Guardians of the Galaxy: Is Plot Dead or Just Different?

 I originally started this blog in an attempt to get some semi-serious conversations going regarding my favorite goings on in the pop cultural landscape; here's my attempt to respond to, what I feel, is an unfair criticism of Guardians of the Galaxy; feel free to weigh in:

A Recent LA Times article accuses Guardians of the Galaxy of lacking a substantial plot.  Granted, it has a clear MacGuffin but that doesn't necessarily make a story perfect; as a recent episode of The Big Bang Theory pointed out even the greatest MacGuffin movie of all time has an major flaw in its plot:

I suppose you could argue that Raiders isn't about what happens to the Ark but about the characters but, really, what effect does the quest have on Indy? Is it really transformative in any way? How is he different in any way by the end of the film? In that respect the first two sequels, Temple of Doom and Last Crusade, are clearly more successful.  However, what Guardians does share with Raiders that I think is worth mentioning is this: they both introduce us to the characters and their world.

I think that what the author fails to realize about Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers and most of the Marvel movies is that they are not stand alone films--- nor are they meant to be.  When viewing a fresh addition to the franchise, it is best to view it more as the first episode of a TV series.  Yes, the first Avengers can also be guilty of the absence of plot that was noted in Guardians as can Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor --- however, once we get to the films in what is being called Phase Two of The Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, there is clearly a plot developing for each of these characters.  In fact, as I have pointed out before, Iron Man 3 works as a sort of 'season finale' for Tony Stark and, when viewed in the context of the first two Iron Man films, you get a fully realized story-arc.

So, I guess what I'm saying is this: don't dismiss the Guardians yet--- as the franchise develops (as all the Marvel Cinematic Universe films develop) so will their plots.  They're not absent, they're just decompressed; an entire story doesn't have to fit in one film anymore... or even within a single franchise. As we see more films, we will see more grounding in plot. Perhaps I'm more used to this idea because I grew up on comics--- I know what it is like to follow characters and see them develop over months or, even, years.  I also know how seemingly disparate plot points in different titles can lay the groundwork for concepts that payoff in a culmination of sorts among different franchises.  In fact, the practice has become downright exhausting in recent years.  However, thus far the Marvel films have done an excellent job of providing films that work by themselves but also feed into a larger world that they are building. 

Guardians of the Galaxy: Indiana Jones + Star Wars + Comic Books = Awesome!

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?

The Guardians of the Galaxy Trailer

What can I say about this trailer?  I love it.  After seeing this, it may, now, be the movie that I am most looking forward to this summer.

First of all, let me state that, before seeing this trailer, I was not at all familiar with the latest incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy that has been appearing in Marvel's comics for the last few  years (after seeing this, I did read a couple of issues from the 1st series and the 1st trade from the current series). But, this just looks like it's going to be so much damned fun!

As a sci-fi aficionado, my preferences has always been for the space opera over the hard sci-fi that more "serious" fans of the genre tend to prefer; I am a Star Wars kid and, as such, I'm more concerned with cool-looking spaceships and strange alien creatures than I am with how the hyperdrive works.  That spirit of adventure and excitement (which a Jedi does not crave) seem to be present in spades in Guardians.

Like most Star Wars fans, I was not as enamored with the prequels as I was of the original trilogy. It felt like there was something sorely missing.  That something, as far as I am concerned, was there Han Solo.  Not the literal character, mind you, they were missing someone that could be that voice that would remind us, "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."  Han Solo grounded the original trilogy; Yoda may have told us not to crave adventure and excitement, but Han still showed us much fun it could be.

This film's Han takes the form of Chris Pratt's Star-Lord (who, from the trailer, it appears is only a legend in his own mind).  Pratt is the perfect choice for this role; not only is his comic timing-impeccable (something Parks & Rec fans are more than aware of) but there's something about him that makes him immediately lovable.  He exudes niceness, even when he's playing a guy who is obviously supposed to be kind of a rogue.

While we are introduced to all the Guardians in this trailer, Star-Lord is clearly the focus; we are even given some hints of his back-story when we see his rather territorial reaction to anyone fiddling with his 1980's-era cassette Walkman. I'm sure the reason for his sentimental attachment to such an archaic device while being an intergalactic outlaw will, ultimately, be explained in the film (most likely a bittersweet relic of sorts from his childhood) but, even without that information, it can't help but make that character that much more endearing.

Also, while The Avengers gave us earth's mightiest heroes, the Guardians are a group of outcast and misfits and, at the end of the day, that's what I think will allow it to distinguish itself from the rest of the pack. After all, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away it was a farm boy, a fugitive princess, a smuggler, a wookie, and a couple of bickering droids who managed to take down the empire. JJ Abrams, this is your competition.