Guardians of the Galaxy
I’m joining a group, Adults Against Adults Acting Like Children – AAAALC. This is ridiculous!
This movie has the opportunity (and it’s my dark horse pick) to be a classic. It balances action, beautiful cinematography, heroism, humor and rich characters to love and hate. It might fail to reach these heights, because it doesn’t have the wonder or the brand-new, innovative movie-making breakthroughs of a Star Wars or the intricate details of a cult movie, but it just might win the hearts of millions of fans. It’s really, really good.
It’s fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it’ll appeal to a wider audience than, say, Galaxy Quest or Bubba Ho-Tep. The heroic theme plays a little looser in this team setting than a lone hero movie like Batman or Spiderman.
There’s fighting, sci-fi techie detail and thrills and action, but also the odd and bizarre.
“I am Groot!” are the only words that the speaking plant/tree character (the voice of Vin Diesel) says. He speaks in tongues, basically (a single tongue, single phrase) and his raccoon sidekick (who, technically is his leader), Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper) has the ability to interpret what he says. The guy utilizes his three-word vocabulary, “I am Groot,” which Rocket explains are the only words he speaks — and in that order. It’s funny and odd. It reminds me partly if the cyclops in Beastmaster, who only has one wish (“ignorance”) and partly if the Indian chief in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (“…hmmm. Juicy Fruit!”). There is one moment where he says, “We are Groot,” which he states as he’s weaving a protective nest around his teammates. It also appears to be a self-sacrificial offering moment, which touches on that messianic and heroic hope of laying down one’s life for their friends. There’s another moment like that which goes there, too, from another character (but I won’t spoil that for ya).
And speaking of spoilers, there’s a special little cameo in the middle to the end of the credits of the movie, which is always fun.
I think that Marvel somehow bridges the gap between Marvel and DC with the sentimentality and the character development in this story. It seems more like a cross between the typical Marvel and typical DC comic style. The team approach a la Fantastic Four might be a close comparison. As you watch, you see the chemistry between Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) unfold, or Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) and the rest of the team. There’s comradery and humor, but doesn’t seem too forced.
I think it is a great movie.
Music makes some fun center stage cameos in this movie. The lead character wears a Walkman with the old Nerf foam headphones and at one point music plays a key role in showing how, in the wake of devastation and loss, music has a way of lifting your spirits and letting you know that there is more to this life than what just happened. It’s like an emotional anchor for the soul.
Some repeatable lines include:
“I will not succumb to your pelvic sorcery.”
—Gamora (which might be new ammunition for chaste girls to use against pressuring boys).
“Nothing goes over my head. I’m too fast. I would catch it.”
—Drax the Destroyer
You’re going to go see this movie, because the response will be positive and keep on growing until you do. Trust me.
For more info, trailers and such, go here.
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