Awesome movie, Marvel exceeds expectations

Rating: 10/10 (2 December 2018)

Guardians of the galaxy starring Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, A.K.A Star Lord, Vin Diesel as Groot and Bradley Cooper as Rocket Racoon was a great movie. This movie started out in the 80's when Peter Quill's mother is sick. she asks peter to take her hand, but he is too afraid and pulls it back. Moments later Peter Quill's mother passes away. Peter runs out side extremely sad, when he is abducted. Flash forward twenty-six years, Peter Quill is on the planet Morag trying to steal the 'Orb" while listening to his Awesome mix tape no.1 his mother gave him. Immediately Peter is faced with people after him and the orb when he narrowly escapes. Peter tries to sell the orb but is unsuccessful. This is when Peter runs into Groot, Rocket Racoon and Gamora. Throughout the movie Peter is tested while trying to keep the orb out of the hands of Ronan. Not only is Peter tested but his friendship/ family bonds are tested with his new rag tag team tasked with saving the world.
The major theme of this movie is about family and this is shown many times throughout the movie. Right away you have Peter who seemed to have a happy family before it was torn away from him. He is then abducted/adopted by mentor Yondu. Peter shows that he has a very strong attachment to the mix tape of music that he had from his mother when he was abducted. Right away in the beginning of the movie you have multiple scenes that show up close shots of kids running happily with their pets and parents portraying a happy family. Shortly after the scenes of the happy kids and families Peter is united with his rag tag group that will eventually become is new family. This rag tag team made up of Star Lord, Groot, Rocket Racoon and Gamora are tested putting their friendships and trust in each other to the test.
It was interesting to note right away the film establishes the strong connection between Peter and the Walkman that plays the Awesome Mix Tape no. 1. In the middle of the movie you see this again as the mix tape is shown playing in the space ships cassette radio. Again, you see this same radio at the end of the movie when everything is in pieces the radio that was in the space ship seems intact.
Overall this was a great movie that I can see watching multiple times. There was the perfect balance between comedy and action. The comedy in the movie never reached the point where it would have made the movie feel cheesy, but instead fit in the scenes perfectly. The acting was great each character seemed to fit their roles very well making everything seem natural. The use of lighting throughout the movie was spot on always representing a contrast between good and evil. Each member of the team came from broken families, but after multiple tests this team of superheroes comes out as a strong and happy family.