A fun rocking Sci-Fi experience which rarely lets up the pace.

Rating: 9/10 (14 August 2014)

I was not familiar with the characters from this aspect of the Marvel Universe so perhaps went and saw the film with less excitement than some. Only the recent Captain America has worked for me of the more recent Marvel efforts, but GOTG really hit the mark.
Revolving around a group of down on their luck mercenaries, one of whom was once kidnapped from earth as depicted in the prologue, this disparaging group are thrown together to try and save the universe getting mixed up in all sorts of adventures along the way. Its set in a universe you believe is real, so there is always a sense of jeopardy (unlike in say an Expendables movie)
This is a film that you can watch alone from others in the Marvel Universe without having to understand their relevance on impact on the characters depicted here. What you have in this film is strongly written, humorous well acted, character driven action adventure Sci-Fi romp that squarely points out to you from the get go that it doesn't take itself too seriously.
The CGI fx work here feels more in place and less overwhelming than more recent efforts, but there is such great attention to detail in every other aspect of the movies Production design as well that there is so much to be savored and enjoyed on screen beyond the top notch cast all of whom are excellent (Including Vin Diesel who as mutant tree creature 'Root' is at his least wooden) Fears that Zoe Salanda playing a green alien would be retreading her recent Avatar role are unfounded as she couldn't be more different but Chris Pratt leads the troop with bags of charisma as Star Lord (Finally!)
This is a film about likable anti heroes who don't want to save the day but end up doing it anyway. The supporting cast of stand outs such as John C Reilly, Michael Rooker, Glen Close and many more are all great. It's a film you may want to watch again and almost certainly own.
Yes I got the bit at the end, only because I saw that film in the 1980s!