Courtesy photo
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]arvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy hits theaters on Friday, but is already catching major buzz, and for good reason. While, clearly, it remains to be seen if it is the best film the legendary comic book imprint’s studio has ever produced — and if it can get the diehard fans flocking to theaters, giving the box office that shot of adrenaline it’s been yearning for this summer — Guardians definitely has all the right ingredients.
Based on an iteration of a cult Marvel title, first published back in 1969, Guardians chronicles the adventures of space outlaw Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) who was taken up to the heavens by aliens as a boy — mix tapes and walkman in tow — after the death of his mother.
Quill grows up to be an interstellar pirate reinventing himself as the cocky “Star-Lord.” Out to immortalize his name, he gets more than he bargains for when he steals from a barren planet an orb , which (surprise) contains the power to destroy the galaxy!
Suddenly a wanted man, the would-be Star-Lord must team up with his pursuers-cum-cellmates, and cobble together 12 percent of a plan, to keep the orb out of the hands of Kree warlord Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace), who does the bidding of the tyrant Thanos. Ronan gets the orb, Thanos will destroy Ronan’s enemies: Xandar and the Nova Corps.
Cast, special effects and story are in top form, making for very organic and layered characters, despite the bizarre environs and cartoon plot. Horror veteran James Gunn (of Slither fame) directs with gusto, plus reverence for the source material — and its readers — deftly blending sci-fi/action/adventure elements with melodrama, comedic charm, and pop-culture savvy.
There is a plethora of treats for fans, notably Thanos, who (now sporting a familiar baritone) plays a bigger role after appearing briefly at the tail end of Avengers.
But the ultimate show-stealer is the duo of Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel); respectively, a trigger-happy raccoon who likes “the simple things” — i.e., dishing out punishment — and an anthropomorphic tree of few words with a heart of gold. Like a contemporary C3PO and R2-D2, theirs is a frictional yet moving chemistry.
The only flaw in an otherwise well-crafted, entertaining superhero flick is WWE star Batista as Drax, who manages less range than Arnold.
Nevertheless, Guardians will keep you riveted and chuckling — see it, but don’t worry about staying for the credits.
