It's Okay, But It Is A Very Familiar Marvel Story Could Have Been Better.

Rating: 7/10 (6 May 2017)

Another Marvel picture to expand their universe a little more. However, this didn't live up to the hype or the fanboy hysteria, well, not for me.
I have to say though the special effects crew were running on all cylinders as the visuals are truly spectacular and as close to flawless as you could get. It was pretty difficult to see where the CGI kissed the reality. Much respect for the crew.
Respect too to the Director James Gunn who did a splendid job keeping the action flying and the drama, what little there was, at a steady pace and flow.
However, I would have liked the formula to be a little different as it ran straight in line with all the other Marvel films. As soon as they knew they had a winning formula with Avengers Assemble their team movies have kept to that style, which unfortunately is running thin.
As for the characters, they could be interchangeable with others from the movie universe. Personally, I would have loved to see the original version of Star-Lord who was a much stronger character than the one here, who is a cross between Steve Rodgers and Tony Stark... He even had the ego and nerve to call himself "Star-Lord" - what an arsehole. This should have been the title handed down to him from his father, who was a Universe Policeman. It also would've been nice to have had his original ship as it was a living entity and a character in its own right - but no, we stick to the formula.
Gamora was just a green skinned Black Widow... with some of the same moves.
Drax was a less powerful Hulk. Though he had the inevitable "The bad guy killed my family" scenario, where the Hulk's incentive is to SMASH... Drax has the same compulsion but to KILL.
The best thing, by far, were the two CGI characters of Rocket Raccoon and Groot who were brilliantly voiced by Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel. Cooper's vocal portrayal was so perfect for the character; and even though Groot only said "Groot" Diesel added depth and character to every "Groot" spoken.
These two also seemed to get the better scene's like the one where they're planning to escape but are wondering how they can get one of the escape plans components. While they are talking about this Groot just goes and gets it. Then when the action starts it's always Rocket you look to because this Racoon loves his weapons with a passion verging on obsession.
Respect to the actors who portrayed the hero's as they all did a great job it's not their fault there wasn't much scope for character growth. I just think that Marvel is coming close to stereotyping themselves. They could do with spreading their wings a little wider.
With that in mind, it would be nice to have a villain who isn't trying to conquer or destroy worlds, we've seen it before. when we finally get to the much hinted at and waited for Thanos what will he be doing? Oh yes, probably looking to destroy or conquer the world.
Then there's the awesome 80's soundtrack courtesy of Peter Quill's walkman... where does' he get the batteries from? Probably that's what the Ravagers were stealing on Earth when they picked him up. The director uses the soundtrack to it's greatest potential. Well done.
All in all, it's a well told and fantastically rendered story, though all too familiar, with great action sequences, so leave your brain at the door and enjoy.