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The movie that solidifiedMarvel ’s position as an infallible collision factorywas James Gunn’sGuardians of the Galaxy . A space - bound comedy about an obscure comic book property that includesa talking treeseemed sentence to fail , butGuardiansemerged as a huge loge office strike . The squad became a family name overnight andGuardiansremains one of the MCU ’s most beloved solo franchises .
It ’s a solid sci - fi escapade pic with a loveable cast of character anda bunch of riveting set pieces . Guardiansdefinitely stands among Marvel ’s estimable — and one of the MCU entries that could feasibly suit Scorsese ’s definition of “ cinema ” — but it ’s not without a duad of flaw .
Right: Refreshing Tone
In the summertime of 2014 , amid a stir of same - old blockbuster , Guardians of the Galaxyarrived as a veridical intimation of impudent airwave . Its step was unlike anything else , blendingthe high - stakes action of superhero movieswith the biting raillery ofIt ’s Always gay .
Throughout the past decennary , film drollery has slowly died out . Long gone are the days of the Zucker brother and Mel Brooks and even Judd Apatow . defender of the Galaxyprovided some much - needed laughs on the big screen .
Wrong: Setting Up Future Movies
There are integral scenes inGuardians of the Galaxythat are dedicated to setting up future movies , which tender other exposure for one of the MCU ’s shortcomings as a giant cinematic series . As well asGuardiansstands on its own , these scenes distract from the standalone dangerous undertaking and make it feel more likean “ episode ” in Marvel ’s declamatory arras .
Thanos lead nothing to the patch ofGuardians , and only appears as a stepping stone to his star role inAvengers : Infinity War . A lot of time is expend explicate the Infinity Stones , too , out front of their integral function in the wide narrative .
Right: Developing The Team Dynamic
When the Guardians are first throw together in the Kyln , they hate each other . But as they realize they have a end in vernacular , they reluctantly agree to work together . And by the end of the moving-picture show , this riffraff chemical group of loners has recover a surrogate family with each other .
Unlike a lot of MCU movies , the team does n’t just come together because they have to in time for a sequel . The squad dynamical doughnut true , and the character develop real bonds .
Wrong: Generic Villain
While the five heroes ofGuardians of the Galaxyare lovable , well - rounded , and perfectly cast , the movie falls short on the villain front . Ronan the Accuser adheres to all the hallmarks ofthe MCU ’s so - called “ villain problem . ”While Lee Pace is a great actor , he is n’t give much to work with .
He need to use the Power Stone to fellate up a planet , with indecipherable motivations beyond wanting revenge for a mistily defined political agreement that does n’t require the hoagy , and he ’s just generically malign .
Right: Awesome Soundtrack
The MCU is often criticized for have indistinct melodious scores . While moviegoers can hum the themes fromStar Wars , Indiana Jones , orJurassic Parkat the drop of a dime , it ’s tough to remember exactly how the music fromCaptain America : The First Avengergoes .
James Gunn fixed that withGuardians of the Galaxyby giving Peter Quill a Walkman and a mixtape entitled “ Awesome Mix Vol . 1 , ” licensingincredible track from creative person like Redbone , David Bowie , and the Jackson 5 .
Wrong: Substituting Pop Culture References For Jokes
Like the rest of the MCU , Guardians of the Galaxyuses come out culture references as currency . Sometimes , these references are used for smashing prank , like Quill compare his ship to a Jackson Pollock painting , but other time , the reference itself is used in place of a joke .
At one point , Quill says , “ So , this Orb has a genuine shiny blue suitcase , Ark of the Covenant , Maltese Falcon sort of vibration . ”
Right: Casting
As always , Marvel ’s spew genius Sarah Finn pick the perfect actor to bring each character to sprightliness inGuardians of the Galaxy . James Gunn was hesitant to purge Chris Pratt when he was only known forParks and Rec , buthe prove to be the ideal Star - Lord .
Zoe Saldana and Karen Gillan share tangible on - concealment interpersonal chemistry assisters Gamora and Nebula , Dave Bautista successfully made the unmanageable changeover from matman to actor by making Drax ’s infliction feel existent , and Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel each give surprisingly poignant outspoken performances as Rocket and Groot , respectively .
Wrong: Underusing Great Actors
The main heroes inGuardians of the Galaxywere brilliantly cast and those actors ’ strengths are utilized to their full potential , but there are some other great actors in the movie that are waste .
Glenn Close and John C. Reilly ’s Nova Corps characters never really get a chance to glow , and the heavy Benicio del Toro is used as a mouthpiece for exposition .
Right: Perfect Balance Of Heart And Humor
The biggest influence thatGuardians of the Galaxyhas had on the subsequent entries in the MCU is its comedic bound . But the movie is n’t 100 % mirthfulness . It has plenty of dramatic moments , like Star - Lord flying out into outer space to save Gamora , thatreally resonate emotionally .
However , there ’s always a joke around the quoin to keep the movie from disappear into heavy worked up territorial dominion . Gunn really nailedGuardians ’ proportionality of heart and humor .
Wrong: Predictable Ending
At the end ofGuardians of the Galaxy , the team patches things up with the Nova Corps and sets off on their next escapade , like how the first flick of any prospective enfranchisement would terminate .
The ending of the sequel , by demarcation , isa much more emotionally engross experience . It ’s impossible not to choke up during Yondu ’s funeral , and it makes you pitiful to be leave the theater .
NEXT : The Avengers : 5 thing It scram Right ( & 5 It bugger off haywire )
