If Pixar made a live action film, this would be it.

Rating: 9/10 (2 August 2014)

Back when it was announced that Guardians of the Galaxy would be an upcoming Marvel film, me, as well as many other fans asked the same thing: why? These are characters that people, outside of the comic book community, don't know at all. So pretty much for me the days leading up to the films release I was excited to see this film but due to my lack of prior knowledge of these characters I wasn't so sure if the film will hit well with me. I'm glad I've been proved wrong!
At this point we shouldn't doubt producer and head honcho of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Kevin Feige and his abilities of gathering the best talent to develop movies for him. James Gunn is without a doubt an amazing choice for the directors chair. Gunn clearly knows that many people have no clue who the f##k this clan of misfits are yet he makes sure that each member had their moments of fame.
It's pretty obvious that Gunn has drawn inspiration from Star Wars and Indiana Jones. I also saw a little hint of Back to the Future, The Goonies, and even many Pixar films as well. From it's opening scene alone has Indiana Jones written all over it. As Peter Quill enters the dark tombs he knows for certain that any misstep can be failure for him. This plays just like how the opening for Raiders of the Lost Ark as we first meet Indy. However, I don't recall Indy dancing through the caves and traps.
Chris Pratt is without a doubt the perfect casting choice for Peter Quill/Star Lord. His charismatic energy embodies the character and gives us all a good look on what a likable hero should look like. Pratt reminds me of a classic 1950's actor: He is an entertainer, period, and he has achieved that he has (Yoda voice).
The rest of the casting all around were perfect. Zoe Saldana as Gamora, the Guardians answer to Black Widow. Dave Bautista as Drax, who ended up surprising me. The biggest standouts to me however were the voices of Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon and Vin Diesel as Groot, and let me say I never got tired by his only line "I AM GROOT". It was risky for Marvel to roll the dice on a property very unknown to general audiences, let alone the fact that two of the characters are a CGI animated talking raccoon that shoots guns and a talking tree. And to think we got this before a live action Wonder Woman. But in the end Gunn has successfully made this weird duo work. The fact that I find myself caring for a gun holding raccoon and a talking tree says a lot and Gunn made it believable and lovable.
Out of all the MCU films released, so far Guardians of the Galaxy had the most heart. I found myself nearly tearing up within the first five minutes just like how Pixar's Up got me. It's without a doubt my third favorite film in the MCU series (after The Avengers and Captain America: The Winter Soldier).
9/10
-Gerry T