Ooh, child. This started as a simple review, intended to be posted the week after the movie was released… but, before I knew what was happening, I had way overshot my self-imposed deadline and was staring down the maw of a 10 page beast. Believe it or not, there are still bits I actually left out of this. Those might be posted at a later date. For now, I hope you enjoy my full and (mostly) unabridged thoughts on a comic book movie with a talking raccoon.
What was cool about seeing Guardians of the Galaxy, for me anyway, was that despite being extremely well versed in Marvel comics, I actually got to experience it from a rare and coveted perspective: that of a typical moviegoer.
I’ve never read a Guardians comic, nor any of the main cast’s solo adventures. The only character I knew anything about was Rocket Raccoon, and only then because his name has been a rallying cry to drum up support for his ailing creator, Bill Mantlo. (Which, if you’re reading this, please read this article by comics scribe Greg Pak to learn Bill’s story and see how you can help.)
Going into the movie, I knew almost nothing about Star-Lord, Drax, Groot, or Gamora, but I did know a little something about Infinity Gems, Celestials, and the Kree… so I got to experience a brand new story with no preconceived notions about how the characters were “supposed” to be behave, while still being able to delight in the small background flourishes. It was, without a doubt, the sweet spot for viewing this movie, and that alone made it one of the most exciting and satisfying experiences I’ve had with with a comic book movie in… well, ever.
So, yes, Guardians of the Galaxy is a wonderful flick, which should surprise no one. As of this writing, the movie is ten days old and making All Of The Money, so if you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve already seen it.
And if you haven’t seen it, you should. Because, again, if you’re reading this blog, if you’re enjoying Reckstar, it probably means Guardians is in your wheelhouse. If you’re still on the fence — maybe you’re burnt out on superhero movies, or you’re afraid of it being all flash and no substance — consider the following:
Guardians is NOT a superhero movie. Not really. It’s no more about superheroes than are Star Wars, Firefly/Serenity, Farscape, or The Fifth Element.
Guardians is SPACE-OPERA, through and through. That’s what really distinguishes it from the rest of Marvel Entertainment’s cinematic catalogue. Not only did the studio take a risk at the height of their success by giving one of their least-known properties the big budget treatment, they did it while stepping away from the formula that’s brought them all their success. Each of their previous films dances within a different genre; just this year, we had the Marvel superhero version of a tense political thriller (two, actually, but I’ll touch on that later), and before that, they brought us three techno-thrillers, an alien invasion, a war film, and two epic science fantasies (emphasis on the “fantasy”). But, each of those stories had, at its core, a distinctly superheroic premise: a man is granted abilities beyond that of mortal men, and uses them to become a defender of the people.
It’s that trope which Guardians steps away from. Sure, each Guardian (with the exception of their fearless leader) is endowed with a little more intelligence, a little more strength and speed, than mortal men, but they are surrounded by alien races who can all do the same or similar, which raises the standard for physical ability in their world and, more importantly, levels the playing field. What’s more, the way each Guardian initially uses their ability is anything but altruistic. Gamora uses her cybernetically enhanced strength and agility as an assassin. Drax is a super-strong killing machine hellbent on revenge. Rocket is a certifiable genius who drinks too much and hunts bounties. And Groot… well… Groot is Groot.
And then there’s Peter Quill, who calls himself Star-Lord, not the way Peter Parker calls himself Spider-Man, but more the way William McCarty called himself Billy the Kid. Quill is an unrepentant thief and womanizer who owes allegiance to no one but himself. We’ll get back to him later.
The point is, if you get more pleasure from spaceships and aliens than you do from capes and tights, Marvel has made this movie for you.
And if you prefer the thoughtful spectacle of Joss Whedon, Guillermo Del Toro, or Edgar Wright over the mindless spectacle of Michael Bay or whatever director is imitating him this week, then Marvel has REALLY made a movie for you.
So, consider this your spoiler-free review: Guardians of the Galaxy, while not a perfect movie, is a delightful gem of space-faring comedy and adventure. Filled with music, color and surprising emotional complexity; populated by flawed, lovable, memorable characters; lovingly nodding to forebears of the genre while staking its own claim in the grand, fictional cosmos, and reminding us how much damn FUN space ships and laser guns can be.
See it twice.
That’s not all I have to say about this movie, but it’s all I can say without giving away key plot points, so this is your warning:
Beyond this point, there be SPOILERS.
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