Welcome to my MCU Rewatch, where I write an analysis of the MCU movies in the order of theatrical release. In this installment, I talk about the endearing nature of lovable assholes.
Release Date: 4 April 2014
Distributor: Disney/Marvel
Director: James Gunn
If there was one main, overarching plot throughout the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, what would it be? The arc of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) who will always be there to right your wrongs? The durability of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) who will also be there to right your wrongs? The bumblings of Thor (Chris Hemsworth) as he continues to be fairly aloof about events on Midgard/Earth?
Nah. The real story to follow is that of the Infinity Stones. So far, we’ve encountered a grand total of three: the space stone (Captain America: The First Avenger), the mind stone (The Avengers), and the reality stone (Thor: The Dark World). Guardians of the Galaxy introduces the fourth stone, the power stone. And it does it by also introducing a team of bumbling outlaws trying (and only sometimes failing) to do the right thing. After more than ten movies about people on the right side of the law, we get to follow people on the other side.
That is only one way Guardians of the Galaxy is so refreshing to watch. Here are some other ways.
It Leans into the Comedy
Ever since Tony Stark made his first quip in the “Fun-Vee” back in Iron Man, the Marvel films have been toeing the line of comedy. Funny bits occurred in every film, from Tony’s selfie with a soldier in his opening scene to Black Widow’s casual remark about SHIELD’s intel trending on Twitter. Now we have a film dedicated to making the audience laugh and putting the characters into zany situations.
The comedy of Guardians of the Galaxy is best summed up by my favorite quote:
“I’m going to die surrounded by the biggest idiots in the galaxy.” – Gamora
And idiots these people are, even Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and his gadget-building skillset in his own way. What makes them endearing is their earnestness. Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) may have earned his name by destroying things, but he’s also the man (er, alien?) who takes metaphors literally. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) has a big ego but an even bigger heart. Groot (Vin Diesel) is the best of them all and everyone knows it. How can we not love these idiots?
It Almost Parodies Space Opera as a Genre
The audience has seen superhero films. If they’re fans of superhero films, they’ve also seen other science fiction classics like Alien, Starship Troopers and the titular Star Wars and Star Trek (whichever version). This movie could have taken that legacy seriously, but it doesn’t. It kind of mocks conventional space opera tropes. The soundtrack is entirely from Earth and vintage, with pop music from the 1960s and 1970s. It knows the audience will expect one thing and then do the complete opposite.
Take a look at the second scene, where Quill is walking through some old ruins to the orb holding the power stone. He gets to a certain point, puts on his headphones, and starts dancing to his music as he’s going. Because in reality this job is nothing but a job and jobs are kinda boring. When he finally gets the stone, he’s found by some flunkies sent by Roman the Accuser (Lee Pace). They ask who Quill is. Quill says he’s Star-Lord, but no one knows that name.
In another movie, Quill’s Star-Lord moniker is known and respected (or disrespected by some important parties who will come to respect the name) across the galaxy. In another movie, Gamora does not have to constantly yell to get her friends to do the right thing for once in their goddamn lives.
But this isn’t another movie. This is the freaking Guardians of the Galaxy.
(Arguably) Most Engaging of Phase 2
Overall, with the exception of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy is the most put-together movie in Phase 2. The pacing is great, the cinematography beautiful, the characters endearing and engaging. It’s the best film not set on Earth (so far) and one of my favorites.
What really takes the crown is the soundtrack. When it’s orchestral, it’s epic and calls to mind The Avengers from Earth. The soundtrack’s real charm is the pop music. Every single song on this soundtrack is a danceable jam and I love it.
Stay tuned next time for some gross mis-characterization in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Random Thoughts from Guardians of the Galaxy
- This movie only pretends to have a dark and edgy color palette but it’s actually one of the most colorful movies in all the MCU.
- We’ve met two children of Thanos in this movie and they both intended to betray him so good job on loyalty Thanos. Quality parenting, man.
- I know this is a movie and it largely ignores the laws of physics because SCIENCE FICTION and what-have-you but it bugs me to no end that Peter Quill lacks adequate space gear. Like, his mask doesn’t cover his entire head, does he even have gloves? Is a leather trench coat enough to keep your body together when thrown into the vacuum of space? HOW HAS HE NOT BOILED ALIVE YET?
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