Savannah Mailloux
Staff Writer
Guardians of the Galaxy, directed by James Gunn who wrote for Scooby Doo: Monsters Unleashed and Dawn of the Dead, soared into theaters on August 1, 2014. A blockbuster space adventure headed by Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation, Zero Dark Thirty), who plays Peter Quill, has accumulated $611.5 million at the box office worldwide. With an MPAA rating of PG-13, it remains kid-friendly but still engaging in the script and plot development. Other stars in the film include Zoe Saldana (she seems to enjoy having her skin painted, based on her role in Avatar) as Gamora, Bradley Cooper voicing Rocket, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Vin Diesel voicing Groot, and Lee Pace (The Hobbit, Lincoln) as Ronan. With a sequel already slated for 2017, it is sure to be another Marvel franchise worth seeing.
The film starts off with background on the character Peter. His mother died in 1988, when he was a young boy, and he is then abducted by a group called The Ravages. The film picks up 26 years later when Peter, now known as Star-Lord, takes a mysterious orb from the planet Morag. The action develops from there as villains, such as Ronan, seek the orb for revenge in their own respects. Rocket, the raccoon, and Groot, a walking flora, are two partners who want to catch Peter because a reward is provided. Gamora is sent by Ronan to retrieve the orb, and there is an attraction between her and Peter. With the galaxy’s fate in Peter’s hands once he realizes how important the orb is, he must protect it. It is especially important that it does not fall into the hands of Ronan or his ally, Nebula.
Unquestionably, Guardians of the Galaxy is a science fiction adventure vastly different from other Marvel films.
The soundtrack is the main component of the film that made the experience enjoyable. Titled “Awesome Mix Vol. 1” and Awesome Mix Vol. 2,” it includes 1970s hits to furnish a wave of nostalgia. From Peter dancing to “O-O-H Child” by The Five Stairsteps to “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede in the film trailer, Director James Gunn encapsulated the love Peter’s mother had for him before she died. Adults and teenagers alike will be jamming to the two soundtracks, available on iTunes if you have not already downloaded it. When interviewed by Rolling Stone magazine, Gunn said, “I also think people are hungry for good, old-fashioned, well-crafted pop songs that exist outside of any sort of imposed hipness or irony.” Clearly Gunn’s song choices worked out well because the soundtrack managed to top the album charts. Buy it or Star-Lord might just come after you.
The characters also had their own unique qualities. Although he only said the same three words throughout the film, Groot captured people’s hearts for being a gentle giant. This is proven when he sacrifices himself so Rocket, Peter, Drax, and Gamora could live. It also does not help that he muttered “we are Groot” at the end of the film. (Cue the aww’s.) Drax adds humor and amusement because he uses words that seem too large for his form. It’s a general reference to the phrase “brawn with no brains” but apparently nothing goes over his head. Watch out, guys. Gamora is also someone to fear considering she was trained as an assassin. Infamously titled “the deadliest woman in the universe,” she develops a soft spot for Peter as the film progresses. Compared to other female characters in science fiction movies, she is not predictable. She knows how to defend herself and get what she wants.
Rocket, the loud-mouth raccoon, is the architect in the film with his knowledge of weaponry. Produced from various biological experiments, Rocket has a certain edge to him compared to other characters. He is bitter and angry from being experimented on and fuels this with his natural sarcasm. Although most would simply think of him as an unrealistic creature, he displays very human abilities and emotions. Altogether, this wild bunch seeks to protect the galaxy from evil doings.
Guardians encourages the not-so-expected heroes of society. This was considered a risk to produce for Marvel but it certainly paid off based on the revenue accumulated and the emerging fan base. With a pint-size, talking raccoon and a green-skinned assassin, James Gunn pulled out all the stops for this science fiction adventure. Get ready to blast the soundtrack in your house for the next couple of months, guys. Guardians of the Galaxy is an action-packed movie experience for adults and teenagers alike.
