stan Lee a proper

Other notable characters central to the story are Korath played by Djimon Hounsou who brings the audience such laughter with just one word that it is hard not to like him and Glenn Close who plays Nova Prime the leader of Nova Corps. John C. Reilly plays Corpsman Dey, the man who arrests Star-Lord but young fans will recognize his voice from Wreck It Ralph. From the first glimpse of The Collector, played by Benicio Del Toro, in the bonus scenes from Thor: The Dark World he has been an anticipated character to meet but wish his scenes had been longer.

There are some disturbing scenes in Guardians of the Galaxy that are similar to those of Avengers, Iron Man 3, and Man of Steel but mostly the rating is for the language. Our of all of Marvel’s recent films this one has the most language that some may find offensive, including sexual references. Most are just one word with awesome comedic timing but is the reason for the PG-13 rating. Thankfully my children only picked up the line “We’re the freakin’ Guardians of the Galaxy” from the 17 minute preview, which unfortunately is not actually in the movie.

Although most Marvel movies have one or two bonus scenes, during the media preview we did not see any. Either they kept it from us or there is not one. Either way, it is best to stay all the way through the credits, as any true Marvel fan already knows to do. At lease you get to see the fun disclosure: “No raccoons or tree creatures were harmed during the making of this film.” As guests of Radio Disney for the red carpet event we were able to see the bonus scene that does occur after all the credits have rolled, although I’m not sure it was worth staying for. SPOILER: Three words for you: Howard the Duck.

With an exciting story line that feels like a beloved 80’s movie and a perfect cast, Marvel fans will love welcoming new unlikely superheros and villains in this hilarious action filled movie as we look forward to more from the Guardians of the Galaxy.

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[quote]From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team—the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits—Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand—with the galaxy’s fate in the balance. [/quote]

Guardians of the Galaxy is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action and for some language.

Images courtesy Walt Disney Studios and Marvel. Used with permission.

Media tickets to an advanced screening were provided to facilitate the Guardians of the Galaxy review.