NEW MARVEL FILM, FAN GIRL MOMENT.
I've been having slight Marvel withdrawal, the last one in cinemas was Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and although I've been re-watching The Avengers movies I have felt like something new was needed, very desperately. That said, I didn't realise I was in fact expecting GotG to be "another Avengers" until I was watching it, but more on that later.
Seven word synopsis: Criminals relied upon to save the world.
First things first, the soundtrack. Might not seem an obvious choice for the first order of business, but it's INCREDIBLE. (I'm listening to it right now and singing along to Come and Get Your Love by Redbone is thoroughly brightening my Wednesday.) It's not just there for you to bop along to in the action sequences; it also frames the story and is an integral part of the emotional impact of the film. Often, it is the superbly chosen song which brings a smile to the face as equally as the dialogue.
Speaking of (brilliant segway there), this film is so unbelievably funny! I literally cried with laughter at so many points. Lots of the humour is to do with the nuances of the characters with we see in ourselves or in people we know, such as Drax the Destroyer taking everything very literally with no understanding of metaphors or sarcasm - we all have that one friend... There were also tears shed of a different kind. Prepare yourselves to be emotionally attached to a character you will not expect to steal your heart.
And then there's the character portrayals, oh my life. I cannot praise Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel enough for giving their voices to Rocket and Groot, and making a talking raccoon and tree seem the total norm. Zoe Saldana is in there, doing it for the girls, being a totally kick-ass fighting machine who might not be as tough as she thinks, portraying Gamora with a slight vulnerability that only makes us admire her more. And then. There's Chris Pratt, Peter Quill, Star Lord, the main man as it were. I wish I could be friends with this guy (both the character and the actor) because he is just brilliant. Quill is a balance of adorable bumbling idiot, sassy cool kid and sensitive gentleman, with each side of his personality pyramid having their moment in the spotlight. I could see how he may become slightly grating on some people - someone I knew who saw it didn't like him at all - but for the most, he's the best kind of boy-next-door.
Expectations? Well, as I mentioned, I didn't realise what I was expecting until it wasn't what I expected (I'm pretty sure that makes sense). I think that maybe I was expecting "another Avengers", with GotG being a buddy-ensemble movie, but the tone is entirely different and obviously brilliant, once you adjust to it not being the same as the Avengers. To describe the difference... Imagine the Avengers are your A team, your star players, each with their own fans, their own individual sponsorships and their own egos. Put them all together and you get a neatly packaged, shiny parcel with lots of ready-made followers and plenty of fireworks to entertain the crowds. Now, the Guardians of the Galaxy, they're your B team, managed by the same club but sat on the bench. Some lean forward, watching the game eagerly, dreaming of their turn; others slump with their arms crossed, a permanent frown showing everyone how little they want to be there. However, despite this seemingly rag-tag collection of individuals appearing to have little/nothing in common, when it's their turn on the pitch what they can do together is a lot more fun to watch than the A team, if not as polished. But rough-and-ready is the new perfection, I think.
Aahhh I haven't talked about baddies and this is already a super-long post! Um, so, Lee Pace (who you won't recognise) is Ronan, one of those destroy-the-galaxy-based-on-a-really-old-grudge types, and his right hand is Nebula, played by Karen Gillan - who appears less than I expected given the amount of media hype surrounding her addition to the cast. And, there's another baddie, who will be recognised by Marvel aficionados...
Verdict
Go and see this film. Right now. Stop what you're doing, head to your local multiplex and see this movie. I don't care if you're by yourself, I don't care if you're in your pyjamas, SEE IT.
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| Image credit: Marvel, Instagram. |
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