9/10

The sure fire hit of the summer from Marvel Studios has hit, and the comic world on the big screen will never be the same. Guardians of the Galaxy stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, and voice work from Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel. They are known as the title characters in question, and are assembled when all are arrested during a raid for an ancient orb that has powerful gifts that come with it. I absolutely loved everything about this movie. When the credits hit, there was only one thing i had a problem with, but it’s so small in detail and contains spoilers so i’m not going to get into it. Instead, this will serve as a love fest for one of the best films of 2014. The performances are so good in plenty that it’s hard to only mention a select few. Pratt has the charisma of a 1950’s movie star and brings out so much of his personality in Jason “Starlord” Quill. He gives the movie it’s comedy which is hilarious well past the cute one liners you hear in most Marvel movies. Bautista is very surprising as Drax The Destroyer. We all know Dave can play action scenes well from his time in professional wrestling, but Bautista gives Drax a sensitive undertone from the death of his family that we can relate to such a maniac in devastating fashion. The absolute best part of the movie for me was played by a CGI raccoon known as Rocket (Voiced by Cooper). The things Bradley Cooper did with this character with only a voice are purely out of this world. It sounds nothing like Cooper and that is the most impressive thing when anyone does voice work. It’s hard to get lost in a character that you didn’t actually portray, but Bradley Cooper is the best part of this movie. In a group of tough individuals, it is Rocket Raccoon that is perhaps the most unstable with his “Never enough” kind of attitude. The makeup work and costumes are absolutely brilliant for this movie. Oscar worthy even because they bring to life the pages of a comic book that is over 30 years old. The special effects and CGI work are what give the movie it’s sparkle. Lots of wide shots at the beautiful planets that these characters invade are eye candy to anyone who appreciates places that we may not see in our daily lives, like me. The 3D did something different with it’s effects that i really enjoyed. Instead of throwing things at the camera like most films do, the 3D in Guardians of the Galaxy served more as a template for the beautiful colors and imagery that the movie had to offer. There were fireflies that were passing in front of our very eyes, as well as the ashes from constant heart pounding fight scenes that our main characters went through. I don’t often rave about 3D, but if you see one 3D film this year, it has to be this one. The soundtrack and score alike are the very best that film has to offer in 2014. The movie is kind of a calling card to the 70’s and 80’s music trends that Jason Quill grew up in. Everything from Southern rock to club beats of the pre MC 80’s era is to be heard through the headphones of a Sony Walkman. As the viewer, you will actually feel like it is you who is listening with the headphones, and it makes it easier to get lost in the story around you. The overall attitude of the movie is what really took this leaps and bounds above anything Marvel has ever created. It’s a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and i think that is needed. How many times can you see a smart or tough superhero go through the same similar story to the same results? Guardians has the most likeable and relatable characters (Minus Iron Man) that you will ever see. What’s most amazing about that is there are a couple of people in this group who can be deemed “Psychopaths”, so to make the character enjoyable without tiring the audience shows Marvel really took their time with this one, and it paid off huge. The movie also has some really enjoyable cameos that i am not going to spoil for you. I managed to catch most of them, but if i didn’t it only leaves the door open for 2nd and 3rd watchings in the future. The action and fight scenes are brilliant with lots of fancy gadgets that we aren’t used to in the comic big screen world because most stories take place on Earth. Overall, i think Marvel waited till the perfect time to release this movie. It’s the best Marvel movie ever (My opinion), but it wouldn’t have been as good with the technology of 1998 or 2002. I am strongly waiting for the sequel to this movie, and i absolutely recommend that you go all out and see it in 3D. Your eyes will thank you for the visual treat in front of you. Guardians of the Galaxy is the most fun you will have at the movie theater this Summer. The schedulers definitely saved the best for last, and it’s the most fun you have had in space since the original three Star Wars movies.