Review // Guardians of the Galaxy
EPIC.
Image © Marvel Studios//Soundtrack available on Amazon
I'm listening to the Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix Vol. 1 as I write; the groovy tunes are blasting in my ears and I'm loving it. It's Epic. That's pretty much how I would sum up Marvel's film "Guardians of the Galaxy." While I am predominately into spreading pixie dust and sparkle, there is a side of me that secretly is all about busting some alien booty or morphing into something really rad.
James Gunn and the amazing cast of the Guardians did an excellent job of bringing the script to the screen. I wonder what the pr company thought of as I wrote my first comments at the press screening. I mentioned something about it being a "heartfelt, action-packed" film. Is there such a thing? Well, there is now. I've always been a HUGE XMen fan, secretly wishing that I would become Storm and wake up changing the weather. Or there was the time that I could shift shape like Chameleon. In case you didn't know, there's a another side to this little Disney pixie. You've been forewarned.
So while watching the movie, I laughed, jumped at 3D flying objects, and I cried (within the first 5 minutes). Just from seeing the trailers and the 17 minute preview, I had NO idea I was going to be going on an amazing roller coaster of emotions. Mind you, I might be a little more dramatic than the average cult follower of the Guardians. However, my emotions help me navigate through life. If I don't feel anything, that means it didn't affect me. I felt like I could really connect with the characters and their emotions. I was living in the film. It was that real and the emotion portrayed by the actors was that good.
Check out this featurette where the cast share a little bit about their characters and the film... This will help you get a better idea of the plot. Then, continue reading :)
The Orb
It all started with an orb. Well, it started with Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and his family, but in terms of the Guardians' beginning, it started with an orb. Specifically, a stolen orb. The beginning footage of Quill dancing, singing and hopping his way to this interesting artifact sets the tone for the hilarious antics that would soon ensue. This orb brought together the Guardians of the Galaxy. I'm excited to see where it takes them in the sequel.
Image © and courtesy of Marvel Studios//Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Love or Action... or both?
It's hard to stick in love and action within a film, usually one or the other ends up cheesy and very scripted. James Gunn & Marvel did an amazing job with casting and playing out the script. Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana had great chemistry as Peter Quill and Gamora. It was a perfect balance between an unlikely (although pretty predictable once the movie got deeper) love story and kicking a lot of alien tail. While we see the romance of Quill and Gamora, we also see the love that the Guardians ultimately have for each other. An unlikely group of friends that met in prison are united to save the galaxy.
Image © and courtesy of Marvel Studios//Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
I am Groot; Rocket rocks.
Groot (Vin Diesel), stole the film. Without giving you too much of a spoiler, let's just say that his heart seriously is moving. He might be a life form of very few words and a limited vocabulary, but his heart... Man, he had me in tears. I'll be sharing more thoughts on Groot in another post. He really captured my attention! He might be one of few words, but as they say, actions speak louder!
Image © and courtesy of Marvel Studios//Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Rocket (Bradley Cooper) can be one stubborn alien-like raccoon. But he is bad ass. Yes, he is. He cracked me up the entire film and while he seemed to be hard hearted, he really loves his family, the Guardians. It takes a little bit for him to stop being "all about the benjamins," but he comes around. He's pint sized, but packed with a lot of punch (and ammo).
Drax the Destroyer!
I had no idea who Dave Bautista was until this movie! I'm not really into wrestling or fighting, but I have to say that regardless of anything else said about Dave's role in the film, HE DID AMAZING. He was on point with his acting; I was in stitches with his literal outlook on life throughout the film. He really brought Drax to life and all of those hours in the makeup chair really paid off. He looked phenomenal.
Image © and courtesy of Marvel Studios//Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
“Former WWE champ Dave Bautista endured a 4-hour daily session in the chair, or rather on foot, as he could not sit during the process. It took a team of five makeup artists to complete Bautista’s makeup application, which consisted of 18 pieces for the body and face. By the end of shoot, [He] had totaled about seven entire days in make-up.”
