Guardians of the Galaxy
Director: James Gunn
By Alex Watson
Stan Lee and his Marvel Enterprise make their way onto our screens once more this week, but there is not Avengers present in this adventure. Guardians of the Galaxy has been one of this summers more hyped movies and so far it has promised great things with a new band of characters who have potential. But as they are outside the staple Marvel characters, will they be able to succeed with the fans?
When scavenger Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds a mythical object called ‘The Orb’ he firstly finds a bounty put on his head by his former mentor and rival, but also finds himself the target of Kree terrorist Ronan (Lee Pace) who wants to orb for himself to control the galaxy with Thanos (Josh Brolin). But through his misadventures, Quill will former an unlikely alliance with Thanos’ adopted daughter Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Raccoon Rocket (Bradley Cooper), Tree thing Groot (Vin Diesel) and convict Drax (Dave Bautista). Together, they might just be the universe’s only hope.
Guardians of the Galaxy is by far this summer’s most fun blockbuster and it has a playfulness to it that has been lacking in some of the more recent Marvel efforts. The moment we meet Quill lip syncing in a cave, the laughs and wise cracks begin early. Also the use of 1980’s pop culture references such as the Millennium Falcon and a cracking soundtrack make us smile all the more. Director James Gunn is an untested talent in these waters, but his smooth direction ensures a successful on screen adventure for our new heroes.
The bonding between characters plays a key part in the films humour. Thrown together by a bizarre twist of fate, their relationship comes alive during a daring but thrilling prison break. From there these tortured souls become an effective team. Rocket and Groot steal much of the films laughter (Groot’s three words never cease to be brilliant), but big lug Drax and his misunderstanding of metaphors is the one that really steals our hearts. Quill is an initially unlikeable leader due his quirky yet self centered nature. But as the film progresses, his begins to win our respect and proves to be a resourceful and brave figure for Marvel.
Although the villain Ronan looks the part with some impressive face paint, he doesn’t have the needed menace to succeed. His back story is underwritten and the hows and whys of his desired vengeance are a big mystery throughout. These elements combined make him rather flat and largely forgettable. Gunn also falls into the same trap that has befallen many before him, he sets his finale as a big air battle. Although this a solid ending, you can help feeling this is become a bit too much like a staple for this studio. But these errors aside, Guardians of the Galaxy has enough wit and enjoyment to make them forgivable.
Chris Pratt succeeds brilliantly as a leading actor and his comic charm helps Peter Quill along and makes him more memorable than anticipated. A solid supporting actor in movies such as Wanted, Moneyball and Zero Dark Thirty, Pratt proves he is up to the big task and this role could be the one that opens the big doors in future. Bradley Cooper on his voice along is excellent as the wise cracking Rocket. But he also brings a great sense of trauma and feeling to his role.
Former wrestler Dave Bautista proves to be the movie’s real surprise package and rather than just giving the picture its muscle, he able to raise his performance to a whole new level. Bautista succeeds in bringing an almost authentic protrayal of a man wanting vengeance but realizing it will take more than hard hits to gain it!
The Marvel enterprise has opened a whole level of new possibilities and Guardians of the Galaxy deserves every accolade bestowed upon it. Everyone may be counting down to the next Avengers movie in 2015, but I cannot wait to see another adventure from these guys.
Closer to the Edge 