I am Groot.
Those are the best and really the only words to describe my reaction to last night's debut of Guardians of the Galaxy, the latest of Marvel's ventures into the unknown and mysterious. I realize that if you have no knowledge of the movie or the characters, that the words may not be the best way to describe it. Basically there is a talking tree in the movie who communicates, Chewbacca-style, using only the words "I am Groot" and his companion, Rocket Raccoon, (yes, a real raccoon who can speak) can decipher the meaning each time, again Han Solo-style. So what I'm saying, Groot-style, is that was AWESOME.
Before you click off of this review because of the ridiculousness of the last sentence just wait. The movie, the best reviewed Marvel and perhaps best reviewed movie this year, is a ridiculous riot of fun and you need to see it. Yes, you. Even if you've never seen a Marvel movie before this. Which you should be shot for but that's a different story all together. I sit here even now listening to the best soundtrack since Footloose to write this review. Which is ironic if you've already seen the movie. You'll thank me once you do for that unintentionally hilarious joke.
By now you've seen at least one promo for the movie, it would be impossible for you not to. The movie is a space opera, thrusting you into their world and doesn't really take a lot of time explaining to you what you are seeing. And that's awesome. It's visually one of the coolest movies I've ever seen, please spare me all the glorious praise of Avatar; I have never seen it and honestly I have no desire to watch a hybrid Pocahontas/Ferngully. Maybe someday. The real story isn't the worlds these characters inhabit, it's how 5 unlikely foes become friends, and of course a family. ::Cue the moan::
"Kate, we've seen this movie 15 times over." "Who cares?" "Isn't this just The Avengers in space?" Yes, you should, and no. First of all, every single movie you've ever seen can be traced back to one of the original seven movies. So nothing is original anymore. (That may be taking the point to the extreme but it's true. A Bug's Life is just The Magnificent Seven in animation and with bugs. Is your mind blown?!) You should care because this movie is one of the funniest and irreverent pieces of film to ever grace the screen and you'll be thanking me afterwards. And finally, no this isn't the Avengers. That movie is one of the greatest works of art ever (and I say that with no bias just because I worship at Joss Whedon's altar daily.) If The Avengers can be compared to Shakespeare, than the Guardians of the Galaxy is like Funny or Die; it shouldn't work but it does and it does it so much better than you'd ever expect.
I had the highest of hopes for this movie since I heard about the casting of Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord. Did I even know who that was? Not a chance. I have just always loved Pratt and knew this was his moment to shine. Then my mind was blown when the first trailer came out and for the next week I had "Hooked on a Feeling" stuck in my head and I was definitely not complaining. This week brought all of the reviews and I read just about all of them; not a single one had more than a passing negative comment to say. Could it really be that good of a movie?? ::Minor spoilers ahead::
The opening scene is probably the most emotional one of a Marvel movie and that is probably because it just comes right out of the gate and slaps you with the hardest blow a young child could be dealt with, the loss of a parent. After you've taken in that fact the movie switches gears and suddenly you are laughing harder than you though possible after such a shock. And the movie doesn't ever stop. Led by the brilliant Pratt, whose abs girls might be going to see only get a brief 15 second window and that is honestly not his biggest appeal (ok just kidding, its awesome), he gathers together his motley crew. Dave Bautista is the straight man Drax the Destroyer, not to hard to figure that one out. Zoe Saldana of course plays his potential love interest Gamora and you guessed it!, has ulterior motives for helping. The only characters who could steal the show from Pratt are Rocket Raccoon and Groot, the aforementioned creatures who are voiced by Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel. And they are AWESOME.
The supporting cast is well-rounded but not necessarily fleshed out. If you want to know more about Ronan or Thanos, go watch all the other Marvel movies or just hit up Wikipedia. The supporting good guys are just there to say what most people think about our main characters, primarily that they are A-holes and do we really trust them to save us? Well spoiler-alert: you do. Look for Easter Eggs in The Collectors lair and in the prison scene. There is also a hint as to the already ordered sequel and the post-credit scene, in my opinion, is less than lack luster.
Mind you, this is not the Avengers. The humor is crude and definitely not for young kids who missed most of Tony Stark's hilarious one-liners. These are not people you take home to your parents. Ever. And honestly? I would never want to. The movie is filled with hilarious one-liners that would not fly with other Marvel vehicles. The violence is there but to me wasn't any worse than the abominable destruction displayed in Man of Steel. (Obviously, I am still not over that wreck.) So perhaps go out on an adult date night before taking the impressionable kiddos. Seeing it twice won't hurt anything but your wallet and it's more than worth a second viewing.
Multiple friends have said that this is their new favorite Marvel movie. I have been asked the same question. I honestly can't say yet because of my deep love for The Avengers. I guess I'll be one of those people whose wallet hurts.
But it'll hurt soooo good.
