Mostly spoiler-free review of Guardians of the Galaxy, short version:
Thor 3: Footloose meets
The Expendables 4: Avengers, in Alliance-controlled space.
Longer version: enjoyable and very Different action-movie that repeatedly shoots itself in the foot--by taking too many cues from Avengers, while wasting the momentum of its plot at inopportune moments with poor direction and editing--but nevertheless succeeds thanks to inspired casting, goofiness and a freakin' awesome soundtrack. That it succeeds despite lacking the Avenger's characterization- and story-advantage--of having entire movies as backstories for all protagonists--and featuring one-too-many performances of "O-o-h Child" is testament to the strengths of the movie's unique character. I enjoyed it thoroughly, even in 3D, and am really looking forward to the sequel =)
The actors and their interpretations of the protagonists really carried the movie. I came in expecting to be
mehed by most of their performances but was pleasantly surprised by all save for Diesel-Groot. Chris Pratt, striking a perfect balance between kickass pelvic sorcerer and sad intergalactic loser, was perfect for the role of Star Lord. I can almost forgive him for not being Nathan Fillion
Zoe Saldana is an actress I usually don't like, partly because I usually see her in poorly written roles, partly because she always seems to have the same irritating expression of barely-suppressed hemorrhoid-induced rage. In this movie, she played a tormented and angry alien assassin, but she also gave Gamora a human dimension that made her character the most well-rounded of the protagonists. Rocket, whom I expected to be annoying, got uneven lines but was great overall, esp. when he was allowed to show some real emotions (Cooper's voice I coulda done without). Groot... well, as a CGI-character he was okay, and he was totally rad in his action scenes, but I think his awesomeness had been unjustifiably hyped and Diesel's voice-acting... well, it was what it was (which was Groot
). He redeemed himself towards the end, however.
The standout performances were by Nicole Alexandra Shipley as Pretty Xandarian, Michael Rooker as Yondu, and Dave Bautista as the ultimate straight (and insane and vengeful and muscular) man Drax the Destroyer. I was thrilled by Bautista's performance! I especially liked how, despite being metaphorically handicapped, nothing ever went over his head. He was also responsible for making something watchable and interesting out of Lee Pace's shortchanged Ronan the Accuser. What a shamefully wasted opportunity that one was, but I guess this movie was not really about the villain anyway. Thanos (come on, everyone knows he's in this movie) was cartoonish and kinda shit. I'm sorry but he really was and I don't look forward to seeing him in any future movies that aren't directed by Whedon.
This movie was often more plot than story, but I liked this first proper look at the MCU on a cosmic scale, esp. for the information about the overarching storyline that I presume will tie many of these movies together. I'm looking forward to seeing what Agents of SHIELD will make of it as well
anyway, go see it.