Review: Guardians of the Galaxy

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is a human soldier of fortune raised by opportunistic aliens known as Ravagers (One of whom is played by a very blue Michael Rooker). He thinks he’s a much bigger deal than he is, often annoyed that people have never heard of him by his other title, Star Lord. Basically, Quill is a flippant douchebag. Quill’s prized possession is the Walkman his mother gave to him with her favourite songs before she tragically died (In the saddest opening scene to a comic book film in cinematic history). His latest mission has him retrieving a mysterious orb, that others are seeking, including the villainous Ronan (Lee Pace). Quill is eventually arrested and imprisoned, with the orb taken away from him. This is where he meets the strange, disparate characters who will eventually become a band of misfits hell-bent on escaping prison and retrieving the orb before Ronan can get his evil hands on it. These characters are; Rocket (voice by Bradley Cooper), a diminutive and genetically engineered racoon who loves guns, Groot (voice by Vin Diesel) a tree-like creature with a seriously limited vocabulary, Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), essentially a Thing-like hulking brute who harbours a grudge against Ronan, and green-skinned Gamora (Zoe Saldana), an assassin of the same species as Ronan, but with wildly different morals. John C. Reilly and Glenn Glose play a military guy/cop and planetary leader, respectively. Djimon Hounsou plays a chief henchman, and Benicio Del Toro cameos as the oddball Collector, briefly seen at the end of “Thor: The Dark World”. 

 

Probably the best Marvel comics adaptation thus far, this 2014 space adventure from James Gunn (The disappointing “Slither”, the trashtastic “Tromeo & Juliet”) is also the least like any other Marvel film I’ve seen. It’s more “Battle Beyond the Stars” with tongue-in-cheek humour, than superhero film, and for me that helped make it stand out. I’ve not been the biggest fan of the other Marvel films (“Thor: The Dark World” being the only other one I’ve thus far liked), but this one was more up my alley. And when in the opening credits Chris Pratt was seen dancing to music emanating from his headphones…I felt genuinely, unabashedly happy. It’s a glorious moment, and the soundtrack choices throughout are mostly perfect. Hell, it made me like ‘Hooked on a Feeling’ for the first time in about two decades. We all hated that one in the 90s, right? Fucking dancing baby. Funniest of all is that Pratt has the worst song of all-time on his playlist: Rupert Holmes’ ode to awful pick-up lines ‘(Escape) The Pina Colada Song’. Meanwhile, one Jackson 5 number leads to the cutest moment in the whole film. You’ll want to hug the screen.

 

Pratt is actually perfect here as the Ryan Reynolds of Han Solo’s. Watch the film and tell me I’m wrong about that, I dare you. Pratt deftly walks a tightrope of smart-arsery without falling into ‘Will someone please punch this glib dickhead on the nose’. Robert Downey Jr., for instance, lost that battle. He’s well backed up by an interesting and eclectic cast, including Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper lending their voices to two pretty convincing CGI creations. Cooper’s Rocket is a fun character, and best of all you can’t really pick Cooper’s voice, or at least I didn’t. Groot obviously doesn’t give Diesel much to do, it’s probably the most thankless role of all-time. However, Groot sure does seem to be going through an existential crisis throughout the film, doesn’t he? Zoe Saldana somehow manages to be sexy as hell in green skin, and unlike “Avatar” you can actually see her. Hers is one of the most interesting characters in the film, nicely shaded. I must give Batista (Dave Bautista) credit here for making an immediate impression and being easier to take than in his most recent and ill-fated WWE run. He’s actually really solid here, and even funny at times. Playing a big idiot who actually thinks he’s smart is a funny idea. Michael Rooker is always good value, and John C. Reilly has a funny moment or two as well. Benicio Del Toro, meanwhile, gives the strangest performance of his career since “The Usual Suspects”. Unlike in that otherwise excellent film, the performance works this time. Djimon Hounsou is a tad wasted, though, which is a shame.

 

The one low point in the film comes thankfully at the end of the end credits with a random cameo by the title character from one of the biggest movie flops of all-time (Hint: Think George Lucas). Apparently the character turned up in the Marvel universe from time to time, but if he makes any more appearances in what I assume will be a franchise here, I’ll throw myself out of my bedroom window.

 

One of the biggest assets the film has going for it is its look. This is one bright, incredibly crisp and pretty film. It’s bright and colourful without going overboard into Joel Schumacher garishness. Based on the comic book created by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, the screenplay is by Gunn and Nicola Perlman. The film is nothing brilliant, but impossible not to enjoy. Bright, funny, and perfectly enjoyable space adventure entertainment. Along with “Thor: The Dark World”, DC’s “Green Lantern” and “Man of Steel”, and the likes of “Sin City” and “Watchmen”, this one stands out as one of the best modern comic book films. All it’s missing is a strong villain, otherwise pretty fun stuff for anyone who doesn’t have a pineapple up their arse or thumbs their nose at things like...fun.

 

Rating: B-