While I knew very little of the current Guardians of the Galaxy team before seeing the trailer, I have had very high hopes for this film and it somehow managed to exceed them. In a way, that is to be expected; it is a team of comic book heroes that combines Star Wars with Raiders of the Lost Ark. There is no better recipe for a film that Scott will love! On the other hand, many lesser films have tried and failed in the past to create this formula and the results are usually a dismal failure(Ice Pirates, anyone?). Fortunately, James Gunn is just the mad genius to pull this off.Chris Pratt's Star-Lord manages to successfully merge Luke Skywalker and Han Solo into one character (which would actually make his most direct cinematic predecessor Bill Pullman's Lone Star from Mel Brooks' Spaceballs). Pratt is the perfect mix of comic charm and wide-eyed enthusiasm to make this character work. Rocket could very easily have fallen into being mere comic-relief (unintentionally if not done well) but Gunn goes deeper with the character. He doesn't even waste time doing this; all the depth Rocket needs is established by allowing us to linger for a few seconds on the character's bare-back to see the remnants of the experiments that made him what he is. Sure, the character makes you laugh but you're always laughing with him or because of him, never at him. Zoe Saldana's Gamora successfully passes the Sexy Lamp Test ... even if only barely (maybe she'll get a bit more development in the sequel). At first, Dave Bautista's performance as Drax the Destroyer may seem bit wooden but, as we soon learn that his species is one that sees the world only in the most literal sense, it actually makes sense in a way. And Groot, well, Groot is probably the most lovable sidekick to grace a space opera since R2-D2.
What more can I say other than the film manages to work on every level: it moves at a lightning pace but still manages to give us enough character development for us to be emotionally invested. It's fun and funny and never takes itself too seriously. It might be the best movie yet from the Marvel Cinematic Universe but, it doesn't even need to exist in that world; it's great on its own merits.
Also: Best. Soundtrack. Ever! (well, maybe not EVER but... still... pretty damned good). American Hustle drew songs from roughly the same era but Guardians' soundtrack crushes them like a grape: David Bowie's "Moonage Daydream" played over the team touching down in KNOWHERE (the decapitated head of an ancient 'Celestial' giant)? Yes, please! The Runaways' "Cherry Bomb" as the team suits up for the climactic battle? I'll take two! And just wait until you see how "Ooh, Child" is used!
Sure, Guardians of the Galaxy may have been conceived as a way to introduce the cosmic elements of the Marvel universe to movie-goers, but the film manages to do so much more. In fact, this might be the finest Space Opera to hit since a little story that took place a "A Long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...." I've said it before, I'll say it again, JJ Abrams had best be taking notes; THIS is your competition.
MAJOR SPOILER: So, does the post-credit scene mean we finally might get a good Howard the Duck movie?
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