The tenth film released under the Marvel Cinematic Universe banner “Guardians of the Galaxy” introduces audiences to a new aspect of the comic mythos. “Thor” introduced other realms populated by ultra-powerful alien beings, and “The Avengers” pitted Earth’s mightiest heroes against an alien invasion. “Guardians” takes the story out into the far reaches of space, finally giving audiences the chance to see more of these cosmic realms.
The film opens with the young Peter Quill coming to terms with his mother’s death. He barely has time to register this tragedy, however, before a band of intergalactic pirates abduct him from Earth. Quill thrives with this band of misfits, and decades later, he styles himself the Star-Lord, intergalactic rogue and master thief.
After the botched burglary of a powerful artifact, Quill finds himself on the run. On one side, his former mentor Yondu set the living tree Groot and the psychotic Rocket Raccoon, a pair of bounty hunters, on his trail. On the other side, Kree warlord Ronan the Accuser sent the assassin Gamora to end his career once and for all. Further in the shadows, the titan Thanos watches as events unfold, seeking to control the artifact for his own purposes.
A massive public battle sees Quill and his pursuers incarcerated by the Nova Corps. While in jail, Quill makes a deal with Gamora, Groot and Rocket to sell the artifact and double-cross everyone. They all escape with the aid of a fellow inmate, Drax the Destroyer, only to find themselves the most wanted beings in the galaxy. The fugitives are left without allies and face betrayal at every turn as they try to find a way to rid themselves of the powerful artifact.
“Guardians of the Galaxy” represented a major risk for its filmmakers. While the movie fits into the Marvel Cinematic Universe chronology, it lacks any real, distinct connection to previous films. The only link is the post-credits scene from “Thor: The Dark World” in which the Asgardians entrust the Aether to The Collector, a powerful being who maintains a museum filled with powerful oddities. While the Guardians will no doubt play a role in the future of the Marvel films, audiences unfamiliar with these characters face a relatively blank slate coming into the story.
Fortunately, the inspired casting and writing is enough to engage even those with no comic background whatsoever. Chris Pratt shows off his considerable comedic chops as Peter Quill, infusing the character with enough charm to win over any skeptics. Zoe Saldana plays Gamora with a fierceness that would come natural to the universe’s greatest assassin, but she manages to show off a heart of gold as well. The computer-generated duo of Groot and Rocket Raccoon steal most of their scenes, with Rocket voiced by Bradley Cooper and Groot’s everpresent “I am Groot,” the only line he can speak, delivered with surprising nuance by Vin Diesel. However, Dave Bautista’s Drax proves the biggest surprise of the film. His performance shows off a surprising aptitude for comedy, especially given his character’s dark and dour backstory.
The primary villain of the piece is Lee Pace’s Ronan the Accuser, played with the accomplished actor’s usual intensity. Fresh from her stint on Doctor Who, Karen Gillan takes the role of Nebula, Gamora’s adopted sister and an assassin in her own right. Behind the scenes, Josh Brolin lurks with menace as Thanos, although it’s clear he will have a much greater role to play in the years to come. The supporting cast includes Michael Rooker as Yondu, Djimon Hounsou as the hunter Korath, Glenn Close as Nova Prime and Benicio del Toro as the Collector.
The action in “Guardians of the Galaxy” is fast and furious, and it will thrill anyone who grew up during the science fiction boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s. It’s also one of the funniest of the Marvel films, poking fun at the “epic space hero” genre while the characters are, in fact, trying to save the universe. Perhaps most importantly, the film expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe considerably, opening up a nearly unlimited vista of alien races and worlds that all could play roles in upcoming storylines. Comic fans will find plenty of Easter eggs and in-jokes to enjoy, not the least of which is a post-credits scene that may be the most audacious gag in the history of comic adaptations.
The law of averages would suggest that Marvel Studios can’t keep putting out blockbuster after blockbuster. Eventually, they’re going to take a swing on a property and miss. This movie, however, is a home run. “Guardians of the Galaxy” will appeal to hardcore comic fans and casual moviegoers alike, and it is sure to whet everyone’s appetite for next summer’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”