Guardians of the Galaxy review - James Gunn's sci-fi romp is Marvel's finest, but is still reminisce

(Picture from Marvel)

Writer of dire doggy films, Scooby Doo 1 and 2, James Gunn is out to vindicate himself as a director – and as a respectable human being. His adaptation of Guardians of the Galaxy has been deemed risky, due to the comic book’s relatively unheard of status – but that pleasingly results in an unpredictable treat. With the addition of the “awesome mix” soundtrack, this sci-fi romp has the characteristics to be Marvel’s brightest gem.

An opening sequence backed by 10cc’s ‘I’m not in love’ gets things off to a promising start, but it’s not long before we are reminded of the superhero flic format. The attempt of an origin story is just embarrassing, ironically leaving the film in need of rescuing. Luckily a bulked up Chris Pratt comes dancing onto the screen – presumably trying to shake off the rom-com and TV series stigma attached to his career – and has the audience laughing within seconds. He’s aided tremendously by yet another great song selection in Redbone’s ‘Come and get your love’.

Pratt plays Peter Quill, or as he so desperately wishes to be called, ‘Starlord’. He’s a self-proclaimed legendary outlaw who stumbles upon an orb, sought after by blue-skinned bully, Ronan. The terrifyingly named villain wants the infinity stone inside (a hint that this franchise may one day tie in with the Avengers) in order to, unsurprisingly, destroy the galaxy. After being arrested with talking raccoon, ‘Rocket’ (Bradley Cooper), his tree man companion, Groot (Vin Diesel) and green-skinned assassin, Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Quill finds himself as part of an unlikely team to take down Ronan.

In prison the quartet find the final member of their group, an oddly painted maniac named ‘Drax the Destroyer’, played by WWE star, Dave Bautista. The professional wrestler is the surprising source of much of the film’s humour, stealing the show with his weak grasp of metaphors. “Metaphors go over his head,” says Rocket. “Nothing goes over my head… My reflexes are too fast. I would catch it.”

Guardians of the Galaxy is as much a comedy as it is an action-packed thriller, and Pratt’s Quill embodies that. He plays the loveable rogue like Han Solo, putting cockiness even into the way he slaps an enemy’s head to the side with the barrel of his gun. It’s the break he needed: undoubtedly set to wipe out his reputation as the ‘didn’t he play what-do-you-call-its boyfriend in that comedy?’ character.

From this supposed ‘risk’, Marvel might have learnt that they can do sci-fi better than superhero – even if the difference between the two is miniscule. Gunn makes violence funny again, and even manages to make a talking tree loveable with just the three words it can grumble: “I am Groot”. But most satisfying of all is this film’s self-awareness. Clichés are promptly addressed, particularly in the “I will fight with you” scene where all the characters stand and Rocket sarcastically remarks: “Happy? We’re all standing now. Bunch of jackasses, standing in a circle”.

Guardians of the Galaxy is however, dangerously frenetic, reminding us how easy it is for a Marvel film to go wrong. And the increasingly popular sky battle climax makes yet another appearance, leaving us craving something cleverer. Thankfully, a strong chemistry amongst the cast and an unforgettable soundtrack prevent this from being just a highly saturated version of Star Wars.

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