Everything is Awesome Mix Vol. 1
Swift shot: Freakin’ Fur-flying Fantasy! James Gunn directed the only Summer blockbuster of 2014, and it might even surpass The Avengers, yea, it was that good! With a heroic heart and just enough comedy to lighten the mood from time to time, Guardians of the Galaxy is the only film you’ll really give a shit about this summer. I had the pleasure of checking it out in IMAX 3D, and it was just the ticket needed to enhance the spectacular visual effects.
Peter Quill is alone in the universe, kidnapped as a boy from Terra, or as we know it, Earth, he has been raised by a group of Ravagers led by Yondu (Michael Rooker). Yondu is a fair, but firm, space scoundrel who demands discipline and novelty bobble-heads for his ship’s dashboard. He’s bright blue, but he ain’t no Smurf! As far as a father figure goes for Quill, AKA Star Lord (Chris Pratt), Yondu sufficiently prepares him for all the perils of the universe. Quill is no angel, either, if he wants something, be it a shiny object or a piece of tail, he goes after it. Early on, he learned that life is short and to enjoy every minute of it while you can. He fancies himself the quintessential space outlaw . . . with a Walkman.
Meanwhile, Ronan (Lee Pace) is a Kree radical who is not happy about the Israeli-Palestinian, err, I mean Xandar-Kree peace treaty, and he demands venegeance for his fathers and their fathers . . . and so on. He is a really nasty guy who employs a nasty vixen, Nebula (Karen Gillan) to do most of his reconnaissance work. Ronan wants to destroy Xandar. Ronan doesn’t think they have a right to exist and wants them all exterminated. But, he’s not officially affiliated with Hamas/Kree anymore, so, let’s not blame them . . . ok? Anyway, to destroy Xandar, Ronan has made a deal with Thanos (Josh Brolin) to retrieve a special orb. [Swift aside: There were times when I felt the film was channeling Star Wars, The A-Team, Indiana Jones and Heavy Metal, and really, what the hell is wrong with that?!?! It made the movie such a thrill!]
As fate would have it, Yondu has been tasked with retrieving the same orb and sends our hero, Quill to get it. Gamora (Zoe Saldana) is a “daughter-of-Thanos” that has tricked Ronan into thinking she is getting the orb for him, and ultimately Thanos. Now, the classic race for the mcguffin is joined. Thanos wants the orb, Yondu wants the orb, a special collector wants the orb, and once the audience finds out what the orb actually is, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen next.
Enter Rocket and Groot, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel respectively. Rocket is a genetic abomination, a mix between a Terran raccoon and some other bits and pieces, most definitely the kind of crap that sticks to your skin on a muggy, miserable day. Groot is a tree, but that’s simplifying what Groot brings to the film, he is the strong, stoic protector of Rocket. And, Rocket needs a lot of protecting, because he was created without a speech filter. If he has a thought, he’s going to share it, and you most likely won’t like what he has to say. He’s the Han Solo of the bunch, out for money, he has been hired to gather back Quill who is taking far too long for Yondu’s liking to retrieve a simple space ball. Rocket is exactly as you want him to be if you read the comics, he hates everything, except for Groot and credits.
When Gamora, Quill, Groot and Rocket all meet for the first time, they are quickly hauled away to prison, The Kyln where they must work together to escape. In The Kyln they meet Drax (Dave Bautista) who wants revenge on Ronan for murdering his wife and daughter. Drax was one of my favorite characters in the comic, because he takes everything literally, he doesn’t understand sarcasm or word-play. So, if you said “Are you pulling my leg?” he’d simply reply, “No, I am not pulling your leg.” And James Gunn has plenty of fun with this quirk throughout the film. Not much of a spoiler alert, but the five do manage to escape The Kyln and possess the orb. Once they have escaped space prison, the adventure really begins.
And that is what you get with Guardians of the Galaxy, one rootin’ tootin’ space quest with all sorts of flora and fauna. With enough 80’s references and a classic rock soundtrack to boot, Guardians is layered for repeat viewings.
It’s really just a fun film that you should see in theaters, and enjoy all the laughs, maybe some tears and definitely the firepower!!!
