Guardians of the Galaxy
Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Lee Pace
Directed by James Gunn (Super)
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language
Digging deep into the Marvel universe for some of its more obscure titles, Disney and Marvel pull out this comic which teams up 5 very unlikely heroes, including a talking raccoon and a walking/talking tree, who task themselves to save the galaxy from the likes of an evil alien who wants to rule it.
From the very first shot, this movie wins you over . Without going into too much backstory or exposition, the film tells you all you need to know to get you going. You might not know the leading character, played here brilliantly by Chris Pratt, but you sure do empathize with him. And that’s what wins you over regarding the entire team. While each is deeply flawed, they also have had a very, very tough life and a good heart, making them heroes you can truly cheer for.
Of course it helps that the characters are superbly written here by director James Gunn and Nicole Perlman. And it also helps to have the perfect cast, which they most definitely do. Pratt, with his hot looks and witty sense of humor is an excellent counterpart to the sexy yet deadly Saldana, who trades in her Avatar blue for a new shade of green. And while no one in the past has ever accused WWE wrestler David Bautista of being a real actor, here he proves his worth as the muscle bound alien who seeks revenge against the man who killed his wife and daughter. Rounding out the team are the voices of Bradley Cooper as Rocket Racoon and Vin Diesel as the tree Groot, both of whom steal the show as they recreate the Han Solo/Chewy vibe for a new generation.
While the characters aren’t new and original, they certainly feel that way here on the big screen. You get the sense that you are experiencing something truly creative and breathtaking as you watch the heroes fight the villains in ways you’ve seen before but seem fresh here.
What ultimately makes this movie succeed, though, isn’t the originality or the special effects (although they don’t hurt), but rather its smart sense of humor. Experiencing this movie is like going on a date with a super model only to find out she or he is a member of Mensa and a stellar stand up comedian to boot. What sounds too good to be true comes to life here before your very eyes. A