Being a massive Marvel film fan, I have high expectations for each of their new films, so of course it was no different this time around. I’m not a comic book reader though, so I don’t have the background knowledge of each character that others may be aware of. That being said, Guardians Of The Galaxy
(Amazon link) is a pretty great watch for anyone.
‘Guardians’ does a lot of things right, and can stand up
alongside all the other Marvel films released so far. The action sequences and
special effects are superb (although I didn’t really notice the 3D) which is
especially important given that next to nothing occurs on Earth, which has been
the primary location for the previous Marvel films so far. Their universe has
expanded out into the galaxy, giving us new planets and races to see, and has
the feel of a Star Wars inspired space opera in many ways. The humour in the
film is also on point, and kept things grounded to prevent it from becoming
melodramatic or clichéd. I found myself alternating between a racing pulse and
hysterical laughter, and heightened emotions are always a sign of a good film.
The soundtrack is also great, combining epic orchestral scores with the songs of “Awesome Mix Vol. 1” that are so important to Peter Quill and his earthly origins.
The characters had many great qualities, which is important
when so many new ones were being introduced at once (unlike the Avengers who
had stand-alone films first). The Guardians have all the qualities of heroes –
bravery, intelligence, goodness – but are also selfish, aggressive and very
funny. They are not traditional heroes, but step up when it is required of
them. I would have liked to know a little more about their back stories, seeing
as I haven’t read the comics, and their character development was very
predictable, but they were likeable protagonists. I think Chris Pratt as the lead, Peter Quill a.k.a Star Lord, in particular, is utterly fantastic, equally comedic and heroic, and key to what makes this film so great.
The villains of the story are also excellent. Ronan is utterly
terrifying, and this exudes from every aspect of his demeanour – I particularly
liked his first scene, where he appears to be dressing for war and we see his
power and determination on display here, and throughout the film. Nebula is
also a strong villain, fearsome and malevolent. Her character arc is
interesting too, especially in comparison to her sister Gamora’s, and I’d like
to see more of her progression in the future.
Overall, Guardians
of the Galaxy is a thoroughly enjoyable film. Action, drama, humour and romance
are all present in a great roll call of characters, and the cinematic effects
are flawless. It fits in with the existing Marvel films, but is definitely
still unique and can stand on its own. And of course, it paves the way for more
films in the future and drops hints about what they may have in store for us –
something tells me we haven’t seen the last of Thanos by any means…